It might still be unseasonably warm outside, but buck activity and is ramping up
The anticipation is reaching a fever pitch here in the Northeast, as we head into the transitional phase of October that hunters know all too well. This past week, rubs continued to appear throughout the region, while the number of hot scrapes ramped up daily. However, the only thing hotter than the scrapes was the unseasonably warm weather itself. In many areas, we saw record-breaking temps, which kept deer movement primarily nocturnal during most of the week.
Just as hunters were beginning to lose hope, another strong cold front blew in late in the week, causing a dramatic drop in temperatures and a massive uptick in deer activity. This weather shift created what one hunter described as the perfect storm, bringing together food-driven movement patterns with aggressive pre-rut behaviors. Bucks of all sizes and age classes began showing up around food sources to mingle with does, sparking some of the most intense daylight movement we ve seen so far this season.
One hunter who witnessed this firsthand was Realtree Pro Staff member Jason Say, who kept his focus on food early in the week but quickly adapted his strategy as buck sightings increased. While he didn t get a shot off, Say had a near encounter with one of his target bucks, which he watched work just out of range. His advice: If you have a buck daylighting in an area right now, even if it s just once, get out there and hunt him. His strategy, along with those of other hunters across the region, highlights that bucks are becoming more visible and active, despite warmer-than-normal temperatures.
Don’t Miss: How to Create a Deer Funnel
For others, the change in the weather led to major success. Just Hunt Club s Brett Joy took advantage of this transition phase with a hunt over a partially cut cornfield. His patience paid off, and he tagged a heavy-racked, 150-class buck after one of the most magical nights of deer hunting he could remember. Joy shared how he watched does feed, bucks spar, and some early-season chasing that gave him a glimpse of what s to come. This kind of pre-rut activity, he notes, was as intense as it gets in October, as bucks start to feel the pull of the rut and expand their range.
Across the Northeast, hunters are reporting similar seeking and chasing behaviors, not only in the evenings but now increasingly in the mornings too. Buck fights are becoming more frequent as mature bucks establish territories and push younger competitors to the outskirts. I have even seen several younger bucks with their racks broken up. Many hunters are also noticing never before seen bucks showing up on their scouting cameras clear signs that territories are expanding, and bucks are roaming farther in anticipation of the coming peak of the rut.
With cooler weather finally setting in and the rut just around the corner, next week has the potential to be one of the best windows for hunting all season. Keying in on transition areas, funnels, and food sources downwind of thick cover should be top priority as we move closer to the prime days of the rut. Stay vigilant and make sure your gear is ready because, with the right conditions, we re heading into the kind of hunting that can make or break your season.
As we look to the final days of October, the stage is set for an unforgettable rut. How are you going to take advantage?