Maryland rut phase dates for the 2026 season. Eastern Shore is one of 2 distinct rut zones in Maryland — timing here runs on its own schedule.
| Region | Pre-Rut | Seeking | Peak Rut | Post-Rut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Shore | Oct 20 – Nov 1 | Nov 1 – Nov 10 | Nov 10 – Nov 20 | Nov 20 – Nov 30 |
Hunting a different part of the state? Peak dates shift.
| Region | Pre-Rut | Seeking | Peak Rut | Post-Rut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Shore ← you are here | Oct 20 – Nov 1 | Nov 1 – Nov 10 | Nov 10 – Nov 20 | Nov 20 – Nov 30 |
| Western MD | Oct 25 – Nov 5 | Nov 5 – Nov 13 | Nov 13 – Nov 22 | Nov 22 – Dec 1 |