I admit that October whitetails are some of the hardest to hunt. You may catch a bachelor group pattern early and some rutting late, but in midmonth mature bucks go undercover more than the chipmunk that was sharing my sleeping bag at elk camp (true story!).
I'll be hunting whitetails the first full week of the month so I'm concentrating on two things: bachelor patterns and food. There won't be much going on for rutting behavior yet except the occasional kick or head butt for pecking order status. Instead, I'll be watching from afar with my
Nikon spotting scope hoping to discover a pattern worth my time. This will likely be on a hayfield or even a grain field and then the hunt will be on.
For those of you in acorn country, keep tabs on the crop. This is also a good ambush location along with apple orchards. Don't worry about setting up on the best tree, but instead set up along the most used trail leading to the mast.
Finally, be flexible. If you need to move a stand, be proactive and get the job done. It could be the difference between a trophy buck or an un-notched tag. If you'd like to read more get a copy of the October 2010 issue of North American Hunter. My whitetail column goes into details on October whitetail strategies.
With a little roasting and some salt these wouldn't be half bad.