It’s October and we’re back in the mountains chasing whitetails.
October can be one of the trickiest times to hunt. Deer are shifting patterns, food sources are changing, and it’s easy to hit what people call the “October lull.” But there’s no real lull if you focus on the right things.
Every hunter has an October story.
You did the work in September. You scouted, you hung stands, and the trail cameras were showing promise. You had a plan. But now, mid-month, the woods have gone silent. That big deer you were counting on showing up simply vanished.
This is the infamous October Lull, and it’s a narrative brick wall for most hunters.
Here’s the truth: the deer haven't stopped moving. The science is clear. They’ve just changed their priorities. The hunting pressure is up, and more importantly, the primary food source has moved. As those white oak acorns hit the ground and the last of the agricultural crops are cut, the deer move to the thickest, safest cover to feed—often during the darkest hours. They’re adapting to the rising tension of the hunt, and if you keep hunting the same open edges, you will lose.
We are cutting through the myth of the Lull to give you a clear, actionable plan to break through this tough stretch. This isn't about hoping for a cold front or wishing for November. This is about identifying the true villain in your October Whitetail Hunting Strategy—the change in their bedding and feeding patterns—and adjusting your approach today.
We’re going deep on how to identify those hidden, high-security food sources and the subtle travel corridors the mature bucks are now using to avoid Hunting Pressure. If you want a successful Pre-Rut Deer Hunting season, you can’t let the middle of October steal your momentum.
In this video, Brett breaks down the three biggest keys to deer hunting success in October:
Food Source – Find the most consistent, high-calorie food available. In the mountains that might be red oaks or beech nuts. In farm country, it might be corn, clover, or green soybeans. Deer this time of year are focused on feeding and gaining weight before the rut and winter.
Scrapes – Bucks are starting to lay down sign and check who’s in the area. Hunting a hot scrape near a food source can help you narrow down movement in big timber or ag country.
Cold Fronts – Nothing moves deer in October like a 10–20° temperature drop with rising pressure. These fronts are the best days to be in the stand and catch bucks on their feet during daylight.
Combine all three, a good food source, a hot scrape, and a cold front and you’ll be right in the game this October.
Hope your season goes well.
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