I would go prerut to get there when more bucks are trolling and looking and not locked up with does. I'd go the first week in Nov or the last in Oct. Bucks are ready, does are not. I'd look at those two weeks and pick the one with the darkest moon. Too early the bucks are still grouped up and you all or nothing. Later they're spreading out and trolling... many more chances of being in the right place. I don't care if it's Ohio or wherever... I prefer that time to hunt. The rut is fantastic if you catch it.... but it can also be really frustrating as all patterns go to hell.