Finding big bucks in October

[Arrowghost]

what is everyone’s tips/tricks for finding big bucks in October hunts?

 

[Wassid82]

Utilize the best glass I can afford. Hike early in the dark to a high vantage point. glass all day sun up to sun down

 

[VANDAL]

Find them in July/August and hope you get a glimpse of him in October


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[sneaky]

Early, mid, or late, October? Depends on what time of month you're talking about

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[Arrowghost]

Early, mid, or late, October? Depends on what time of month you're talking about

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End of October

 

[Huntnnw]

Ive watched mature bucks in in NE WA and N ID start rutting pretty hard from Oct 21st and later. Will be a toss up, you will start seeing some chasing in some areas and nothing in others. Lot will also depend on type of weather you will be in too at that time of year

 

[IdahoElk]

If you find does in late October chances are there will be a buck near by.

 

[wytx]

Yep, late Oct is pre rut staging time. Depending on area , the mature bucks will be staging with doe groups.
Last week is the best time .

 

[WCB]

In my experience I don't count on finding mature bucks with doe groups in ND, SD, MT, WY until 2nd week of November and later. Not that you won't find them with them but I find it as the exception and not the rule. Once mid Nov roles around I really pay attention to doe groups and make the rounds everyday checking on groups as the Mule Deer bucks roam from group to group checking does.

In early Oct I hunt them just like Sept. Try to find them in the mornings and evenings. If hot during the day I'll Glass the crap out of shaded ledges or still hunt glassing as I go and try to spot one bedded. If the weather cools down and you move to later Oct. I have had good luck just still hunting or moving from spot to spot all day glassing and catching them on their feet even mid day feeding out in a flat or something.

 

[BowHuntr97]

For me sort of depends on location and if there is any pre-rutting activity going on. In the public land areas I hunt in Utah that time of year, there isn't much, if any rutting activity going on. I spend as much time as possible behind my glass (on a tripod) that time of year, picking apart country trying to find an antler, ear, ect... In my experience, those bigger, mature bucks just don't move much during daylight hours, on public land, that has been hunted for the previous 2-3 months.

I was on a hunt in Colorado a couple years ago and bucks were rutting pretty hard a few days into November. In that scenario, I try and cover as much country as possible and look over as many deer as possible.

 

[littlebigtine]

glass glass glass. if you start seeing swollen necks dont be afraid to pay attention to where the does are piling up

 

[baevx8]

Thanks for all the tips. I will be heading to WY in early Oct for the first time.

 

[nphunter]

Go buy Robby's book, "Hunting Big Mule Deer". IMO it's the best deer book out there especially for hunting nowadays. Eastman's hunting high country mule deer is a good read also but I feel like mule deer hunting has changed a lot since that book was published.

 

[LONE HUNTER]

Find them in July/August and hope you get a glimpse of him in October


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This guy kills big deer, his opinion has weight behind it!!!!!