All good points in that each farm and area is different. I am an idiot because my deer/bucks generally act the same way year after year. There isn’t much difference.
First day of season to about October 17 or 18 depending on when the first significant drop in temperature occurs. Mature bucks out in daylight are rare. It is nearly impossible to see one in the morning. They have gotten to a bed by daylight. It is possible to see one in the afternoon late in a food plot. The key is to watch the cameras. If temperature is low and you have him on camera today, he is probably going to be there tomorrow evening. Other than that it really is a waste of time to get in the woods. I always believe we do more harm than good hunting then because those deer have been in a few thousand acres of undisturbed habitat all year, and when you start hunting them they know it.
October 18 to 23, it can be hit or miss. You could see them morning or evening just about anywhere. In the oaks is good nearly anytime, and foodplots in the afternoon. But, if the temperature is normal or above normal they may just feed at night.
October 23 to 28th or 29th: This is the best time to kill a 5.5, 6.5 or 7.5 year old buck at my place. They are really up on their feet feeding morning and night. The key is to not over hunt a stand or plot. Generally, we go in to a particular stand only one time during this period.
November 1 to 10: The could be anywhere and it is really though to kill this time of the year. Too much ground and too unpredictable it is really all about luck then.
November 11 to 20th or 21st, lockdown and it is tough. The best time to catch one is between 10:30 am and 2:30 pm.
November 22 to December 1 they are starting to go back on food and corn is king. Hunt the edges of the corn fields.
The month of December I don’t like it generally.
Late season until season goes out is really good. Cold weather puts them in beans and corn. And, it is my second favorite time of the year to hunt and is the most productive when hunting a single buck. You can usually find him now.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk