hey nick? Sounds like a good time to be in the woods if ya ask me. I think the rut is coming early this year, and the time you are talking about is the pre-rut.......which is a great time to rattle and use some scents. Anything you can use like rattling and stuff is always a benefit, hunt the acorns if you had a good mast this year, find the does and the bucks should be around.......good luck and take alot of pics to show us!