Exactly goherd1111, the rut is determined by the does...bucks are ready and will dog does from now through the actual rut. (The rut is the period of time when does come into estrous for breeding purposes) The bucks are getting anxious and will push a doe when a doe wants nothing to do with the bucks. This is not the rut, this is prerut and prechase phase. The true chase phase when does start coming into estrous is suppose to be 3 days following the 2nd full moon in the Autumn Equinox and although I don't belive this is exact science, I do know in PA the "rut" is not happening. A week ago I watched a 4 point grunting up a storm and dogging every doe in the field. THIS IS NOT THE RUT, just some over zealous youngster.

Don't mistake a buck chasing a doe as THE RUT, I don't believe it to be here yet. Sure a few does may come into early estrous and for that I agree with MOWTOWN,

Right now it is smart to be in the woods every chance you get, like I said the bucks are anxious and each day that passes it's going to increase. The best days are yet to come but one never knows. You can't take them if your not out there. If I had only 3 days to hunt all year it'd be in the first or second week of Nov......

You said the Midwest right, so to quote the Drury's (not gods but have taken some monster bucks) "We've harvested more mature bucks the 3 days of Nov 8 thru the 10th." That period over the 26 seasons I've been bowhunting indicate just prior to PEAK RUT (PEAK ESTROUS) (LOCKDOWN).