<P> Outdoors writer Charles Alsheimer has done research demonstrating the white - tailed deer rut is also controlled by the lunar phase and that the rut peaks seven days after the second full moon during October and November (the rutting moon), while elk begin rutting during the September equinox autumnal equinox on 21 September . </P> <P> A white - tail doe may be in estrus for up to 72 hours, and may come into estrus up to seven times if she does not mate . Cow may come into estrus up to four or more times if they do not mate . </P> <P> The rut can start as early as the end of September, and can last all the way through the winter months . Bucks usually begin to start this process when the velvet is falling off their antlers, and it can last all the way until they start to shed their antlers . The peak of the rut, however, is right in the middle . The average peak day for the white - tail rut in the U.S. is November 13 . Around this period of time, the bucks and does are very active, with the rut in full swing . For a hunter sitting in a tree stand at this time of the year, it is not uncommon to see many deer pass through his specific area, due to other deer chasing others . </P> <P> There are many behaviors a buck will exhibit during the rut . During pre-rut, bucks will spar with each other . Sparring is low - intensity aggressive behavior, involving mostly pushing and shoving . Bucks of different sizes will do this to each other . After pre-rut is finished, a buck will rub his antlers on a tree (thus making a "rub"), and make scrapes on the ground with his hooves: both of these are ways a buck will mark his territory and proclaim his dominance for other bucks to see . These activities are usually done at night . </P>

When is mating season for white tailed deer