October lull-how about it....

[Kyle]

So I'm experiencing the october lull bad right now. We all know that the deer basically seem to stop moving; at least I never see anything during this period of time year after year. Well I got to thinking about it, and deciding I really dont know what the heck it is, or why it happens. The deer still need to feed and water, so what is it that makes them seem to disappear when this time of the year rolls around? Where are they, and why are we not seeing them?

I'm going hunting, maybe someone will have an answer for me by the time I get back. Thanks

[vister]

typically, the deer go when the velvet goes! once their velvet is shed, they change patterns. this is caused by testoscerone. testoscerone increases in their body causes the burrs at they base of the main beams to grow, which kills the velvet. testoscerone makes them start thinking ahead, in a sense, and they become more nocturnal, only moving if they need to.

[Bear55]

I belive the Oct lull is a combination of things, first off the deer might be feeling a little bit of pressure from hunters being out and about. I know I use to overhunt areas and deer sighting would alwasy plunge in mid Oct. The leaves are also coming off the trees so after having massive amounts of cover the woods suddenly seem bare, this could be the adjustment period where the deer are getting use to their new surroundings. Finally I think it could be the deer resting up for the marathon rut that is about to kick off in late Oct. I would also agree with Vister and throw in changing patters in food and bedding area could also be in the mix.

I have read before that studies have shown that deer activity increses the closer we get to the rut, however I think during the lull the daytime activity drop off.

It has also been an odd fall weather wise and I just saw 6 deer feeding in a back yard so maybe they are all hiding in behind your house while you are out in the woods. In a normal year I would say we should be coming out of the lull soon but only the deer know for sure.

[DoubleLunger]

Spotlights. Lots of deer out there.

[InTheNorthwoods]

To go along with the factors cited about, I also believe it has lots to do with bulking up for winter, conserving energy, and their winter coats.

If you were overweight and had a big winter parka on, would you want to run around during the warmest part of the day?

[alwaysonthemove]

I would say it is the moon phase. I have noticed that earlier in the season I get alot of night shots. middle of october I get fewer night shots and alot more middle of the day shots. And we all know what happens 7 days before the 2nd full moon after the autumn equinox. That is just my thoughts.

[Kyle]

once again, didnt see anything. That makes two weeks now without a deer spoted on stand. Its like they are completely avoiding my area(though i know their not).

[archerystud]

The October lull is real. I typically stay away from my best stands until Oct 20. I just think that things pick up after that so I prefer to not get too much scent in the area when the deer are not moving during shooting hours.

My theory is that deer come into their winter coats around the end of Sept and daytime temps are warmer so deer don't move until the sun is down. Once late Oct hits the temps are cooler and the rut just makes the deer more active during the daytime.

Whatever the real reason is it doesn't matter, there is not nearly as much daytime movement during early Oct.

[riverrat56]

So a non hunting opinion on this, the job site I'm working at is near a wooded area and all summer up too about 2 weeks ago we saw dear from start time till about break (so from 6:45 till 9:30 or so) almost every day.

Haven't seen one since the first week of October other than one brief period after it had rained for a few days straight, let up and the sun came out.

[koonie]

I've been seeing just as many deer now as I did earlier in the month. Can't say as I've ever noticed the October lull.

[PC's]

I hear ya. in my opinion the first 3 weeks of bow season are prime time. the does are extremally active. once the cold fall weather comes there in full spook mode travaling after dark.

[benbosh]

just read in a book that alot of it has to do with that the leaves are falling of the foliage in the deers territory and they become naturally uncomfortable with their environment and become nocturnal for the most part but once the rut kicks in they forget about being nocturnal and are chasin tail. this is with both pressured areas and hardly no hunting pressure at all

[USPENAMC]

"If you were overweight and had a big winter parka on, would you want to run around during the warmest part of the day?"

For a second there I thought you knew me personally I should be allowed to hunt at night!

[sticknstring]

I agree. From personal observation, deer sightings during the middle two weeks of October have been dismal. Happens every year, this year especially for me.

[96trigger]

yep, it has blown the last week or so down here. Have still seen deer every night, but with the weather pattern and the wind and leaves dropping, it has sucked. One week to go. Its like clockwork every year. I go out after Holloween and its like someone threw a switch. Rubs and scapes everywhere, that is when it gets interesting. Can't wait, its only 10 days away.

[Bear55]

Ok so I think most of us agree the Oct lull is real, now what to do about it? I usually take a little break from bow hunting and get out and do some grouse and duck/goose hunting. I might do a little last minute scouting (scent free of course and even better if its raining) just to fine tune my setup or just to see if there is a new spot that I may have overlooked. This is also the time I refocus my attention to details, wash all hunting clothes, scent kill everything, practice shooting, and make sure all my gear is in order for that late October early November best time to be a bowhunter time of year.

[96trigger]

Just washed everything last night. I had two calls that needed to get fixed, did that on Tuesday. checked all the arrows, etc... Not much else to do right now. Might goose hunt or walleye fish this weekend.

[bigbucks]

I too believe in the lull & experience it most years, but apparently I've hit the right nights this October, as I think I've only had two deerless nights. I have hunted sparingly & have only one stand I've hunted more than once so far. They do seem to be moving better in the morning than they were, at least if last Saturday's an indication when I saw 10. Personally I love morning hunts, but Saturdays & vacation days are the only options for me where as evening are a possibility almost any day.

[big drift]

In my experience to many people look beyond the obvious.

More people are in the woods. You have hunters, not just archery but also small game, waterfowl, bear, and upland, you have MEA when a lot of people are out getting stands ready for hunting season.

Then there are tree color watchers and autumn weather enthusiasts. Not to mention the crop harvest going on. You have had weeks of kids getting off the bus and now the sun is setting earlier so the same noisy kids are getting off the bus during prime time.

The bucks are moving around as we have been seeing rubs and scrapes already. I honestly think they just change their activity times.

And everything switches again during rut.

JMO

[Kyle]

I think that is what most people are saying. They become nocturnal until the rut... Right where I hunt, there are no other deer hunters, and no tree color enthusiasts either so I have to believe that they are simply moving comepletely at night, or they changed their routes... Hopefully once the bucks start moving during the day I will get some action.

[james_walleye]

Trigger i'd get into stand this weekend. A friend of mine at work who is very well "connected" told me a few of his friends in the last 2 days have seen some big deer getting frisky. He and his little circle believes October 24th is a magic day. I'll be out all weekend hunting both areas. Last year on the 24th i messed up on a 130 class 10 pointer.

[96trigger]

Thanks, I plan on getting out this weekend, and a couple of times next week. It looks like things are about to pop around here. The big guy we were talking about before got shot but not recovered, if you want the story, email me. You might still have my address from last year. I'm hoping that the big guys start getting more active. Also know of one real nice buck that was hit by a truck when it crossed behind a doe. The truck stopped for the doe, but never saw the buck. That was Wednesday.

[walterman]

Went out tonight I saw a couple does and a smaller 8pt.. He then began chasin one of the does in the group around. Fun to watch for sure. The big guys will be showing themselves very soon. Cant wait. Also, I did a little scouting and found a few rubs starting to pop up besides the scrapes.

[walleyehunter80]

try hunting after dark with night vision glasses? Most of the guys I know say deer hunting is alot better if your tryin stuff no one else does!

[96trigger]

With the number of deer that get hit by cars, I have always thought about headlights in my stand. It never failed that I would be driving home and a deer would walk in front of the road and just stare me down. Wish they would try that when I was in the woods.