Generally, the cruising/seeking phase is the 10 days to two weeks prior to peak breeding. This is when older to mature bucks are most active during daylight, often being constantly on their feet looking for the first receptive does and covering long distances.

Peak breeding, which is usually 10 days to two weeks, is also known as "lockdown" by hunters because this period is when the maximum number of does are in estrus at the same time (more than 50% of all does will be bred during this period), hence competition between bucks for breeding rights is lowest, and most of the older bucks are bedded down with estrus does in thick cover.

Many locations actually see the most chasing right after peak breeding. Does are still coming into estrus during the two weeks following peak breeding, but far less than than during peak breeding, resulting in far more competition between bucks for breeding rights. This competition forces bucks to chase estrus does even in daylight hours, when hunters will see them. Some of these chases will even involve mutiple bucks chasing one doe.

In locations with mature bucks, there will often be a brief second seeking/cruising phase of the rut just as the whole process winds down, as mature bucks seek the last receptive does, and can again be seen cruising in daylight from scrape to scrape. This is usually 4 to 6 weeks after the first seeking/cruising phase.