There is much wisdom in what Antler Eater writes, and I concur completely.

I hunt Southern Illinois each year, and every season someone will come out and say "This year, the rut will kick in ______." You fill in the blank; it seems to change each year depending upon myriad conditions. I can tell you with some authority, based upon years of experience and paying some pretty hefty taxidermy bills, that I don't care what anyone says, don't try to find me the week leading up to Nov. 11th, no matter what's going on. That's the magic week for our area, and I don't care what phase the moon is in.