In my opinion the rut is the rut. It is controled by length of day precieved by the does. Hormons in the bucks and does get them into their breeding time. Every year about the same time.

Now what us hunters see is the day time activity of that breeding season. If we see a lot od deer in daylight hours and we see bucks with or after does we say "the rut is on". Day light activity is affected by cold and other weather factors and moon phases. The bucks have been looking for does since early Nov. and will continue till late Nov. as usual. Whether they are active and highly visible in daylight or not.
Thats the way I see it.

Robin