Early rut activity

[BLUE BUCK]

While driving around at work tonight, I saw a nice 10 point and a small 8 point, both of which had their nose to the ground behind a doe. I guess the question I have is what are your thoughts about when the rut is going to hit. It seems a bit early to be seeing this type of activity, so i'm thinking things could get started earlier this year. I'm trying to schedule vacation time for rut, and if I take the normal 2nd week of November I might end up missing it. Any thoughts would be great. JTB869

 

[muddy]

it's always a gamble on when the rut will hit if you asked me. that 2nd week of november is always a good bet in my book. i think there's always a few bucks that get rammy and start chasing when the temps start to fluctuate like they are now. cold mornings to warm back to cold must stimulate their hormones or something.