as far as the rut goes it is a fluctuating thing it cannot be completely scientifically predicted. i would be looking for some rutting action to begin in the 2nd to the 3rd week of October and i would look for the primary rut to be winding down about the second to the third week of november. i have found the most rutting activity to be seen the first week of november into the 2nd week of november. this is when i use estrous scents with bleats only when i see a buck. i have not had luck with blind calling with this method. pre-rut i like to use rattles and grunts in both blind situations and in situations where i have a buck in view. like 130 said trial and error what works one day will not necessarily work the other and in one area what may be dynamite might simply bomb in another.

one thing to remember is that you will not learn unless you are sitting in the woods. take this first year to observe primarily learn as much as you can and then try some tricks or experiments to see what works for you in your situation.