I hunt Maryland whitetails...the peak of the rut here, I believe, is November 13. My best time to start rattling antlers, {with a good buck to doe ratio}, is October 21. It is best to hunt 3 days before an 3 days after the peak of the rut --- with any unbred does --- coming back into heat, 30 days later. First yearling does, will come into estrous on the second peak.
As you travel further south...the peak of the rut occurs on a later date, with the Key deer on the Florida Keys, coming into first estrous in January.
