I hunt the whitetail rut every year in the N.E. corner of the state. Have for about 20 years now,nothing like it...Its awsome. Up there the rut seems to hit its peak around Nov. 11 through the 18th .The weather can have a pretty dramatic affect on them up there......warmer-later, colder- sooner. Just a rough average, I hunt them with a rifle although the last 4 I've shot have been within 40 yards. You should do it ....it's a whole lot of fun.