Wisconsin deer hunters may be in a rut because the 2026 deer hunting season is occurring further away from another kind of rut, according to a report by Wisconsin Public Radio.
The state’s 9-day gun deer hunting season runs from Saturday, Nov. 21, through Sunday, Nov. 29, but since the hunt is coming after the peak of the rut, or mating season for deer, hunters might not have as many deer to harvest.
The rut is the time of year when bucks abandon their normal “out-of-sight” routines and they roam more in the daylight while looking for does to mate with.
Another factor working against hunters is the warm weather Wisconsin has experienced during most of the autumn season.
The forecast for the week leading up to the hunt is for mild temperatures, meaning the chances for snow and better tracking are diminished.
