Many bucks in VA have already shed their antlers due to the dramatic decrease in their testosterone and therefore it is highly unlikely this is due to rutting activity. These late season scrapes and rubs are merely bucks moving back into their winter ranges from their rutting locations and are marking their territory. This years rut began the first full moon following the fall equinox as it does every year and it did fall later than it did last year, however, I don't really think it occurs later every year