As far as I've found, it never is too early. It just depends on how you go about it. Usually early in the season I'll just tickle them a little. But before the rut gets going full steam I'll be banging hard at em. Then I pick it up again after the rut has calmed down. My thinking (for what its worth

) is once the rut is full blown, the does are hot and ready. If the boys haven't already established their pecking order, its first come first serve at this point.