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How Long Does The Rut Last In Louisiana ?
Posted on 12/19/25 at 7:17 am
Posted on 12/19/25 at 7:17 am
We are running several cell cams on our land and from the deer behavior it seems like our rut only lasted about "two weeks".
We are already seeing bachelor groups of bucks packing up, traveling/feeding together.
Does that seem normal ? We are in North La on the border of Lincoln/Union parishes
We are already seeing bachelor groups of bucks packing up, traveling/feeding together.
Does that seem normal ? We are in North La on the border of Lincoln/Union parishes
8
Posted on 12/19/25 at 7:28 am to The Torch
Deer in LA rut anywhere from October to March depending on where you are. I start in north la around thanksgiving and work my way south as the season progresses. My favorite time to hunt is in February. I see a lot of rutting action at that time, but that’s further south near my house. I wish they would push the season in that area to March 1st.
This season has been slower so far. I haven’t been finding as much sign as past years, and haven’t seen the amount of deer either.
ETA: I think it lasts longer than people typically think. I think it’s closer to a month or so. I think it’s a much slower, more drawn out rut than places like the Midwest.
This season has been slower so far. I haven’t been finding as much sign as past years, and haven’t seen the amount of deer either.
ETA: I think it lasts longer than people typically think. I think it’s closer to a month or so. I think it’s a much slower, more drawn out rut than places like the Midwest.
This post was edited on 12/19/25 at 7:50 am
Posted on 12/19/25 at 7:38 am to The Torch
I feel like it starts around Christmas and into first 2 weeks of January. We hunt in St. Francisville.
Posted on 12/19/25 at 8:27 am to A_bear
quote:
I think it’s a much slower, more drawn out rut than places like the Midwest
That's how it is in east feliciana. We see bucks running does a little and doing normal rut things. But it's never really a super intense rut
Posted on 12/19/25 at 8:41 am to The Torch
REB BEER hunts in that area (Simmsboro) and will likely chime in with his personal experience
Posted on 12/19/25 at 8:47 am to The Torch
On average it’s gonna be about two weeks, and the peak date will depend on the genetics of the area. It isn’t influenced by weather or the moon, it’s a genetic response to photoperiod that can be lengthened or shifted if there are way too many does or a screwed up age structure.
If deer density is too high or age structure out of whack, you will see a very watered down rut that is spaced out over several weeks, with does coming back in if they don’t get bred the first time. If the bucks in your area get real fired up then just go back to normal quickly, it’s a good sign you or at least folks in the general area are managing things fairly well.
If deer density is too high or age structure out of whack, you will see a very watered down rut that is spaced out over several weeks, with does coming back in if they don’t get bred the first time. If the bucks in your area get real fired up then just go back to normal quickly, it’s a good sign you or at least folks in the general area are managing things fairly well.
Posted on 12/19/25 at 9:16 am to The Torch
Like BLAZE said, I do hunt up that way. But once dog season starts I don't spend much time in that area. My son watched 2 good bucks chasing the same doe, making scrapes, and grunting at each other on Nov. 18th and killed a good 8 point. Usually, the peak time seems to be anytime from the week before Thanksgiving through the week after.
From what I've read, the disparity in peak rut dates around Louisiana has to do with where the deer were originally from that were reintroduced in the state in the 1960's.
A lot of it also has to do with buck to doe ratio. You may already know, but an unbred doe will come into estrous every 28 days. If you have does that don't get bred on the first go round, the bucks will be chasing on the next cycle.
Here's a pretty good read from Miss State explaining a lot of it.
Rut Explained
From what I've read, the disparity in peak rut dates around Louisiana has to do with where the deer were originally from that were reintroduced in the state in the 1960's.
A lot of it also has to do with buck to doe ratio. You may already know, but an unbred doe will come into estrous every 28 days. If you have does that don't get bred on the first go round, the bucks will be chasing on the next cycle.
Here's a pretty good read from Miss State explaining a lot of it.
Rut Explained
Posted on 12/19/25 at 9:25 am to A_bear
Totally agree!
Posted on 12/19/25 at 9:32 am to The Torch
I’ve never seen a “rut” in Louisiana like you see on tv. Same thing where I hunt in MS now.
I believe the buck to doe ratio is so outta whack on regular hunting grounds that it’s more so a “trickle rut”. Meaning a couple does can come into heat in October then some in November then some in December.
Traditionally around Thanksgiving is when I’ve seen rutting behavior around Winnfield area the most. Towards the latter part of the season is my favorite time to hunt especially durning a harsh winter cause all the deer will be on food.
I believe the buck to doe ratio is so outta whack on regular hunting grounds that it’s more so a “trickle rut”. Meaning a couple does can come into heat in October then some in November then some in December.
Traditionally around Thanksgiving is when I’ve seen rutting behavior around Winnfield area the most. Towards the latter part of the season is my favorite time to hunt especially durning a harsh winter cause all the deer will be on food.
Posted on 12/19/25 at 9:37 am to WillFerrellisking
quote:
latter part of the season
We have a green field they are hammering at night, that's where I'm getting pictures of groups of bucks 3, 4, 5 at a time hanging out together like the rut is over.
Posted on 12/19/25 at 9:53 am to TheDrunkenTigah
Looks about right for my place in Webster. I shot a good 8 point this year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving that was the most swole up nasty black back leg thing I've ever seen. He was IN IT TO WIN IT. Had been fighting. Came out grunting.
Posted on 12/19/25 at 7:43 pm to The Torch
Till March
Posted on 12/19/25 at 8:00 pm to WillFerrellisking
quote:
Traditionally around Thanksgiving is when I’ve seen rutting behavior around Winnfield area the most
We hunt just south of Winnfield. It was early this year by a week. Sucked bc I camp the whole week of thanksgiving every year.
Posted on 12/19/25 at 8:32 pm to The Torch
You will have a two week rut if the sex ratio is tight. I hunted a 9,500 acre property in Mississippi for years. We were on DMAP and smashed the does. Our rut lasted about ten days. Seeing three to five bucks chasing a doe wasn’t uncommon. The bucks would brawl and would respond to rattling and grunts.
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