Coming from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I had never really experienced a true whitetail rut. Sure the deer mate, but its aboslutely nothing like the pandemonium that happens here in IL. With so few bucks of any size around, and an absolute overabundance of does, creates a really watered-down version of the rut. Now that I hunt IL, that "sweet spot" is a real thing. Spending some time in the early season to get to know the does in your area definitely pays off. If you know there are couple doe groups on your property, figure out where they spend their down time when not feeding. This info is golden during the mid-day when the rut is on.
AR, that second buck is a GIANT!