Deer mating season, often called the "rut," generally occurs from late September to December, with a peak around October in many deer species. This timing aligns with the shortening days and cooling temperatures of autumn, which trigger hormonal changes in deer to prepare for reproduction.
- For white-tailed deer in North America, the rut usually happens from mid-October through mid-November, sometimes influenced by lunar phases.
- Red deer have a rutting season from late September to early November.
- Moose and elk also breed in autumn, typically peaking around late September to early October.
- Some species like the sambar deer and barasingha have longer or year-round mating periods but tend to peak around September to January.
During the rut, males (bucks or stags) display behaviors such as antler fights, territorial marking, and vocalizations to attract females (does or hinds). In southern parts of deer ranges, mating can occur later, extending into January or February for some species. In summary, deer mating season is broadly from late September through December, with some variation depending on species and geographical location.
