I pay little attention to the bucks to judge the rut, I pay attention to the does tarsal gland, the darker they turn, the more sign the rut is coming into play. Bucks are always ready, seeing the matures ones during daylight hours certainly helps, this means they are up and looking but they do that in their summer pattern, no rutting activity there..lol

Very interesting and great tip Germ. I should get out there in Feb/March and pray that particular buck is around come the following season, not likely in PA.