I always thought the rut was triggered by aphotosensitivity. As they day get shorter things kick in. But like solunar tables and things like that I figure the best time to kill a deer is when your in the woods. I've shot deer during the peak full moon when it was light enough to read and I've shot them after nights that were darker than my wifes heart.
Personally I like the first week of november here as the bucks are still looking and not following some doe that will be prime shortly.