similar to what spinner said, it depends on location...for me, here in PA, about the week of halloween is when the pre-rut chasing begins, is heightened during the first week of november, then the second week in november is the true rut...however, it comes in cycles, some years I have shot bucks with my rifle during the first week of rifle season that are hot on a trail of a doe, and that is not until the first monday AFTER thanksgiving