Monthly big game breakdown series
By Tom Ryle/WDFW
Big game seasons are in full swing, so we wanted to offer some month-by-month tips and good-to-knows as you plan the rest of your fall season. Starting this series with focus on October, we’ll examine our three deer species and elk to help you tailor your fall tactics and hopefully help you notch a tag or two.
Sept. 22 marked the autumn equinox this year, which is the official kick-off to fall. As the length of daylight gets shorter, testosterone levels change in big game animals, which triggers their urge to reproduce. As bucks and bulls become more focused on breeding, this can create opportunities for hunters. Tactics such as calling (making vocalizations), rattling antlers (emulating two males sparring or fighting), raking trees (making antler rubs), and even the use of decoys can be very effective for those who employ them.
(Brett A.)
The same can be said for the sage country down low. Coulees, ditches, and other terrain features can provide great security cover for bucks during the heat of the day. Time behind quality optics is a good investment. Let your eyes do the walking and save your energy for closing the distance to your target.
Remember to consider the thermal currents when planning your stalk. Cold air sinks and warm air rises. Deer rely on these thermal currents to detect danger and will select bedding locations accordingly. Often, it’s better to wait for consistent thermals/wind so you can use it to your advantage.
(Stephanie Pelham)
Notable hunting tactics include setting up on edges of clear-cuts and/or glassing for active deer. Again, bucks will be more active as Halloween approaches. A well-placed treestand or ground blind along trail intersections is also a good bet. Be sure to play the wind carefully with these set-ups. Calling deer using doe bleat calls and rattling antlers can be very effective in late October as well. Typically, these tactics produce younger bucks, but not always. You never know until you give it a try.
On a side note, if you harvest a black-tailed buck this season, please consider taking part in a WDFW study on antler points and age by submitting teeth from your deer. You can read all about the specifics in this blog post.
Here are a few tactics you might try. Hang a few trail cameras off the beaten path. Push into that thicket you’ve always wondered about and see what you can learn. Map out does where you see them and use aerial imagery to guess where they might bed, feed, and water. Locating trails between these key hangouts can lead to great stand locations. Another consideration is hunting the way-to-obvious spots most hunters purposely avoid or overlook. This is an often underutilized tactic that can pay big. White-tailed deer are crafty and adept at hiding right under your nose.
If calling isn’t your game, you can still approach October elk with focus on their breeding habits. Key in on big timber units and benches above clear-cuts. After daylight, they will move from feeding to these bedding areas where they will spend much of the day if undisturbed. Monitor trail crossings along logging roads for fresh activity and direction of travel. Cut a fresh trail with hooves pointing uphill and you’ve got a good shot at sneaking into a bedding area. If the wind isn’t cooperating, you can plan a route to circle around from above.
Another good bet is focusing on field edges where timberlands drop into lush green valley floors. These are prime feed areas for elk, especially at night. While most all fields are private and may not provide access, you may be able to set up along trail systems up in the timber. Sitting trails is a good way to quietly intercept elk heading down for the evening to feed. Be sure to know your location and avoid trespassing on private lands.
Up next
We’ll be back with another installment for November. If you find these tips helpful or have other topics you’d like us to cover, please let us know by emailing [email protected]. Until then, be safe, enjoy every moment in the field, and good luck!
