How To Hunt The Whitetail Rut

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Navigate the Whitetail Rut

I'm really excited to bring you our third installment in our Web Class Series: How To Hunt The Whitetail Rut. Hunting all 6 phases of the annual whitetail rut can be highly successful with effective scouting, stand setup and mature buck hunting practices. Once the forecast, tracking and strategy of the whitetail rut has been completed, it is time to forecast the best days to hunt during the rut and then hit the woods! The bucks will be ready - but will you?I am thankful that you are considering this class to guide you on the path towards becoming a more consistently successful rut hunter, for the rest of your life.By the end of this web class, you will have learned the knowledge necessary to navigate not only the 7-10 day peak rut, but the entire 45 day window of rut opportunity.

Jeff playing rut poker screengrab

Learn from an innovator in Whitetail Hunting Strategies since 1986

Featuring 10 online video lessons in over 3 hours of video grouped into 3 modules. You will learn:
- All original, whitetail rut tactics and strategies that are actually effective in the real world, anywhere a whitetail roams
- That the rut offers 45 days of hunting opportunity
- What playing poker in the rut woods means for whitetails
- When the rut begins and ends, including the incredible 2nd rut and 3rd rut
- Tactics to navigate the rut weather rollercoaster
- What the rut timeline is and how to hunt all 6 phases of the rut
- How to score the sit to maximize an entire high value day of rut hunting opportunity through defined morning and evening stand locations
- What Calls to use during the rut and at which time

... and much, much more!



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Your Instructor

Jeff Sturgis takes decades of pursuing his passion, and then professionally transfers those pursuits into the enhancement of his client’s, reader's and viewer's hunting and habitat experiences, across the entire country. Jeff prides himself in creating the healthiest free-ranging deer herds in the world of whitetails, as well as taking on the challenge of hunting the oldest bucks in the neighborhood. Jeff has been able to create, own, operate and build a successful business in the whitetail industry by focusing on the teachings of his advanced whitetail strategies, since 2005.Jeff received the QDMA's Deer Manager of the Year award in 2004, and hasn't stopped learning since. After studying and creating over 1500 whitetail videos and articles, as well as working on over 1100 client lands and counting across 26 whitetail states, Jeff is in a league of his own when it comes to the ability to design your advanced habitat, herd and hunt opportunities - anywhere a whitetail roams!


Thanks Jeff. I just had 2 weeks off due to covid19. We made tremendous progress implementing all your knowledge. completely changed how I look at my land.
—Stu

You just changed my perceptions again. Huge step up for me. Thanks for this info.
—Jason

I have no idea where you find the time to film, write, teach, visit 100 properties... and kill 4 monster bucks! Kudos to you Jeff, you’re a machine!!
—Nick

I know you've probably mentioned one particular thing in this video several times, but for some reason it finally clicked with me today. Thank you, thank you!!
—John S

Without Jeff, I would have invested a lot of cash and sweat equity to yield poor results at best. Thanks for sharing the wisdom!!!
—Mike

Love these informative videos, Thanks Jeff!
—Norm Y

Never get tired of hearing from my deer hunting coach! ☺ I hope you get one or two of those Monsters!
—Allen

I love your videos. I think I have watched every one at least twice. I just love your practical advice, with no hype or showboat... Keep up the great work.
—Steven

Jeff, big thanks for this video. Last year I abandoned the plots and got the does to leave, and the mature bucks returned right away.
—Buck

You help us out more than you know. Read all the books and love implementing your techniques. Thanks again from Mississippi!
—Hunter

Course Curriculum

1. Incredible Whitetail Rut Opportunities
45 Days of Rut Opportunity! (07:07)
Playing Poker In The Rut Woods (18:34)
When The Rut Begins (16:57)
The Incredible 2nd Rut (12:31)
2. How To Track And Hunt The Rut
Rut Timeline-How To Hunt Each Phase (26:50)
When To Hunt Core or Non Core Bucks (14:01)
Rut Weather Rollercoaster (16:34)
3. Whitetail Rut Sit Management
The Morning Sit Advantage (31:21)
All Day Rut Sit Management (14:34)
What Calls To Use During the Rut (25:20)

Rut bonuses

PLUS: Exclusive bonuses worth $60+ for the Whitetail Rut Class!

Exclusive WHS Hat

Most deer hunters love hats, and we know you will enjoy this exclusive, high quality hat made exclusively for this web class! Hopefully you will want to collect them all!

$30 Value

A signed hard copy of Jeff's book, All Weather Whitetails

Your copy of All Weather Whitetails will be personally signed by Jeff and mailed to your shortly after your purchase.
a $30 Value

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the course start and finish?

The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.

How long do I have access to the course?

After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.

What do I need to access the course?

If you have an Internet connection and a modern web browser, you'll be able to view the content.

Can I download the course for offline use?

Not at this time but please let us know if this is something you need. We might be able to make accommodations due to your circumstances (eg spotty/slow Internet, plane trip, etc.).

Is the course available on other formats (eg DVD, audio only).

Not at this time. However, please let us know if this is something you would find useful.

Are there closed-captions / transcript available?

Not yet, but please let us know so we can make accommodations.

What if I am unhappy with the course? Is there any refunds?

If you are unsatisfied, please let us know so we can address your concern.

I purchased the class—how do I login?

After you purchase the class, you will be prompted to create a password to this website and setup your account. If you forgot your password please try resetting it.

What Others Are Saying


Jeff, Thank you for all your information you provide!!! I started watching your videos last September and have gone 360 degrees on my food plots… going with the buckwheat thru summer to help my soil ( been set aside ground for 20yrs) then bassicas and greens for fall. The mock scrapes/vines are great. Thank you for everything you have taught me!!
Not a rookie whitetail hunter but always willing to learn… lol

Thanks again
Marc S

Mark S

Greetings Jeff, Thank you for all of your shared knowledge, i have literally watched every u-tube video you have shared. I live in Drums Pa. 18222. I recently purchased a small plot of 5 acres which borders approximately 400 acres of privately owned wooded area. I have hunted for over 20 years in this area harvesting great bucks every year, I am also surrounded by hundreds of acres of corn / soybean fields, with that said, As I am a green horn planter I exclusively use your Techniques of Hinge cutting / layering rye with huge success. I currently plant 1 acre of rye and 1 acre of white clover around my new house which covers the remaining acres, my thoughts with the clover is aesthetically looks great, better than standard grass. I am learning that these types of plots are holding the deer and turkeys year round. I let both plots grow to seed for fawning and poult cover, I will cut 1st week of August then start cycle all over again, Bottom line is, Thank you so much for "free" training, its the best. If ever your in my neck of the woods i would love to meet you and assist you in any way! Sincerely, John

John M- Pennsylvania

My son and I had Jeff come out in early August 2022. We worked on the plan he provided us and finished it up the second week of September. We improved some bedding areas, combined 2 smaller food plots into one large plot, and created a deer trail all the way around the property to tie everything together. We hung several cameras on this trail; each over a mock scrape. We instantly noticed several deer using this trail. By thickening up the center of the property, a couple of nice bucks started to use our place as their new home. This provided me with the opportunity to take this nice 10 point the second week of November. He was a local buck on our 40 acres, and we had several daytime pictures of him. We had been working on our property for about five years and thought we were on the right track. However, by having Jeff come out to help us improve our habitat plan, we realized we needed to make some changes. Now we are very confident that we have a great deer hunting property now. Phil and Matt R, Central Michigan

Phil R- Michigan

“Thanks buddy!! I'm so looking forward to future hunts, especially after we finish getting property setup from your recommendations. Just need to finish the bedding areas and interior paths. I can see a big difference already from last season!”

Mike W- Ohio

I am writing to thank Whitetail Habitat Solutions and Kevan Smith, my habitat consultant, for the outstanding analysis and plan he developed on 01 March 2025. I am a retired Naval officer and recently took the leap from public land hunting to buying my 30-acre parcel in late 2023 and luckily purchased the adjacent 30-acre parcel the week before Kevan’s visit. I was initially hesitant not being able to book Jeff (as my property is in western Maryland), but Kevan exceeded all expectations. He skillfully assessed my property as we walked around and upon completion provided me with a masterful strategy and map of how to hunt the property, stand locations, as well as where and what to plant in my food plots. He took the time to explain everything in great detail to ensure my understanding as well as defining the order of the tasks necessary to improve my hunting property. I’ve had to miss many hunting seasons throughout my 22-year Naval career and want to take full advantage of the seasons I have left. Kevan’s advice will enable me to maximize this opportunity. Not only has his guidance prevented wasted years in trial and error by having the wrong stand locations, access routes or incorrect food plots, it will save money by not undertaking unnecessary tree cutting or wasted time on erroneous habitat improvements. It truly was a master class – and specifically tailored to my hunting property. I strongly encourage anyone on the fence about hiring Kevan for your habitat consultant to get off that fence right now and book him today!

Brian - MD

How To Hunt The Whitetail Rut

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