South Dakota · Whitetail rut
Whitetail rut dates in South Dakota.
South Dakota's whitetail rut peaks November 5–15 across East River and West River, with the Black Hills running a few days later.
Nov 5 – Nov 14 → Nov 10 – Nov 19 · South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
South Dakota's whitetail rut peaks in the first half of November across the prairies, river bottoms, and shelter belts. The Black Hills region runs a few days behind East River and West River prairie habitat due to elevation and forest cover. SD Game, Fish and Parks tracks rut windows through harvest data and biologist field reports.
Zone
East River Prairie
- Pre-rut
- Oct 23 – Nov 4
- Peak breeding
- Nov 5 – Nov 14
- Post-rut
- Nov 15 – Nov 28
- Late rut
- Dec 3 – Dec 16
Zone
West River Prairie
- Pre-rut
- Oct 25 – Nov 6
- Peak breeding
- Nov 7 – Nov 16
- Post-rut
- Nov 17 – Nov 30
- Late rut
- Dec 5 – Dec 18
Zone
Black Hills
- Pre-rut
- Oct 28 – Nov 9
- Peak breeding
- Nov 10 – Nov 19
- Post-rut
- Nov 20 – Dec 3
- Late rut
- Dec 8 – Dec 21
Source
Data sourced from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Wildlife Division deer-program reports.
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