Peak rut dates in Vermont.
Vermont's rut peaks November 10–20, with the Northeast Kingdom running a few days behind the Champlain Valley.
Rut phases by zone
Peak Breeding column is highlighted — that’s when most does are in estrus.
| Zone | Pre-rut | Peak Breeding | Post-rut | Late Rut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champlain Valley & Southern Vermont | Oct 25 – Nov 7 | Nov 8 – Nov 18 | Nov 19 – Dec 2 | Dec 7 – Dec 20 |
| Northeast Kingdom & Green Mountains | Oct 28 – Nov 10 | Nov 11 – Nov 20 | Nov 21 – Dec 4 | Dec 9 – Dec 22 |
Champlain Valley & Southern Vermont
Northeast Kingdom & Green Mountains
What drives the rut here
Vermont's whitetail rut peaks in mid-November. The Champlain Valley clusters slightly earlier than the Northeast Kingdom, but the difference is rarely more than a week. Vermont's Fish & Wildlife Department uses biologist field observations and fetal-rate analysis to refine these windows.
Data sourced from Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department deer-program reports.
Vermont Fish & Wildlife DepartmentAlways verify with the official agency before basing planning decisions on this page. Peak windows shift year to year.
Get rut intel for your specific land.
State-wide windows are a starting point. Bield: Hunt logs every sit, observation, and condition on your property — and turns three seasons of your data into patterns no generic calendar can match.