RE: beginning of rut in MO
 

I recently read an article stating that once a buck has shed his velvet, he is ready to mate and that estrous scents could be effective in late Sept almost as well as in the rut. Any thoughts ?

RE: beginning of rut in MO
 

I hunt in Knox county and have seen bucks chasing does aggressively in mid October every year. Last year I saw the biggest buck I have ever seen and three other smaller bucks chasing does everywhere right around October 15. I save a weeks vacation time to take during the last week of october just to hunt before rifle season begins. I use scent at that time, usually the estrous scent wafers. I dont know if I would try it now, but light rattling does seem to get their attention right now, although I havent been lucky enough to call one in close enough to shoot yet.