October lull

[longbow fanatic 1]

Since September, I was getting very consistent deer movement on my game cameras. On one trail, in particular, the deer were using the trail daily during shooting hours. Once October began, the movement slowed with each passing week and is now down to a trickle. The movements are usually after dark now.    

[Whip]

I would be willing to bet you are going to see that trend reverse itself very soon!  I'm betting that things are really going to start picking up toward the end of next week and just keep getting better from there.

[longbow fanatic 1]

I'm with you, Whip!

[Izzy]

Ive been victimized myself, never as evident as my last Ohio hunt which was in the 1st week of October. There weren't even deer on the roads at night for the 4 days we hunted. I guess its all about moon phases.

[Keith Langford]

I am with Whip, actually saw a young buck dogging a doe today, he don't know the rules yet

[tracker12]

Deer are on the mast right now. Movement changes,   In my area they will stick close to the acorns and just eat, sleep and S#$T.

[centaur]

I have lots of does and a few young bucks where I am hunting. Just a matter of time before the fun time starts.

[maineac]

I just checked a camera I have had out since August.  Once October hit all movement has been at night.  This is a remote hard to access parcel, and I did not go in until the wind was right, so it was not pressure that changed the pattern.

[Vesty]

In going back through my hunting journal,the pattern is consistent year to year.There does seem to be an October lull in that the deer are around but not seen much during shooting light. As October begins to wane, we once again get the movement and sightings we wait for.

[longbow fanatic 1]

Originally posted by Vesty:
In going back through my hunting journal,the pattern is consistent year to year.There does seem to be an October lull in that the deer are around but not seen much during shooting light. As October begins to wane, we once again get the movement and sightings we wait for.

Excellent! Please let me know what your journal says. Thx

[Altiman94]

I've not really experienced a lull in my hunting during October.  Since I hunt public land, usually my first sit in an area will yield the most sightings - regardless of when.  In this area, when the 'rut' hits - everyone is out.  Gets harder to see deer when you have more people after them.

[Jerry Jeffer]

I have not had any lull. Matter of fact, it is starting to pick up all ready.

[Tim]

Hey Dennis,

I think we already experienced a little lull here in PA.  September and early October was really slow compared to past years.  The warm weather and poor moon phase didn't help.  Plus we still have a considerable amount of corn up.   We will stay at it and hope for some coolers temps.  

Good luck!!!!    Tim

[longbow fanatic 1]

Thanks everyone! Tim, things will pick up I'm sure. Deer were chasing a week or so ago because temps were really low, plus we were in a full moon cycle. Better hunting days are ahead for sure.

Best of luck to you and all the other TGers!

[Slickhead]

Last weekend was the muzzleloader antlerless only weekend here in Ohio.
Sat all I saw were Bucks.
They seem to know the rules.
Had a spike walk within 20 yds of me. He wasntnt legal and knew it as he paced back and forth in front of me as I filmed him.

[dbd870]

This week things seem to be starting to pick back up here. One thing I have noticed is all I'm seeing is does, only buck I've seen was a button.

[DaveT1963]

Same here - I think the dark season (New Moon) approaching will help to facilitate more daytime movement.  I personally think the Oct Lull is a time where the bachelor groups break up and the older bucks start to mentally prepare for what’s coming.  I know, deer probably don't think like we do, but I have always kind of looked at the Oct lull like pre-fight prep.  Fighters (MMA, Boxers, Wrestlers, just about all athletes) often seclude themselves for a period of time immediately prior to a fight to kind of get mentally ready for the battle coming..... I think in some way bucks are doing something similar.  I don't think they move much, or hang out with other deer much.  I really think they hide out for a week or so in their sanctuary grounds kind of gearing up for the rut and all that means to them.

Perhaps I am “Romanticizing” the whole Oct lull thing?  Call me silly but just my way of looking at it  

[longbow fanatic 1]

DaveT, you're right on this one. I'm just trying to decode why deer movement has diminished exponentially since the beginning of Oct. at one of my most promising stand locations. Until yesterday, I haven't hunted the stand and have only been running cameras. When I've retrieved the SD card from the cameras, I've slipped in and back out briefly. That said, I don't think human pressure caused the change. It may be that during the past full moon cycle, the does were feeding heavily at night and really didn't need to move during day light hours.

[The Ole' Bowhunter]

That October lull has certainly mystified hunters all over the country.  Maybe its the abundace of acorns that is keeping them in the hardwoods and out of sight.  Then too, I have to agree with Izzy that the moon phases have something to do with it...or maybe their biological needs are slowing down prior to winter causing them to become lethargic in preperation for the harsh winter months ahead.

[DaveT1963]

LB Fanatic - I experienced the same thing as you.  I think the Midmonth Oct Lull, coupled with a full bright moon, really restricted daylight movement.  

I got very few pics of any deer in my normal spots (night or day) but I wouldn't sweat it.  Does remain pretty consistent to cover/food cycles and soon enough the bucks will be where the does are.  

One of the very best tips I ever got to locate bucks in late Oct/early november is to know the predominate wind direction for each month (in your local area) then look for the doe beds related to that food source.  Once you know that, look for the nastiest/safest cover within 1/2 mile on the downwind side.... that's probably where the older more mature bucks will be bedding soon (last week of Oct - Dec) unless pressure moves them.