I also hunt in southern Arkansas around the Magnolia area. Mid November I saw what I thought was the beginning of the rut. A few smaller bucks chasing does. This soon died down to nothing. During this period all the scrapes had been abandoned and the bucks were seeking and tending the does. Not a whole lot of movement since around Nov. 16 in our area. I spoke with a camp to our south and sure enough the same thing. Now with Dec. approching I see the scrapes being opened up again, which tells me that bucks are about to get looking again ( or for the first time ). I would expect to see plenty of rutting activity during the first week of Dec. due to the cooler weather that should keep them moving and the does looking for food. We had one of the best acorn crops in our area that I can ever remember. Deer didn't have to move far for food. This could be some of the reason for low sightings. Good luck to all. Hang in there. The best is yet to come.