every winter i see all kinds of rubs and scraps, but in the early fall and late summer all i see are does? do the bucks leave and come back or do i need to look harder? i want to kill that bad boy this year.

The bucks are still in the area. When the rut kicks in you will have more buck movement. Just be careful and hunt the wind, and when it isn't right for the area stay out of there.

During fall, hunt food sources... Try to scout out areas where they are traveling from bedding areas to food sources. This will increase your buck sightings. Also always play the wind. You could be in a dynamite spot but hunt it with the wrong wind and itsa dud!

It's the total opposite in my area from what you describe! I saw 6 bucks riding around the other afternoon, by the time muzzleloader gets here, you won't ever see a buck riding around

Do you follow the does or do you stay in one spot? You should follow the does through out late Octan Nov. the bucks are close.