"Better": are those states allowed to bait. If so and they don't have extensive ag good sources, maybe all deer are more easily harvested over bait later in the year as winter food sources in those states are not as available and Wisconsin, for instance, had harsher weather. Maybe harvest and the rut is meaningless in that situation. Possibly other states have similar situations. Certainly KY does and the baiting issue there is a pretty significant contributing factor.

Maybe the use of high powered rifles also reduces the rut vs non rut harvest impact. Or, is it possible that a secondy rut hunt in December makes bucks even more vulnerable because they have to work harder and be more exposed in looking for a doe.

The list could go on. Besides, what is the definition of better. On a percent of buck kill, it doesn't appear others states are doing better. If its the raw number of bucks killed, what is the total available bucks because that would be a significant factor. How about B&C per deer habitat acre? Endless.