Hunting The Illinois Whitetail Rut

April 18th, 2025 – Pike County, IL Outfitter Report – “If you are interested in a 2025 November rut hunt, now is the time to reserve your spots! If you haven’t hunted the rut in Pike County before, why wait another year!? Call 217-982-4039 or E-Mail to inquire about our guided rut hunts today!”
trophy whitetail harvested in midwest

Bow or gun hunting during the whitetail rut can be one of the most exciting times to be in the deer woods. This is traditionally the best time to be in the deer stand. As the leaves begin to fall and the weather starts to drop, mature deer start to become more and more visible during daylight hours searching for estrous does. The Illinois deer rut falls during the month of November. Hunting the Illinois deer rut can be divided up into three different hunting times: the end of the pre-rut, the rut, and the start of the post-rut.