I would say it has been getting later here in Idaho or maybe what we are seeing here on Oct 15th for the start of rifle is the second rut.
I hunt about 15 miles from where Elknut hunts and he hunts archery and I hunt rifle.
Archery is in Sept and rifle starts Oct. 15.
I think the second rut must start around Oct. 15 th and some years it is stronger than others.
Three years ago and two years ago they were rutting very vocally on Oct. 15th.
Last year they did not seem to be as vocal on Oct 15th even though the bulls were still responding to the cow calls. I called in two five points in two successive days before the sun came up.
We were tired that night after packing those two bulls up the hill the second day.