I also noticed in the woods today, the deer are pawing the ground up going after those little black cherries in the leaves. Seen a ton those little berries this yr.
My sightings are up this season as well, although I have yet to see a buck in the woods. Just doe & fawns. I took a doe last wknd, she was alone, and dry. No signs of any milk in her at all. I spoke to another hunter who also took a doe last wknd, and he claimed his doe was same exact way. That seemed kinda odd to me.