dwhod...I also hunt the piney woods of east texas. Longview area. As far as my experience goes, the rut is later there than most. I usually see most rutting between nov. 17-23 and the same dates in december. I swear its like the deer have a calendar there. I have started to see a lot of rubs and scrapes in the past two weeks, so the bucks are definitely getting in gear. I would have to agree that hunting the rifle stand sounds best, mostly because of the fact that you have a spot to be that wont spook the deer. And as to the buck/doe...i say shoot the doe. In east Texas there are way too many does in my opinion and you only have another week to shoot a doe (without a MLD permit). The bucks around there will have plenty of time to get calmed down before the rut. But I wouldnt count on having a buck following the does this weekend, unless it was way in the back. Good luck to you both!

btw, You are a very nice wife!