tatonka

Are you going up to hunt deer with a bow in the Edmonton area?

Sounds to me like you are asking two questions "when is the peak of the rut in Edmonton bow zone" and "when is the best time to be hunting there".

If you are bow hunting, you are probably sitting in a tree stand waiting for a buck to come into range. In the "peak of the rut" the best tree could be anytime and anywhere. If you are looking at buck sign and trying to find the best tree to sit, the "peak" is the worst time for that to find that tree.

Bucks make rubs and scrapes before the "peak" and may revisit them after the "peak". During the "peak" they will be with a doe somewhere or with some does checking for a hot one.

I like to hunt (and rattle and call) before the peak and after the peak. Not to say that sitting in a funnel all day is not a good way to kill a big buck during the niddle of Nov.

To answer your first question the "peak" of the rut around Edmonton will not be too much different than where you live. Most people say "around the middle of Nov."

Robin down under