I agree that Alsheimer and LaRoche's theories are interesting, and it nice that a lot of the data for his study comes from right here in upstate NY at his farm in Bath, but I have to agree with John Ozoga (the grandfather of whitetail research) that the first few weeks of November are the best, regardless of what the moon is doing. That's been my experience, and his too.
He says it's all photoperiod that triggers the rut. That is, the first does will generally breed during the last week of October, or maybe not until the first few days of November. Thereafter, the frequency of breeding escalates rapidly, peaks during mid-month, but tails-off gradually, with some breeding occurring in December, and even January in areas where doe fawns breed.
On northern range, the chase phase occurs at about the same time, year after year — starting around the middle of October. Therefore, given the timing of this annual event, it is tempting to credit the first breedable doe as being the unique force causing bucks to suddenly go berserk. To the contrary, however, I suspect the chase phase is just that: much chasing and testing of does by energetic bucks, but little or no breeding.
I'll take a high pressure, clear cold early november day for mature bucks. Either way, you can't shoot em from your bed, so get out there boys and girls. Deer move less when it's warm and/or rainy, but some of the best buck encounters I've heard of are on days just like that.
Bottom line, if you have the time get out there! Even if you see no deer you get to relax in the great outdoors so either way you win.....
I love how clean and smooth the early season bucks look before they get all beat up and nasty looking in november. That buck looks like a pretty boy, he's gonna look great on the wall. Nice prep work and perfect shot. You earned it!