Was wondering what you use to predict the rut or how you choose time off of work so that it is well spent?

That is the million dollar question. Most say rut is determined by the moon phases. Of course there are many factors such as weather and temperatures that play a role, but moon phase is the main factor. Most hunting magazines have articles telling exactly what days SHOULD produce the most deer movement. Good luck!

Completely false. Whitetail rut is predicted by the shortening of daylight activity. The moon has jack crap to do with it. The very biggest myth. I can tell you this much. Whitetails have rutted the very same days in IL for my 16 years of hunting them. Weather has been the biggest predictor in daylight activity. Anything much over 50 degrees for a high and they start moving at night.

You know its on when you see bucks chasing does.