Western NC Bucks still in bachelor groups

Howdy, OB!

Wanted to get the group’s opinion on my recent experience deer hunting in the Western NC mountains.

I’ve got access to 300 acres up there, with 4 trail cams scattered around. I’ve got a group of 4 bucks (a 9 point, a 10 point, a big 6, and a 4) that are still in their bachelor groups as of Oct. 30th. They’ve been grouped up like this since the spring. Based on everything I’ve read it seems like these dudes should have split up 2 months ago, but haven’t. They travel together and bed together still. And they’re not making any scrapes yet either, but have been making plenty of rubs. Peak rut for that area is listed as Dec. 2nd, which is later than many other areas, but still, it seems like these guys are in a weird pattern. Last year’s cam footage and my experience on the ground showed tons of scrape activity and the group had split up by this time of year, or earlier.

I know this area isn’t in most of y’all’s neck of the woods, but does anyone have any experience seeing this type of thing in their area? Any guesses on what might have changed this year versus last year keeping them grouped up and not making scrapes? Thanks in advance.