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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panhandle / North TX | Oct 28 – Nov 8 | Nov 8 – Nov 16 | Nov 16 – Nov 28 | Nov 28 – Dec 8 |
| East Texas | Nov 5 – Nov 18 | Nov 18 – Nov 28 | Nov 28 – Dec 10 | Dec 10 – Dec 25 |
| Hill Country / Central | Nov 8 – Nov 22 | Nov 22 – Dec 3 | Dec 3 – Dec 18 | Dec 18 – Jan 5 |
| South Texas | Nov 25 – Dec 15 | Dec 15 – Jan 5 | Jan 5 – Jan 20 | Jan 20 – Feb 5 |
| Far West TX (Trans-Pecos) | Nov 15 – Dec 1 | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Dec 15 – Jan 5 | Jan 5 – Jan 22 |
Statewide timing.
| Region | Pre-Rut | Seeking | Peak Rut | Post-Rut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Bighorn (Trans-Pecos) | Nov 20 – Dec 8 | Dec 8 – Dec 18 | Dec 18 – Jan 8 | Jan 8 – Jan 25 |
Statewide timing.
| Region | Pre-Rut | Seeking | Peak Rut | Post-Rut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trans-Pecos | Nov 20 – Dec 5 | Dec 5 – Dec 20 | Dec 20 – Jan 5 | Jan 5 – Jan 20 |
Statewide timing.
| Region | Pre-Rut | Seeking | Peak Rut | Post-Rut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trans-Pecos/Panhandle | Sep 8 – Sep 22 | Sep 22 – Oct 2 | Oct 2 – Oct 14 | Oct 14 – Oct 28 |
Statewide timing.
| Region | Peak Strut |
|---|---|
| Statewide | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |