The rut tracker has returned! You can check it out HERE or click the link on our home page.
Within a week or two, bucks will be moving noticeably more in their search for love (otherwise known as breeding opportunities). Compared to previous years, 2025 looks to be average.
But keep in mind, averages are just that. They screen out the noise to help us see patterns. However, there is always a lot of variability among deer. For example, the graph below shows the movements of individual deer in 2025 compared to the long-term average.
For females, it’s a different story! You may want to check it out. Females are moving half the distance they usually travel this time of year. Females usually average over 1 mile per day – this year females are moving just over 1/2 a mile per day.
Is something wrong?
No, it’s just unusual. Compared to the past 12 years, 2025 appears to be on track to be an extreme year of reduced travel for females.
I’m sure there will be plenty of speculation as to why – and we may do that! We also plan to look in-depth at a few bucks and their movements over the breeding season.
We hope you will follow along with us!
2025 Deer-Forest Study Rut Tracker
-Duane Diefenbach