If you are looking to hunt when the deer are most active during the day, you want to go during the peak rut.
There is no exact date, but you can narrow it down quite a bit.
Mule deer rut times are based on a biological process called photoperiodism. This is when an animal changes behaviour or characteristics based on the amount of daylight in a 24 hour period.
Contrary to popular belief, the timing of mule deer rut is not based on the cold weather.
When Do Mule Deer Rut in Alberta?
Alberta Mule Deer peak rut is typically from November 11th to November 16th.
This is the estrus period which is when breeding conditions are at their highest peak.
A great read on all the stages of rutting in Western Canada.
Do mule deer and whitetail rut at the same time?
Yes, Mule Deer and Whitetail Deer both generally rut at the same time. In Alberta, this occurs in November.
In Summary
- Mule Deer rut in November in Alberta.
- Whitetail Deer and Mule Deer rut around the same time.
- Rutting is driven by photoperiodism, not the cold. This is a biological process based on shorter amounts of daylight.
- Hunting during the peak rut is a great strategy. This is when the bucks are more active and easier to find. They are looking for a doe that is eager to mate.
