I think the question is that he is seeing it, but has never seen it at this time of the year.
shaunandjulie, FWIW, we had an out-of-the-ordinary season here in the South as well. The rut never came in full bore as in years past, sign was down and sightings in general were down. Thought it was just our little group but we confirmed it with local processors and taxidermists (SC along I-95 corridor).