Is there really an "Oct Lull"?

I was wondering how many out there believe in an Oct Lull, or do you think it's BS? If you think it's real, what makes you think so?

 

I absolutely notice a decrease in movement the first 2-3 weeks in October. I doubt deer are bedding 24 hours per day, so clearly I haven't figured out what they are doing when this lack of movement, at least by my perception, occurs.

 

Never really paid it no attention. But by Oct most places have started their hunting seasons and crops have been or currently being harvested. Maybe the extra activity from hunters and farmers drives the deer more nocturnal. Just don't know, like I said, never really paid any attention. I don't think the actual month of Oct has anything to do with it. Plus acorns are falling now and deer I have found will bypass corn and food plots for acorns. So they just may be altering their feeding habits. Just my guess though. Maybe some others will chime in. I am curious also.

 

I think the lull is just the natural transition into the rut.

The bucks get off their feeding patterns and start to push the younger bucks in their bachelor groups away. Their chemical balance is changing and they turn a bit more secluded.

Early season they get dropped on known patterns, once they change that pattern the lull begins until they start cruising. Still get bucks on the ground during it, but seems to be from hunting closer to the bedding than food source.

 

I've seen more bucks in my first two sits of the year yesterday morning and last night than I did all of last year. No idea what that means but i'll take it.

 

its just deer transitioning from summer feeding patterns to acorns where I am.

 

I agree with this. Cams tell the story for me ...day time pics drop off the last week of September thru first week or two of Oct. Then pics right back up again

 

Not real, deer change the feeding patterns and bachelor groups separate, and hunters aren't as good as they think they are because they can't figure out where they "go", myself included


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no, I do not think there is a lull I have killed almost all my deer in mid October hope this year will be the same way.

 

I think a combination of hunting pressure and pre-rut starting changes their routine. More nocturnal, different patterns leads to a "lull".

 

I always considered the "October lull" to be an excuse for me not setting up in the correct travel corridor/food source! LOL!

 

Hard to argue with visual proof. Since I started running my cams about 5 seasons ago, they show mature bucks bucks on their feet and often grouped together from 4pm-11a up until about the first full week of October, then poof they're usually solo and completely nocturnal until the last week of October. Sure there are exceptions but as a general rule it holds true...at least in the Northern Midwest, there is a noticeable "October lull."

 

I believe there is some "lull". I do notice a big decrease in buck movement both during daylight and what I see on cams at night. However the bucks have to be somewhere doing something.

I think they stay close to their beds for that week or so and eat the available food there. They know the rut is coming and they know they'll need all the energy and weight they can muster. Maybe they become home bodies and "eat in" rather than traveling to eat.

 

I think some of the lull is deer reacting to hunting pressure.

 

I think there's truth to this.

 

Right.. so what we are all saying is part of the......." lull "

 

I think people experience a lull persay is because the deer change and the hunter doesn't change or adapt to the deer changing behavior. A lot of things can factor in such ias testosterone levels are rising, acorns, etc. As we approach mid-October i'm going to hunt as close as I can to bedding areas in hopes of catching a mature buck before end of shooting time. In years past I would always tend to go to my usual spots and found that I wouldn't see much during October and would consider it the Lull. I think us, as hunters need to adapt as well especially for the mature bucks.

 

October hunting is great!!! Guy on my lease shot this a few days ago on October 3. This is a 150 class 11 point!

 

The only Oct Lull I've seen this year is me not being in the woods. That will change tomorrow. forecast is for lots of sitting and walking over the next three days.

 

I'd have to agree with the feeding patterns changing. Especially in farm country. Fields come out and deer move.