Rut Tracker 2025: Cold December Days

As December arrives, the whitetail rut gradually winds down across much of the country. The peak breeding phase is behind us, and deer behavior begins to shift as colder temperatures settle in and late-season food sources become increasingly important. While the explosive activity of November fades, this period still plays a significant role in the annual whitetail cycle and offers unique opportunities for hunters and wildlife observers. By early December, most does have already been bred, and mature bucks begin to show the effects of weeks of relentless movement.

Their travel patterns slow as energy levels drop, and they become more focused on recovery. Bucks often retreat to secure bedding cover while working to rebuild fat reserves lost during the intensity of the rut. This is when reliable food sources—cut corn, soybeans, brassicas, acorns, and winter wheat—start to draw consistent deer activity. Although peak chasing has ended, December still sees what many hunters call the “secondary rut.”

This occurs when unbred does or late-cycling yearlings come into estrus. The activity is far less widespread than the primary rut, but it can spark unexpected midday movement as bucks respond to these remaining breeding opportunities. In areas with balanced herd ratios, this secondary uptick can be noticeably more pronounced. Weather becomes a major driving factor during this stage.

Cold fronts, snow cover, and dropping temperatures tend to concentrate deer around reliable food sources, increasing predictability. Mature bucks, typically more cautious after the chaos of November, may still move in daylight when a strong weather shift pushes them to feed earlier. By late December, the rut’s influence has nearly disappeared. The whitetail world transitions fully into winter survival mode, making food and thermal cover the central focus for deer across all age classes.

For those who continue studying or pursuing whitetails into the late season, understanding these December behavioral changes is key to interpreting patterns and activity during the final stretch of the year.

Stay Sharp This Winter: Choosing the Right BIGSHOT Archery Target

Cold weather doesn’t mean your shooting season has to end. In fact, consistent practice through winter can help maintain your form, accuracy, and confidence until spring. Choosing the right target for winter conditions — when temperatures drop, moisture increases, and daylight is limited — can make your practice sessions more productive and enjoyable.

For general practice and broadhead tuning, foam block and layered targets are a solid choice. Their construction allows arrows to penetrate and hold without excessive force, while still allowing relatively easy removal in chilly conditions. Focused, repeatable practice on a reliable target keeps your fundamentals dialed in even when it’s too cold for regular field sessions.

For shooters with high kinetic speed bows or crossbows, higher-rated targets built to withstand fast arrows help reduce pass-throughs and preserve target life. These choices allow winter practice with confidence, reducing frustration that comes from arrows shooting through or deforming target faces.

3-D and animal-shaped targets are another option for cold months. They simulate real game profiles and help keep practice varied and fun when you’re not in the woods. Their lifelike shapes encourage shooters to practice different aiming points and scenarios, preserving hunting focus during the off-season.

Selecting the right target for winter practice means balancing durability, arrow holding, and ease of use — all while matching your bow type and intended practice goals.