Kansas/midwest hunt strategy for October

[CMF]

I'm currently working in Kansas and my 15yo son has an archery tag. He's hunting public land with a crossbow and ground blind. We're probably here until about the first week of Nov. so we'll probably miss the best rutting time.
It's a mix of habitat, some hardwood creek bottoms, grass and brush and some ag, mostly soy bean, but a little corn. He saw a dozen does and a forky this evening heading to soy beans.

Any specific food sources you target or other strategies like moc scrapes that you have success with during October?

I mentioned the moc scrape because I scouted a couple days ago and scratched out a place for him to put a blind. When he got to the spot, there was a good track and a rub at the spot I made.

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

100% Mock Scrapes from 10/25-11/5

 

[Colorsblend]

Scrapes and acorn feed trees.

 

[CMF]

100% Mock Scrapes from 10/25-11/5

I think we'll try next time we make a set.

Scrapes and acorn feed trees.

Haven't seen much for scrapes yet. Haven't found a good acorn feed tree yet, but did find one pecan.


What dates would you consider rattling to start being effective?

Son got a shot off at a doe the other morning, but unfortunately had the crossbow too low and shot thru the groundblind fabric and I think it sent his arrow off.

 

[Colorsblend]

I think we'll try next time we make a set.

Haven't seen much for scrapes yet. Haven't found a good acorn feed tree yet, but did find one pecan.


What dates would you consider rattling to start being effective?

Son got a shot off at a doe the other morning, but unfortunately had the crossbow too low and shot thru the groundblind fabric and I think it sent his arrow off.

After Halloween early November the rut should be in full swing.

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

I think we'll try next time we make a set.

Haven't seen much for scrapes yet. Haven't found a good acorn feed tree yet, but did find one pecan.


What dates would you consider rattling to start being effective?

Son got a shot off at a doe the other morning, but unfortunately had the crossbow too low and shot thru the groundblind fabric and I think it sent his arrow off.

For years I ignored the drippers but over the last 2 I've really ramped up the use of scrapes across several properties. Using the dripper and "Active Scrape" scent has worked the best. Last year I even tried some curiosity scents/rope with little to show for it.