Hunting The Illinois Whitetail Rut

June 1st, 2023 – Pike County, IL Outfitter Report – “If you are interested in a 2023 pre-rut hunt, now is the time to book before we are completely sold out! We have a few spots remaining around the Halloween time frame during the peak of the pre-rut. Call 217-982-4039 or E-Mail to inquire about our guided rut hunts today!”
Giant whitetail taken during the rut in Illinois

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.