Mid-South
Zone-variablePeak rut dates in Arkansas.
Arkansas's rut runs early November in the Ozarks to late November in the Coastal Plain — the spread depends on which side of the state you hunt.
Peak breeding window: Nov 8 – Nov 16 → Nov 18 – Nov 28
Rut phases by zone
Pre-rut, peak, post-rut, late.
Peak Breeding column is highlighted — that's when most does are in estrus.
| Zone | Pre-rut | Peak breeding | Post-rut | Late rut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozarks & Northwest Arkansas | Oct 25 – Nov 7 | Nov 8 – Nov 16 | Nov 17 – Nov 30 | Dec 5 – Dec 18 |
| Delta | Oct 30 – Nov 12 | Nov 13 – Nov 22 | Nov 23 – Dec 6 | Dec 11 – Dec 24 |
| Coastal Plain (Southern) | Nov 5 – Nov 17 | Nov 18 – Nov 28 | Nov 29 – Dec 12 | Dec 17 – Dec 30 |
Zone
Ozarks & Northwest Arkansas
Peak breeding
Nov 8 – Nov 16
Pre-rut
Oct 25 – Nov 7
Post-rut
Nov 17 – Nov 30
Late rut
Dec 5 – Dec 18
Zone
Delta
Peak breeding
Nov 13 – Nov 22
Pre-rut
Oct 30 – Nov 12
Post-rut
Nov 23 – Dec 6
Late rut
Dec 11 – Dec 24
Zone
Coastal Plain (Southern)
Peak breeding
Nov 18 – Nov 28
Pre-rut
Nov 5 – Nov 17
Post-rut
Nov 29 – Dec 12
Late rut
Dec 17 – Dec 30
What drives the rut here
Arkansas's whitetail rut shows meaningful regional variation. Ozark and northwestern bucks peak earliest, with the Delta peaking in mid-to-late November and the southern Coastal Plain running latest. AGFC publishes deer-zone-specific data and refines peak conception windows through fetal-rate analysis of hunter-harvested does.
Source
Data sourced from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission deer-program reports and biologist-published rut summaries.
Arkansas Game and Fish CommissionAlways verify with the official agency before basing planning decisions on this page. Peak windows shift year to year.
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