You can't judge the rut by buck activity. Bucks are ready to go 24/7 this time of year and all the penned up aggression is bound to be shown in the woods. I agree about the corn. I've seen early corn cutting as well and could be an indication of buck activity in the woods via rubs and all.

Does are the ones that determine the rut. Until the does come into estrous, all the rubs in the world tell us nothing more than that a buck wasa once there. Bucks will check/ pester does all day but until you see the tarsal glands of the does turn black, I'm not convinced. I do however suppose the rut is affected one way or another depending on light, enviroment and hole nine yards but peak rut will still be around the 15th of Nov in my lattitude.