I wonder why so many are experiencing a lame rut this year.... I was quite surprised in my area that the rut was very low key this year. Usually I have several scrapes and rub lines in my stand area. This year I had two scrapes and only one stayed active up to peak rut. I have been seeing way less deer this year as well. The land adjacent to where I hunt is always corn but this year no corn was planted. I thought for sure this would have a positive effect on deer sighting, but that theory went out the window quick. Not sure what it is. Another week or so the deer should be calmed down a bit and hitting peak late rut. We'll see.

What are any of you using for scent/rattling? I don't rattle much in late season based on the theory that bucks are feeding more than fighting/breeding simply because the second estrus cycle isn't as intense as the first. Could be wrong though. I use the grunt call as well, but again, not as intense as in the first rut.