I hunt in zones 4. I have been doing more in-season scouting this year than any other year in the past 20, the last 7 here in CT.

The unusually warm weather in September pushed them into a nocturnal mode, and the deluge (15" of rain!) of October really screwed them up. I was starting to see some nice sign before the rain, but since I've been scouting 10 trips and hunting twice, and the deer just aren't in estrus yet. About 10 days ago I was still seeing does mingling with smaller bucks during midday, with no checking or chasing...

I was out Saturday hunting, although it was more like scouting as I set up on a river bank to view the opposing field corner. A nice buck, at least an 8, worked a rub line at dusk.As of last weekend, I had only seen one scrape, and that was immediately after all the rains stopped.

Haven't been out since Saturday, headed out this afternoon and tomorrow. I think the peak seeking/chasing will happen this weekend/next week, during the beginning of gun season...