CWpredator Report post Posted October 6, 2013 I've been scouting since July for my early October hunt. I've had over 65 bucks in the area I'm hunting. Lots of them are very respectable bucks in the 90 to high 90 range. Typical lots of small bucks spikes, 2x2s, 60s, 70s, and 80s I had 4 different bucks in the 100 to 108 range. Well yesterday I went back out scouting after 15 days in elk heaven and I found lots of deer but not much for bucks. I found two of the bachelor groups that 2 of the big boys were running with (same bucks) and the big boys were no where to be found. I know I'm in far enough back country they aren't getting pressure and the area is not condusive to archery hunting (ares like Stallone in CliffHanger) and it's blowing my mind because I was only able to turn up 3 bucks yesterday and its really bumming me out because I had high hopes for October. Just wondering if the deer are starting to kick anyone else's butt close to the October season opening up? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pine Donkey Report post Posted October 6, 2013 Late September-early October the big bucks break away from others and become very solitary. They also become nocturnal much of the time. Hike high in the dark and use good glass to pick everything apart as soon as it begins to get light. They may have moved a little, but they did not pack their bags and leave. I would spend more time looking at the low country leaving up to the mountains than the mountains themself. Good luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Becker Report post Posted October 7, 2013 Like pine donkey said they generally change patterns a little when they rub. Lots of times they leave the buddies to rub their velvet. Not sure if its a testosterone thing or what. But they seem to get somewhat testy when they are shedding their velvet. I have seen it 50 50 where they leave the group they were with and never join back or they show back up. Most likely they have become a little more reclusive and are just on a slightly different aspect of slope. A change of angle might be all that is needed to turn them up again. If you were seeing them on a regular they are still right there. Most bigger bucks have a relatively small home range and won't be far from where you originally saw them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CWpredator Report post Posted October 7, 2013 I appreciate the insight guys. I'm mostly using the locating techniques you guys are talking of especially with them only moving to bed in first light plus many others. I know what im doing as far as whitetail as far as I killed quite a few and helped my buddies take quite a few. I guess its just my frustrations coming out. and like i said i really do appreciate the insight from guys that definitely know what they are doing. I'm just getting discouraged because its not even season yet and I feel like the big boys are already beating me. I had/and still have high hopes for another good buck but its only getting harder and harder as the season approaches. 33 is a real butt whipper so far this year. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SunDevil Report post Posted October 7, 2013 keep at it! now that the grass is yellow, it is harder to find them when glassing. they are still there, just tougher to find. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
