it is definetly the pre-rut right now. Our rut up here is usually at its peak the last few days of november and the first few days of december. For some reason the rut in north carolina begins on the coast and ends in the mountains where i am at. They rut down there in mid-october, but here we have a really late rut on the mountain. The bucks here have just now within the last couple weeks split up and beagn laying down sign. But it is exciting to get on this buck, and he's obviously a pretty good one judging by the rubs. I think I may take your advice on not using the scent, since he is frequenting the area. Would ya'll hunt maybe 3-4 evenings and if no luck seeing him, risk going in early one morning???