I agree, another reason IL has good deer, our slug gun deer season, may open at the tail end of the rut, though usually its over or coming to an end, 2nd gun season may be prime 2nd rut, though less hunters this season and less does that are hot too. I think if any season should be during the rut, it would be muzzleloader, not gun/rifle season. Most states bow/ muzzleloader hit the rut, and rifle is well out of the rut. Personally a rifle wouldn't have helped me my last few seasons, maybe id hunt differently if i had a rifle vs a bow in my hands, though I just havent seen shooter bucks, during bow. I agree though, and also because I almost exclusively bow hunt these days that Id rather the rut take place during bow than any other season. If it is going to be rifle or muzzleloader, shorter seasons sound good. Here in IL we have a 3 day slug/gun 1st season and 4day 2nd season. Bow lasts for months......we have a late muzzleloader season, or can use muzzleloader during 2nd gun/slug season. I wish states would let the pros handle these matters, or at least take more input from hunters.