Saturday, 12/7, I hunted in Rockbridge County and saw more buck activity then during the "rut". During the morning, I had two does being followed by a 5pt. All three were just browsing along, then one doe took off running and the buck was hot on her tail. I could hear him chasing her for quite a long way. About 10 minutes later had two more does coming towards me with a 6pt in tow. The does passed by within 10 yards of my treestand and the buck winded me, but didn't take off to the next county. He just circled until he caught back up with the two does. I moved to another stand around 2pm overlooking a barley field. At 2:15 a 6 pt walked right through the middle of the field with his nose in the wind. 20 minutes later 5 does come into the field followed by a spike, and two 4pts. The bucks were staying close to the does. 10 minutes later, a 6pt (may have been the same of that walked across the field)walks through the woods, stops and stares down the hill. More does go into the field and I hear lots of grunting. Out pops a massive 9pt with major mass at 70 yards following the does and chases off the spike and 4pts. He goes back to the does and they all wonder off. West of the Blue ridge is bow only, so he was always out of my bow range. It was a cold day...8 degrees when I got up and snowed some in the afternoon.

If this wasn't rut activity or "second estrous", I don't know what is...