By Heath Wood
One of the most significant mistakes that deer hunters make each year is due to a lack of scouting or not scouting throughout the season. Many hunters spend much of the summer finding the best sign, new potential stand sites, and any other details that might help them get closer to the trophy buck of their dreams; once the season begins, their scouting efforts cease. October is a crucial month for deer hunters who want to pinpoint high-traffic areas and intercept mature bucks before the rut kicks into full gear. It’s a time when deer behavior begins to shift, making it important for hunters to continue their scouting tactics. With bucks starting to break away from their summer feeding patterns and increase their activity, much of the intel gathered throughout the summer can be tossed away, forcing hunters to start over with more effective scouting in October.
Understanding how bucks move during this transitional period, interpreting fresh signs, and strategically using trail cameras can help hunters find the perfect spot. Most often, the stand locations used early in the season are pushed to the back burner, and fine-tuning another location where deer have moved to is required to remain ahead of the game when trying to get a close range of a mature buck.
Understanding Deer Behavior in October
As October progresses, bucks experience a significant increase in testosterone, triggering changes in their behavior. A few days ago, I received a video from a Spypoint trail camera of mine indicating a younger buck, with his nose to the ground, searching for the first signs of a doe coming into heat. Coincidently, bucks have been making scrapes and rubs, which is my indicator that the pre-rut is amongst us, and the rut is soon to begin. When bucks become more solitary and begin laying down rubs and scrapes, signaling the beginning of pre-rut activity, they’ll move away from their summer bedding and feeding patterns and start to seek out areas where does congregate. When this activity begins, I typically focus all my efforts on hunting but also try to manage my time for more scouting. The pre-rut presents opportunities for hunters to scout effectively and identify new patterns that will help them piece together the missing pieces of the puzzle of harvesting a mature buck in October.
Bucks are still focused on food sources like acorns, crops, or food plots early in the month. However, as the month advances, their attention turns towards identifying and checking does, which makes staging areas and travel corridors excellent locations for scouting.
What To Look For When Scouting: Rubs and Scrapes
Fresh sign is one of the best indicators of buck movement. They can reveal where bucks are traveling, how they interact, and who is going to the most patternable, providing opportunities for hunters to make their move.
Rubs serve as a visual marker and help bucks release pent-up energy. Early in October, rubs can indicate travel routes and core areas, almost as if setting the stage for what will happen in the weeks leading up to the rut. Pay attention to the direction in which the rubs are angled. One thing I look for when mid-season scouting for rubs is the way they face. Typically, a rub will face in the direction a buck travels when making them, which can give clues about his movement patterns. Look for rub lines along trails that connect bedding and feeding areas, as these can signal a frequently used path. If you find a cluster of rubs, you may be close to a buck’s bedding area or core territory. When you do, hunt these areas more frequently.
Scrapes are one of the most valuable pieces of sign to observe during October. A scrape is where a buck urinates, leaving behind a mixture of scents communicating their presence to does and other bucks. A scrape with an overhanging licking branch is particularly significant, as it’s a sign that bucks are actively using the area.
Active scrapes often have broken twigs above, and the dirt appears fresh. Bucks and does revisit these scrapes often, especially during the pre-rut, as they check for any activity or scent left by other bucks. When I find an active scrape, I immediately put a camera on it and wait for the intel to pour in, providing a basis for determining stand placement.
Using Trail Cameras to Track Deer Movement
One of my main scouting techniques during early and mid-October is walking my hunting properties to find all the scrapes and rubs I can. In recent years, I have had more cameras in place and working during October than at any given time during the summer. Trail cameras are the best tools for scouting and tracking deer movement in real time that we, as hunters, have ever had. With bucks increasing their daytime activity during October, strategically placing trail cameras can provide invaluable insights into when and where to get in close range of a mature buck. When scouting, I place cameras along trails that connect bedding and feeding areas and near fresh scrapes. Scrape cameras can capture bucks visiting the area to deposit scent or monitor doe activity day and night, and often give me the most information. Another excellent camera location is near transition zones where two types of cover meet: thick woods bordering an open field or an overgrown clear-cut. Bucks frequently use these transition zones to travel under the cover of thick vegetation and can often be caught on camera sneaking around.
Consider using cellular trail cameras if possible. I know some hunters enjoy the thrill of gathering memory cards from all the different cameras. Yet, cellular cameras provide a higher advantage when wanting to monitor deer activity without having to visit and disturb the area physically. This reduces human scent and pressure, making it less likely for deer to alter their patterns, making scouting more difficult.
Identifying Potential Hotspots Without Sign
Finding productive hunting locations doesn’t always have to be where rubs and scrapes are. Identifying staging areas, travel corridors, and natural funnels where deer are likely to concentrate will often help you fine-tune potential hot spots.
Staging areas are key locations to focus on, especially during the pre-rut. These areas are typically found within 50-100 yards of feeding areas or food plots. Bucks will hold in these spots during the late afternoon or early evening, waiting for cover of darkness before entering open areas. Look for thick cover, downed timber, or brushy edges that provide a sense of security.
Travel corridors are other areas to look for and are often defined as routes that deer use between bedding and feeding areas. Natural terrain features, such as ridgelines, creek bottoms, or narrow strips of timber, often form these corridors. Bucks will use these paths to travel safely and scent-check for does. Positioning a stand along these corridors can increase your chances of intercepting a mature buck as he transitions through the area.
Funnels and pinch points are locations where terrain or habitat features force deer to move through a narrow area. I recently hunted public land in southern Missouri, which two friends and I found while e-scouting on my Hunt Stand app. We found a thick cover strip between a river and a large open CRP field. When we arrived in person to scout, our guess was correct; it was loaded with buck signs, including rubs, scrapes, and numerous trails indicating high buck movement. Bucks will naturally pinch points in areas like that as they travel, increasing your chances of getting a mature deer into close range.
Scouting For Wind Patterns and Scent Control?
Deer rely heavily on their sense of smell to detect danger, making it vital to pay attention to wind patterns and practice scent control during your scouting missions. Yes, you need to scout the wind.
When scouting on foot, always approach potential hotspots with the wind in your face as you would hunting. This prevents your scent from blowing into the area and alerting deer of your presence. Second, scout the wind to position your trail cameras downwind of active trails or scrapes to avoid contaminating the area with human scent. When you’ve identified a productive area, choose stand locations that offer a consistent wind pattern favorable for hunting. Set up stands where the prevailing wind won’t carry your scent into bedding or travel areas.
October is a dynamic time in the whitetail woods, with bucks beginning to break from their early-season habits and increase their activity in preparation for the upcoming rut. Effective scouting is the key to staying one step ahead of these changing patterns. By understanding how deer behavior evolves in October, interpreting fresh sign, strategically using trail cameras, and identifying key hotspots, hunters can significantly increase their chances of success.
Remember to stay flexible and adapt to the conditions as they change throughout the month. Pay attention to fresh sign, adjust your camera placements as needed, and use wind patterns to your advantage. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect spot and setting the stage for a memorable October hunt.
