RE: Never fear, 2nddary rut is near!
MO Bowhnter, the rut didn't treat me well in my hunting areas either, but I attribute some of that to all the crops being harvested much earlier than normal where I hunt and many of the deer moved on to greener pastures. I've noticed during the last few seasons, especially after our muzzleloader season is over, bucks moving more again and as the end of December nears....a big buck or two with the does. Tough thing about hunting late December/early January is that the does seemed to be protecting the big bucks..with the big boys always trailing the does when entering a woods or traveling a field edge. Being in the right area but the wrong spot with all those noses cost me a shot at a whopper buck 3 years ago after Xmas.