Steve F. from New Jersey writes to ask about buck movements. “I’ve been watching a really good buck this summer and he is pretty predictable as I see him evenings along a field edge. Will he still be in that area in October when I can bowhunt?”
Steve, it is hard to answer this question. Several factors come to mind. First, lots of older bucks leave their home range in late September, and move as far as five miles. Some come back within a month, some come back within a year, and a few never come back.
Also, we are learning a lot from trail cameras and radio-collared deer and what we are finding is that bucks are extremely individualistic. One may stay in one area most of the year, while another may move all over the place. It makes for tougher hunting, but it also makes for more challenges and fun!
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Dr. Dave writes a weekly column for sportsmansguide.com. Dr. Dave studied deer for 30 years as a wildlife management professor at West Virginia University. In addition he has been a bowhunter for over 40 years, with deer being his main prey. He’s also an outdoor writer and has been with “Bowhunter” magazine for more than 31 years.