I believe the rut is here!
scrapes that weren't there two weeks ago are there! i found just bunches of scrapes yesterday . one that had branches chewed up and shredded about 6' up and had fresh wet dirt !
doe sightings are down i think because the bucks are pressuring them . i have found that in the early rut all bucks just pester the crap out of any doe. so they stay to thick cover. they are also moving at night alot. last night coming home i saw lots of deer on the highway. and the night movement will only get worse with the movement of the city into the woods. the first weekend IMO your best chance is the first day in the first few hours. after the war begins they sometimes seem to lay up.
personally i have always had the best luck about two to three weeks into the season when the wannabes get tired and GO HOME!
But there is definitely love in the air for the deer with the number of scrapes and fresh rubs i have seen. i know of a few that have seen chasing already but that isnt surprising cause there are does that have already been bred for a few weeks.
But anyway it's time to go get after it. i have already seen one shooter yesterday and if he returns saturday he will be shot!
Good luck to all and if you can get as far away from other folks as you can and you might just have luck.