Realtree's Deer Hunting Forecast | November 13-19
Posted 2024-11-12 by
Though many hunters have been plagued by warm weather, it's peak rut across most of the country right now, and the lunar forecast looks great
If it seems like a few days were skipped between our last deer hunting forecast and this one, you’re not dreaming. Our excuse? Well, it’s deer season and we’ve been in the woods, where the internet service isn’t always great. But despite weather forecasts that have been largely abysmal for November, the rut is kicking across most of the country, and big bucks are on the move right now.
With the exception of a few areas in the Deep South and Southwest regions, where the rut is still several weeks away, our rut reporters have been checking in with tales of mule deer and whitetails alike running amuck over the past few days, and there are even a few reports of bucks already locking down with does in some regions. Firearms seasons are open or about to open in many states, and hunters are out enjoying the season in force.
WEATHER AND MOON PHASE
The moon phase will be waxing gibbous this week to Saturday, the 16th, when it’ll be full. If ever there were a time to be in the stand midday, it’s during the next 10 days. The full moon often spurs a flurry of late-morning deer movement, and of course the rut can make things happen at any moment. Indeed, Realtree’s Fish and Game Forecaster predicts good to excellent movement for the next several days, with peak “excellent” movement conditions predicted between 11 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. through Monday, the 18th. If we were to complain, the weather forecast could be better. Much of the country is still enduring an extended spell of above-average temperatures, and another major rain event is forecast to develop over the middle of the country this week. Still, all things considered the hunting is about as good as it’s likely to get right now. Overall we give this week’s deer hunting forecast a full five stars out of five.
REGIONAL HUNTING UPDATES
Midwest Region reporter Darron McDougal says mature bucks in his home state of Wisconsin began locking down with does on Nov. 7, but he thinks they’ll be broken loose and moving in full force again any time now. McDougal’s sources checked in from Ohio, Kansas, South Dakota, Illinois, and Nebraska this week. Though some have struggled during recent heavy rains, the takeaway right now is the same: the rut is on full swing in the Midwest, but it won’t last forever. If you’re holding a buck tag, better get out there and hunt.
READ THE FULL MIDWEST RUT REPORT HERE
Stephanie Mallory’s Southeast Region report from this week included feedback from North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, and Arkansas. Hunters across the region were wishing for a better weather forecast given the past week’s warm weather and torrential rains, but the rut is firing on all cylinders in most of the region. Many areas of the South were suffering from ongoing drought, so the recent rains were welcome. And despite the warm weather, hunters have reported success, particularly in the final hour of daylight during evening sits.
READ THE FULL SOUTHEAST RUT REPORT HERE
Northeast Region reporter Tim Kent says the rut is on in his home state of New York and elsewhere in the region, and that many of the area’s biggest bucks are already locked down with receptive does. As much as we anticipate the rut, Kent says that hunting it comes with plenty of challenges. As with other regions of the country, Northeastern hunters have had to contend with warmer-than-usual weather lately, and the unpredictable nature of the rut, combined with hunting pressure, can make for some slow and extended sits. As is the case everywhere, logging extended hours in the stand is the key to successful hunting.
READ THE FULL NORTHEAST RUT REPORT HERE
Jackie Holbrook says the mule deer rut is on across the Northwest. Although snowfall has been minimal to this point across the region and daytime highs are still hitting the 60s fairly often, bucks are chasing does non-stop right now. Holbrook reported seeing rutting muleys in her yard and at the bus stop this week, and her contacts across Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming have reported much the same. The whitetail action, meanwhile, seems to be a few days behind the mule deer action. Deer seasons will be winding down soon in much of the Northwest so if you’re still holding a tag, make the most of it.
READ THE FULL NORTHWEST RUT REPORT HERE
Colorado outfitter and Southwest Region reporter Miles Fedinec says the mule deer rut is hopping in his region, and a recent heavy snowstorm put much of it on display for hunters to see. Fedinec says that throughout Colorado, Utah, and Nevada, big mule deer bucks are bouncing from one doe group to the next, hoping to find receptive mates. Fedinec himself is making plans to head to north-central Texas soon, where he expects the rut among the local whitetail herd to be in full swing. He added that we’re still a few weeks to more than a month out from the rut elsewhere in the Southwest, in areas such as Arizona, South Texas, and southern New Mexico.
