Red Rabbit Report post Posted October 16, 2006 Keven/Peloncillo made a comment in the unit 29 thread about how he felt the Nov hunt was different and more difficult than the October hunt. I have noticed and participated in lots of threads about equipment, but seems we talk little about the more important methods and tactics. In what ways have we seen deer patterns change and how have we changed our hunting tactics from early to middle to late season? Doug~RR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobbyo Report post Posted October 16, 2006 Tatics and areas I hunt stay the same no matter what tag I have(glass,glass, glass). Success rate if you averaged over ten years would proably be nearly identical for the early hunts. I feel they are both difficult hunts. Bob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunt4horns Report post Posted October 16, 2006 There is no doubt a difference in the hunts however the element that change are typically small changes and the big difference is how we as hunters adjust to the changes. A lot of time we can anticipate these but if we fail to make the correct adjustments we can find ourselves coming up a little short. But if we do our scouting the way we should, we should be prepared. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TAM Report post Posted October 16, 2006 I think perhaps the differences in question are that during the October hunt the bucks are not spooked and often times are still bachelored up. During the November hunts the deer have been pressured and often times the bachelor groups are beginning to break up. The key to the October hunt is to do your pre season scouting to locate and pattern the bucks. Once the season starts you have a real good idea what their habits are so you go ambush them. During the November hunt all bets are off. You may have done real good scouting during the summer and early fall, but if the hunting pressure got to the bucks you patterned they could have moved away or changed their habits. Now in a sense you are starting from scratch. Also it's possible that someone shot the buck you had scouted during the October hunt. Good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bullwidgeon Report post Posted October 17, 2006 In october I can road hunt with the windows rolled down because the weather is nice, thats makes me a little quicker poking the barrel out the window when I see one. In November and December the heater is on and the windows are rolled up making it a little longer before I get the barrel out the window to shoot. Also in December if it snows I have to use the 4WD on my Toyota alot while "stalking" deer Bret M. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scoutm Report post Posted October 17, 2006 I think the tactics don't change it's the location. If you hunt the same unit over the years you will find where the deer are in Oct. and where they move to once they are pressured. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mulie hunter Report post Posted October 17, 2006 In october I can road hunt with the windows rolled down because the weather is nice, thats makes me a little quicker poking the barrel out the window when I see one. In November and December the heater is on and the windows are rolled up making it a little longer before I get the barrel out the window to shoot. Also in December if it snows I have to use the 4WD on my Toyota alot while "stalking" deer Bret M. That's too freakin funny!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SunDevil Report post Posted October 17, 2006 Oct = find them before the season and keep an eye on them. Nov = try to figure out places where they get pressured too or find places that may not have been pressured in Oct. Dec = find the does. CB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ernesto C Report post Posted October 17, 2006 Tactics may be the same,but all 3 hunts (Oct-Nov-Dec) are very different. I believe weather,water,food,and terrain (forrest/Pine vs. desert) and hunting pressure it is going to dictate the where and how you'll be hunting. October is hot or warmer than Nov/Dec. bucks tend to be more nocturnal and will spend the day on the thickest places where almost is impossible for you to walk(they want shade) but will remain fairly close to water and food.Thick canyons deserve special attention during this hunt; and also "deer drives" work good here. November, same but because of cooler temperatures they tend to be hang out a little later or browse a little sooner,activity increase a little more.During this hunt put attention also to the flats but keep hunting those canyons. December, they are out there,there! rigth in front of you!! shoot!! More activity than the November hunt but again they still love the shade and remember to put attention to food sources available. Rut?? maybe a little to non-ruting activity but always stay alert to this good sign. On any hunt.....if you are not up there before sun rise you are missing big and remember...glass the north-northwest sides of the mountains. God bless you all and no,dont have to thank me,I love helping/blessing others. Ernesto C Aim for the vitals Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ruffcountry Report post Posted October 17, 2006 great topic . thanks, doug for starting this one. only thing I can say here is that the 2 bucks I seen last year in nov were hangin out with does . These bucks were not together, they were 2 different bucks on different days, dont think they were rutting, but they sure were'nt bachin . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peloncillo Report post Posted October 17, 2006 I pretty much agree with what Sundevil said. Keven Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
missedagain Report post Posted October 17, 2006 My best tactic is... well I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted October 17, 2006 Usually I am far enough in that I do not encounter many, if any, other hunters. However, the last two November seasons, I have been hunting a saddle that has good deer traffic from north to south, and unfortunately also hunter traffic since it is only 30 minutes off a road. So, I try to be in position before daylight that any other hunters starting out after dawn will push the deer from the southern feeding slopes through the saddle to the north side bedding area. So guess one could say that I am using the greater number of hunters in the Nov hunt to push the deer past me since I am in position ahead of time. During the November hunts I have spent the midday hours near a waterhole overlooking incoming travel routes from the northside slopes bedding areas. During December, I have not done this, as I am looking in the shade for bedded deer. In Nov I am looking more for a buck and then looking for the bigger buck that may be part of a group of bucks. In Dec, if I find does, I look for buck hanging around the group of does. I personally have not had an October tag for comparison, but have been on Scottyboys Oct hunt. But we were far enough in that other hunters were not a factor. Doug~RR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunt4horns Report post Posted October 17, 2006 My best tactic is... well I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you At least tell us why you keep missin ?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted October 17, 2006 I like the information in this topic. I have only hunted coues in October. Most of the action I have been fortunate enough to get into during October has been bachelor groups. A couple of buddies and I are hiking into a fairly un-familiar canyon during the early hunt this year. Scouted an area approx. 2.5 hrs in from a road for a spike camp. Hoping to get some solitude, but who knows.... S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
