Where do bucks go in October?

[J-F]

It's about mule deer, but maybe applicable to whitetails too.

Every year, I think the end of October will be great, bucks get ready for the rut and will start moving more and doing foolish things resulting in an invite to the Christmas dinner! It should be easy to take advantage of the all-bucks month? And I hike and hunt for days, and see does and fawns everywhere, but no buck! Not a single one…

What I read from biologists on the web is that the bucks increase their activities during October to culminate in November, when the rut occurs.

If I look back, I have shot two muleys in October, both early (the 3rd and the 10th). After that none! Nada! Then, from November 10th or so, things get moving again, and I've been successful again later in November.

So, are the bucks just getting completely nocturnal from mid-October until the rut gets in full swing, roughly after the 1st-2nd week of November? My theory is that about all bucks hide from other bucks as the agressivity levels rise and they start clashing against each other. At some point, when the girl-deer get receptive the boy-deer move around more in the open, in November.


I'm happy to hear all comments.

[walks with deer]

timber and hide from pressure...

that said heavy snow up high last night today should be best day of whole season.

[Steelpulse]

Ya that snow is gonna make some things happen in the woods. Also best time to get out and track one down right now today tomorrow

[Darksith]

This year is funny, I think that the deer are a couple weeks early in their migrations and patterns due to cool temps and even snow in sept and a crazy snow/cold snap early Oct. From what I see, they are lower down than normal for this time of year. Early Oct is a good time to drop a buck because they haven't seen the pressure yet, but once they feel it they do go into the timber. My trail cams show they are still there, I have lots of bucks on cam, nothing that I am looking to hunt yet though.

Its getting harder and harder to find spots that aren't getting pounded. Even spots that I have historically hunted almost exclusively I am catching people on foot in and quads bombing through. Its amazing how many more deer you see though if you are in the right spot and just sitting for the day...

[walks with deer]

from the pictures being sent to me today...
i would say alot went in freezers today.

[Wild one]

This is what I have been told with MD the reason October was chosen for any buck is because this is when MD are the least predictable do to them being more scattered across there seasonal habitat. I had it explained to me as being more of a transition time some prized early season feeding areas are past prime, not enough snow to push towards winter grounds, and it’s not time to chase does. Basically they have no reason to focus on certain location and no reason to cruze around.

This is the exploitation I was given and kinda makes sense but there are those who know MD better then me

WT bucks they are cagey and often hidden away in thick location that involve little movement to meet their needs in October. Often places you cannot enter without alerting them. Some just don’t travel in the open to feed instead stick to semi open bush to feed. Some WT never leave a 5mile sq area their whole life some do migrate in elevation according to the snow. Either way WT bucks pick areas that involve minimal movement to achieve their needs before Nov.

I don’t even attempt to look for big WT bucks before Nov unless I have one patterned in his hiding spot

[Bugle M In]

Ya, the first snowfall, that has some weight to it, so that it "tips over" some of the shrubs/smaller trees is always a good time to get out, as the deer take advantage of the "new feed" presented to them, when these trees are leaning over.
Seen that earlier this year, when we got 12" of snow in one day.
WT's everywhere, feeding.
MD sign was al over as well.
No surprise freezers became a lot fuller suddenly.

[Norwestalta]

Can't say for sure but I figure the whitetails are in the bush getting rid of the easy one so they'll have staying power for the ladies in Nov. I typically like the last week of Nov
That seems to be when the big ones start moving. Mule deer around home are there 365 days a year.

[horshur]

Best time for filling your tag is the last week of October..a little bit of weather that has them held up a night or two and sightings will go up. They are packing winter coats and a summers fat so prone to overheat..mule deer are rubbing trees this last week....

[.264winmag]

timber and hide from pressure...

that said heavy snow up high last night today should be best day of whole season.

been up to my nuts in snow for a few days over the last week in the alpine, does' like crazy only dink mulies hanging with em. My conclusion, big bucks are night crawling covering insane amount of ground to see where they should be after nov.10. Good buck on a cam few days ago 03:30. Monashee mulies are not in the rut at all yet, just like every other year I've been here...

[Buckmeister]

I saw a very nice buck last friday, that took off before I could get a shot, he was hanging out next to a logging operation. Was out yesterday and saw a number of wandering/roaming tracks and rubs. Things are heating up.

[Takla]

from the pictures being sent to me today...
i would say alot went in freezers today.

Yup,like some others have posted we hunted hard every day for any buck,seen a ton of doe's last 10 day zero bucks untill today.Found our first rub of three deep in the bush 2 days ago so rut started and we dropped a nice tall 2-point this afternoon beating up a bush,last day as well

takla

[JAGRMEISTER]

They head to a spa to get a pedicure and shampoo to get ready for some lucky doe!

[Husky7mm]

They seem to usually be in the neighbourhood of the doe groups by now. It doesnt seem like it cause you wont see them with the does usually but if you get lucky and get a fresh dump of snow the tracks will confirm this. And yes, winter fur and summer fat, they wont go far if you track them down and cant get shot, just keep dogging them, the beds will get closer and closer until you get it right..... if your in half decent shape that is. Its a great time to hunt in late oct. Make someting happen.

[last light]

Into my freezer.:)

[sawmill]

As far as whities go I either get my buck first week of the season ,cause they are still stupid from a long summer or in late Nov., cause they get stupid again. They are starting to make mistakes , this morning I saw a 3 pnt. dogging a doe, first time I`v seen him and I hunt the same spot a lot. I reckognise the does and fawns, see the same ones all the time.Soon a big guy will show up. Always happens. Find the girls and stick with them, got a lot of nice 5x5 bucks that way.

[walks with deer]

whitetail world is the same for me first two weeks of september and last 2weeks of november...the odd onw in the middle but typically a bicatch lol

[Brian011]

Most likely they end up in someone’s freezer