Rut phase dates by species and region for the 2026 season. Dates are typical windows based on latitude and historical patterns. Weather and pressure shift them year to year.
Broken out by region. Timing differs by several days across the state, so check yours below.
| Region | Pre-Rut | Seeking | Peak Rut | Post-Rut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adirondacks / North | Nov 1 – Nov 12 | Nov 12 – Nov 18 | Nov 18 – Nov 28 | Nov 28 – Dec 8 |
| Central NY | Oct 28 – Nov 8 | Nov 8 – Nov 15 | Nov 15 – Nov 24 | Nov 24 – Dec 3 |
| Southern Tier / LI | Oct 24 – Nov 5 | Nov 5 – Nov 13 | Nov 13 – Nov 22 | Nov 22 – Dec 1 |
Statewide timing.
| Region | Pre-Rut | Seeking | Peak Rut | Post-Rut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adirondacks | Sep 22 – Oct 5 | Oct 5 – Oct 16 | Oct 16 – Oct 29 | Oct 29 – Nov 12 |
Statewide timing.
| Region | Peak Strut |
|---|---|
| Statewide | Apr 25 – May 15 |