October Ghosts Where Are They!!!

[12-point]

:confused:I dont know much about it but I heard that the first week of october the deer just go nocturna. I have a spot I have hunted for years and this time every year its like it falls off the map then it will come on later. They did bed there and still do but all my cuddeback gets is night pics. I need some advice the acorns are there and minerals good water scources so what is it?!

[GWSmith]

Dove opened on the 1st of Sept....Archery came in on the 6th of Sept.....is there a correlation between more people out in the woods and the recent dissappearance during daylight hours?

IMO...Yes...It takes awhile for deer to re-adjust to the increased traffic of humans. They have been in thier traditional areas for a reason and I believe that once they realize those areas are still safe they will return/show themselves during daylight hours.

[elkoholic]

It happens every year in my corner of the world. It starts in late August or early September when the bucks shed their velvet. There is no increase in human activity to cause it but it happens. Not only are bucks seldom seen in daylight hours but many of the bucks seem to disappear completely. I went from seeing or getting trail camera pictures of over a dozen different bucks to just night time pictures of three bucks. It is the same three on a pretty regular basis. Come mid December we will be overloaded with bucks again. When hunting at this time of year, prior to the rut, you need to find a bedding area that the bucks are using and set up as close as possible to it without disturbing the bedding area itself. That will give you the best chance of seeing a buck during legal shooting light.

[mule659]

Been seeing them all here really late in the evenings as well...nothing in the mornings. They have been coming out in the last few minutes of daylight.

[Dawg]

I've always said that deer know when it is getting close to deer season. I agree, it seems like they just disappear for awhile then slowly start to come out during the daylight hours. They know when their woods are being intruded by us and they know what to do on how not to be seen. These big bucks don't get big by being stupid!

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

I think there's a perfectly simple explanation. September is when the deer put on their Winter coats, but unless there's an unseasonable cold front, the temps are still warm. If you had to hunt in your long underwear plus your insulated outerwear right now, would you venture out before dark?

[Jorden]

It happens every year in my corner of the world. It starts in late August or early September when the bucks shed their velvet. There is no increase in human activity to cause it but it happens. Not only are bucks seldom seen in daylight hours but many of the bucks seem to disappear completely. I went from seeing or getting trail camera pictures of over a dozen different bucks to just night time pictures of three bucks. It is the same three on a pretty regular basis. Come mid December we will be overloaded with bucks again. When hunting at this time of year, prior to the rut, you need to find a bedding area that the bucks are using and set up as close as possible to it without disturbing the bedding area itself. That will give you the best chance of seeing a buck during legal shooting light.

Same thing seems to happen around here. I think it has a lot to do with human pressure, not necesarily from us, but when I'm out hunting I hear our neighbors out riding their 4-wheelers around and I would assume stuff like that has an effect.

[hyperflow]

Where im located deer opend on the 1st of oct, Tones of trail cam pictures in the day of the 1st and 2nd and since then mostly night time only pictures. As soon as there was any pressure they move in the dark only.

[ccwhitey]

I think there's a perfectly simple explanation. September is when the deer put on their Winter coats, but unless there's an unseasonable cold front, the temps are still warm. If you had to hunt in your long underwear plus your insulated outerwear right now, would you venture out before dark?

I agree

[ThethirdI]

I haven't seen a buck from my stand yet this year. I have been out hunting 5 different days now and haven't seen anything but button bucks and does. Nothing with a rack. Not even a spike. I have usually seen several by this time of the season from this spot. I'm beginning to wonder what the deal is.

[Flintlock1776]

Here:

Ghosts:

[Buckslayer]

Whoa flintlock! Thats some serious footage! Looks like steam rising off of where the sun is hitting the forest floor.

On our farm I think the increase in hunting pressure in general can push deer back a bit toward The Darkness, maybe the heavier fur has a little to do with it also (good idea).

[Zambo]

I agree with Buckslayer and others. It's as simple as increased pressure by hunters, hikers, four wheelers and other fall sports and tempetures too warm for a deers winter coat.