What is going on out there? How heavy is the rut kicking in so far? What area is going hotter or colder so far(North,South,Ea,WE)? Shotgun is right around the corner will it be winding down by then?

SIMPLY, the next 2 weeks are the best hunting of the rut for the rest of the year, the time is NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

yep, exactly what he said. this past weekend bucks were in the seeking phase in east central illinois. I would say by this weekend they will be chasing

There has been some major movement of big bucks the last two days. I would say that the rut is in full swing.

If you believe in moon phases this week is the week to see the big boys on their feet...last full moon was monday and 7 days after that the mature does come into estrus(Sunday)...At this point I think the bucks will LOCKDOWN...Just my opinion...I shot a great IL buck at 3pm yesterday on public ground in IL......

I've seen more big bucks in the last 3 days, than I think I saw all year last year. And I've seen them everywhere! I saw 2 in Sugar Grove, 2 in Yorkville, and 3 in Sandwich/Plano-area.

They're movin bigtime! All of them were either chasing does, or trying real hard to catch up to one.

Ilive in Champaign, but works nights right across the border in Indiana, and rightby Kickapp State parkabout 330pm I seen 6 bucks chasing a doe across a corn field, damn that made me want to call in sick.
THE CHASE IS ON!!!!!

the rut will most likelybe in full swing when shotgun season starts. probably the enitre weekend. should be another good first season

Was out today in Kankakee County and saw a HUGE buck chasing a doe. He was at least a 5 year old. He stopped about 10 yards from me, but I couldn't get an arrow to him. I got a great look at him and he was definetly in full rut! His neck was huge and he never even looked in my direction, even tho the doe stomped at me twice and spooked. He was totally focused on her.

i wasin west central (calhoun county)from the 23rd of oct. until 11th of nov. - hardly any sign of even a pre-rut... extremely slow. worked hard to put men on deer & those were for inferior bucks. thinking about going back - need an accurate update!