This year the rut was over before late riffle where I hunt. Started about the last week of October. I have seen them rut well into December but every year is different and every area is different. Depends on the does sometimes there are some hot does around later on which extends the rut.

I work alot of nights most of the year and drive 90% of my shift. See different things happening at different times in dirrerent areas. Sometimes an area 2 or three miles away from another may be hot and heavy into the rut when the other area hasnt even started yet or is already over.

As far as grunting and bleats go I dont think it ever hurts. They are deer sounds and it intrests them never seems it spook them.

This year I hunted well after the rut and used my grunt tube every time I was out. I covered alot of ground grunted here and there. I saw some bucks and shot one. Seems like the grunting got their attention and they were very interested in me. Seems to me it takes the spook out of em and rather than being scared of you they are wondering what the heck you are making their sounds. Most of the deer I saw, saw me as well and seemed to be waiting for me to see what I was.