I did not read the article. The peak of the rut depends on what your definition of peak of the rut is.

To me, the peak of the rut is the peak breeding day(s) when the most does are bred. Where I hunt, the most breeding (peak) takes place from Nov. 17th - Nov. 23rd, give or take a couple of days. If you were to graph the breeding dates of the does in your area you'd have an irregular shaped bell curve with the top (peak) coinciding with these dates.

From my experience, the most rutting activity (chasing, tending and seeking), takes place before the peak breeding dates. This is the best hunting IMO. This usually happens in my areas between Nov. 4th - Nov. 12th.

Do not confuse the most activity with the peak breeding dates as when the most does are being bred usually means less activity seen by hunters.

So, is your definition for peak of the rut...

a) Most activity
or
b) Peak breeding dates

Never give up though, because you never know when you'll catch a real dandy between does when he's searching for another one.

I have a theory that in the early part of Nov., the real strong 3 1/2s and 4 1/2s are most visible chasing and seeking does. Sometimes before they are ready. It seems that the real monsters just hang back a bit and let these youngsters tire themselves out, while they wait untile the does are ready, then they come out and take the does from the younger guys with less effort. I usually do not see the truly huge bucks until mid-Nov. and later. Just my observations.