Rut Forecast Calculator — Peak Dates by State
Find peak rut timing by species and state. Get current phase status, days until peak, moon phase overlay, and the best hunt days of the season.
Pro features available: Precise peak date predictions, 30-day extended forecast, and multi-location tracking.
Upgrade to ProRut windows are photoperiod- and latitude-based estimates, not agency season dates. Timing shifts a few days year to year and by elevation — check your state agency for legal season dates.
Season Timeline
What to Expect Now
Top 5 Hunt Days This Season
Best days combining rut phase intensity + dark moon (new/waning crescent = daytime movement boost).
30-Day Extended Forecast
ProSee every rut phase shift and top hunt day opportunities across the next 30 days, including moon phase overlays and intensity scores.
Upgrade to Pro — Unlock 30-Day ForecastCompare Multiple States
ProPlanning hunts across multiple states? Check rut timing for up to 3 states at once and compare peak windows, current phase, and days-until-peak side by side. Free: 1 state at a time.
Upgrade to Pro — Compare Multiple StatesPick up to 3 states. Each one is scored for the species and date selected at the top of the page.
Save This Location
ProSave your favorite species and state combinations for instant rut lookups. Selections are saved in this browser.
Upgrade to Pro — Save LocationsStores the species, state, and date selected above so you can reload them in one click. Saved in this browser only — these won't sync to your other devices.
Saved Selections (saved in this browser)
Understanding Rut Timing
Rut timing is driven primarily by photoperiod — the decreasing daylight hours in fall. This is why whitetail rut timing is remarkably consistent year to year (within a few days), regardless of weather. The moon phase does NOT control rut start, but it does influence daytime vs. nighttime movement intensity during the rut.
Latitude is the dominant factor for whitetail: northern states (Maine, Michigan, Minnesota) peak a few days earlier than central states, and deep-south states can have breeding activity extending into December or January. Elk rut is driven by altitude and latitude but clusters tightly in mid-September across the West.
The best strategy: hunt the pre-rut seeking phase (bucks on their feet, not locked down) and the post-peak chase window. Dead peak rut can actually slow sightings as bucks lock down with does for 24-72 hours.
Hunt planning intel, weekly
Draw deadlines, tag strategy, and updates to the Rut Forecast Calculator — one email a week.
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