Strategy talk III
10-02-2007, 12:44 PM
#1
Giant Nontypical
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 7,208
Strategy talk III
If anyone could post up experiences, harvests or successful tactics used to hunt mature bucks, during the “October lull”. The time after the 1st few days of the “early season” and before the bucks start moseying around looking for does? Does anyone focus their attention elsewhere during this time period or do you still put forth an effort to tag a bruiser during this time?
10-02-2007, 12:54 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: East Central, Ohio
Posts: 1,226
RE: Strategy talk III
On rainy days I take advantage of the wet leaves by walking around and stalking some of the trails between food sources and bedding areas. Usually walk for a little bit and then sit behind a fallen tree or some brush.If the mature bucks aren't movin to find me, I will move to find them. One important thing is if you do spot one and there is no way to stalk in close enough. I will sit and wait for him to move instead of taking the chance of pushing him out of the area.
10-02-2007, 12:54 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 4,679
RE: Strategy talk III
Honestly I just focus on shooting does during this time and try to stay as far away from known buck areas until 3rd week of October. I use this time to really pattern what the does are doing so I know what they will do when the bucks start to chase them. I certainly don't have a wall full of mature bucks but I know all the encounters I have had with larger bucks have been VERY early or 3rd week of Oct or later. I'm curious to know what others think though.........
10-02-2007, 12:57 PM
#4
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: The OH-IO
Posts: 7,103
RE: Strategy talk III
I have shot one mature buck in this time frame. It was Oct. 17th, 2003. I was set up on an inside breakline with a few oakstrees present. I shot him at 9:22AM.
He was browsing down the breakline and stopping under the Oaks eating acorns.
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Not to exciting of a story I know
10-02-2007, 02:10 PM
#7
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: North Lima Ohio & Clarion Pa
Posts: 6,453
RE: Strategy talk III
Not to over simplify..But they are still out there in Oct.. They still have to eat and bed. It's not like they are in Cancun for the month.
Ok they are not on summer patterns and they are not seeking the ladies yet..but they are still livin life in the deer woods. Get out there andHUNT them.
If you think "lull" you may get careless ..think opportunity, and see what happens.
Ok they are not on summer patterns and they are not seeking the ladies yet..but they are still livin life in the deer woods. Get out there andHUNT them.
If you think "lull" you may get careless ..think opportunity, and see what happens.
10-02-2007, 02:12 PM
#8
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 21,043
RE: Strategy talk III
Rybo:
Heck I don't know! Until the bucks get off the beans....it's MY theory that the ones HERE have altered their home range. I know they stay on the North side of the area I hunt during the late Fall and Winter months.....but the Summer and early Fall months have us on this side seeing some smaller bucks and lots of does.
I have trail cam photos of a couple of good bucks for my area.....but I've read where deer will travel in excess of 2 MILES in one evening to visit a mineral site.
Last year I saw a few more bucks in October than November....with my sightings getting more prevailant as the season progressed.
I'm patient. It'll happen.
Heck I don't know! Until the bucks get off the beans....it's MY theory that the ones HERE have altered their home range. I know they stay on the North side of the area I hunt during the late Fall and Winter months.....but the Summer and early Fall months have us on this side seeing some smaller bucks and lots of does.
I have trail cam photos of a couple of good bucks for my area.....but I've read where deer will travel in excess of 2 MILES in one evening to visit a mineral site.
Last year I saw a few more bucks in October than November....with my sightings getting more prevailant as the season progressed.
I'm patient. It'll happen.
10-02-2007, 02:32 PM
#10
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,716
RE: Strategy talk III
I like playing around the corn fields this time of year. You just never know what's out there...
They're also doodling in scrapes/rubs in the next couple weeks. You never know when a good buck is gonna stand up a little early to go out for a bite and maybe freshen up his scrapes. Usually, these aren't your best rut-hunts anyway, so it won't hurt to burn them out. Field edges and such.
They're also doodling in scrapes/rubs in the next couple weeks. You never know when a good buck is gonna stand up a little early to go out for a bite and maybe freshen up his scrapes. Usually, these aren't your best rut-hunts anyway, so it won't hurt to burn them out. Field edges and such.