Whetstone Weekly: Halloween Whitetail Tactics

Welcome back to Whetstone Weekly! First, let me apologize for the recent hiatus. I've been traveling like a madman lately, but the steady flow of Big Buck photos from clients has kept me inspired! Halloween has always been my favorite day to be in the woods, but instead of having a bow in my hand, I’m here at the keyboard, sharing a few pre-rut tactics to help you close the deal on your target buck.

We’re deep into the pre-rut, and bucks are making moves. Younger bucks are chasing does, while mature bucks are checking scrapes and working rub lines more regularly. Here are some key variables to consider as you plan your strategy for this time of year:

Buck-to-Doe Ratio

A balanced buck-to-doe ratio is essential for encouraging daylight buck movement. When ratios are close, bucks must expose themselves more often to locate estrous does, leading to increased visibility and hunting opportunities during daylight hours. In herds with more does than bucks, mature bucks may still show up on trail cams but often remain mostly nocturnal, as they don’t need to move far to find does.

If you have a balanced herd, focus your hunts around known doe bedding locations. Bucks will be cruising these areas, especially in the mornings and early afternoons, hoping to find does coming into estrus. However, if your herd is unbalanced with an excess of does, your time might be better spent near food sources that does frequent. Bucks will likely be checking these areas for feeding does, offering better chances at interception.

Food and Water Sources

As deer polish off the last of the white oak acorns, they shift to red oak acorns, crop fields, and food plots. Bucks are covering ground more than ever at this time of year, driven by the need to refuel. High-fat foods like acorns, soybeans, and corn are prime targets, giving bucks the energy they need for their increased movement.

Don’t overlook water sources, especially on warm days. Bucks get thirsty while they’re seeking does, and if you’re aware of a secluded water source, it can be a prime hunting spot. Setting up near a watering hole, stream, or pond can provide an excellent opportunity to catch a buck as he stops to rehydrate during his search.

Hunting Community Scrapes

Not all scrapes are created equal. While a typical scrape might be made and checked by a single buck, a community scrape is a much larger, highly trafficked scrape that serves as a social hub for multiple deer. Community scrapes are often found in key areas like field edges or near bedding locations and are generally much larger than standard scrapes. They’re also used by a broader array of deer, including multiple bucks and even does, meaning these scrapes get checked more frequently.

Setting up near a community scrape can be a great tactic during the pre-rut. Bucks, especially mature ones, will visit these scrapes more frequently as they monitor does coming into estrus and keep tabs on other bucks in the area. Since they act as information centers for the herd, community scrapes can be an ideal spot to catch bucks moving during daylight hours as they assert their dominance and check in on potential mates.

Terrain Features: Pinch Points, Funnels, and Mountain Hubs

Natural pinch points like saddles, cliff faces, or creek crossings are excellent spots to target during the pre-rut. As bucks ramp up their movement, they tend to stick to the most efficient and well-established travel routes, which often lead them through natural funnels and pinch points. Setting up a stand or blind in these areas increases your chances of intercepting a buck as he follows paths of least resistance in his search for does.

One feature I’ve grown fond of, especially while hunting the big woods of West Virginia, is what I call a “mountain hub.” These are mountain peaks with multiple finger ridges radiating off a prominent point. Bucks will run these finger ridges, especially in the mornings when rising thermals allow them to scent-check the hollows below. Another advantage is that these hubs offer access to multiple aspects in close proximity, providing deer a range of thermal refuges depending on their needs—south and west slopes for warmth or north and east slopes to cool down.

Good luck out there this season! I’d love to see how your hunts are going, so please send in your photos! Who knows, your deer might even be featured in a future Whetstone Weekly. Until next time, stay safe and enjoy every moment in the field!