during the pre rut the deer may or may not use the same trails they did during the summer. the best thing to do is to scout the next day after season ends b/c most likely that it where the deer will be next year. when the rut kicks in you hunt the does b/c the bucks will follow to mate. before the rut a trail that is not as worn down as others is probably a buck trail. they usually dont use the same trails as does until the rut.