October transition observations (don’t subscribe to Lull!😁).

[Pathman]

Didn’t hunt tonight, but took my usual 8 mile bike ride past the fields and pastures close to my home. 
On a given evening ride I’ll see 75-100 deer grazing in the ag fields (beans are pretty much done at this point), hay fields,  green fields and lawns. 
Tonight I saw a single deer out in a field, the other 25 or so I saw were all under oak trees! Now, that’s nothing unusual this time of year if the mast crop is good right, but it is a perfect indicator when viewed on a regular basis, that the “lull” is totally food source based. 

Last year the mast crop was non existent, and there was pretty much no transition in my areas. 
My cameras are showing the same result. Late August and early September  I had high activity at my sites, now, it’s sporadic at best. 

The October transition is alive and well this season in western Somerset, eastern Hunterdon Counties.

I’m curious what you are seeing at your sites, and if there’s a significant change from early Sept. to now? 

 

[Trophy8]

Deer just doing what comes natural.  Summer food source starts to fade and fresh appears. Happens every year. 

[MGHunter66]

You can’t go by the past week’s observation. We just had a heat wave come in while the deer are developing winter coats, 3weeks ago there would’ve been normal movement. A lot of bucks dropped in the last couple days including a big 7 I know of. If you see a  lull it means you’re still hunting or looking for deer in spots they were instead of where they are now. 

[Pathman]

35 minutes ago, MGHunter66 said:

You can’t go by the past week’s observation. We just had a heat wave come in while the deer are developing winter coats, 3weeks ago there would’ve been normal movement. A lot of bucks dropped in the last couple days including a big 7 I know of. If you see a  lull it means you’re still hunting or looking for deer in spots they were instead of where they are now. 

I agree, and the heat is a bit of a factor as well, but I believe the food transition is the major driver. 
If it was strictly heat, you wouldn’t see the deer under the oaks either during daylight, they’d all be feeding at night. 
 

[Mixbaghunter]

Been seeing deer move closer to end of first light. Just had a group of older doe on camera that I haven't seen yet. Heat didn't help movement.  Next week will be fun

[DocG]

Had a lot of movement last Saturday first day of regular season on trail cams and while on stand. There was a good moon that night. Been way to warm this week. I'm thinking it will pick up this weekend with the rain coming and a bit lower temps. there' s a very good acorn crop this year up in Sussex county. That limits movement as well. 

[Trophy8]

25 minutes ago, Mixbaghunter said:

Been seeing deer move closer to end of first light. Just had a group of older doe on camera that I haven't seen yet. Heat didn't help movement.  Next week will be fun

It's not that the deer are moving later...it gets dark earlier every day

[KBfishing]

9 hours ago, Trophy8 said:

It's not that the deer are moving later...it gets dark earlier every day

I follow the moon chart for peak deer activity. It has worked really well for me over the years. Rught now it says peek movement is in the morning between 530am and 8am. Secondary is between 6pm and 830pm. It is amazing how often I will see the bulk of deer movement based on the phase of the moon. During new and full moons the activity will be higher mid day. 

[Greybeard]

I never see many deer this time of year moving in daylight.  Bucks are hard horned and staying in thick cover, bedded earlier and moving late after dark. Full moon makes it be lighter before sunrise or stay brighter later at night which puts them in bed sooner and longer.  Doe no longer need to move more to eat more to nurse their fawns.  Acorns everywhere keeps them closer to bedding longer after getting up.  Ag fields are no longer as much of a lure.  Also the biggie, hunting pressure.  Won't pick up until the bucks start getting the itch in a couple weeks.  Maybe the bear hunters will move some around next week, or put them deeper into hiding.  Can't get any straight forward answers from the deer when I ask.