Mid October Hunt

sliverslinger1 · Sep 27, 2004

I have hunted mule deer in the early part of Semptember for many years and have had great luck, since the bucks are still in their "bachelor groups" they are easier to come across. I am soon leaving to go out again for an other hunt, but will be in Mid October. Will the bucks be out of their groups? Do they respond to grunting and rattling like whitetail during this time? Does scents work yet? I am researching the mule deer pre-rut and rut, but want some of your views.

Thanks,
Sliverslinger1

elk_horn · Sep 27, 2004

I would say by Mid October you wont find them in Batchelor Groups and as far as the rut it wont start till mid November and it will be in full swing at thanksgiving... as far as grunts like whitetail.... I dont think so... you might get some reaction to rattling .. just because they might be curious.... usually the best way to hunt mule deer is to get high on a ridge and do spot and stock. just my 2 cents

Muleyslyr · Sep 27, 2004

I gotta agree with elk_horn, but it may vary a little depending on where you live or hunt.

BUCKSPY · Sep 27, 2004

Its been my experience that on heavily hunted public land, bucks turn into rocks until the second half of November. Its all relative but even non-hunted deer seem to become more shy and furtive after they rub their velvet.

ICMDEER · Sep 27, 2004

Amen.

kilbuc · Sep 27, 2004

Ditto

from the "Heartland of Wyoming"

eelgrass · Sep 27, 2004

Oh, they turn into ROCKS. And all this time I've been looking in the tops of trees. I knew they had to be close by....now I know where.

Thanks Buckspy!

Steve

sliverslinger1 · Sep 28, 2004

Sounds like my time might be better spent hunting whitetails in Minnesota rather than hunting "rocks".

Thanks for all the advice.

idhunters · Sep 28, 2004

What everyone has said about mid October bucks is true, but don't let that stop you from hunting! There are good bucks killed in mid October they just aren't in groups of 10 and out in the open until mid-day like they are in Sept. and they aren't on a "1 track mind" like they are in mid-late November.

When the horns are done growing the food requirements go way down so they don't feed as long as when in velvet and they can get in the thick stuff (horns are hard).

It won't be as easy in mid october, but in my opinion the hard horned, grey deer (vs. the "red" color of summer) is the best looking deer to harvest.

Give it a try!

sliverslinger1 · Sep 28, 2004

If the deer are moving as much as they are in September any suggestions to get them moving. The reason is, because this year I have noticed most of the big bucks where hiding out in the heavy trees during the day and not in the open as in the past.

We have used sling shots to throw rocks in the woods to get them going, but I don't want to spook them too much. You can't walk into the trees, it is too noisy. Is the best just to sit in a clump of trees and wait for them to come to you?
Or just the traditional spot and stalk techique and just know you might not see as many deer?

I guess this is why they make for such as frustating but enjoyable hunt.