RE: Why would one see "Less" deer during the rut?
Timing.
Timing is everything to a property. Some properties are great for only 2 weeks of the year. Some are only good with snow.. some are hot in September and October.. and others are only good at morning.
Like in life.. timing is everything with whitetail.
Know your land.. and hunt it hard and smart when the deer are there. Cause when they are not there it kinda sucks.