01What the research found
RECEIPT
The study
Penn State: early October against late September
WherePennsylvaniaSampleAbout 5 bucksWhenFall 2017
What they did
Compared the average hourly speed of tracked bucks for October 2 to 22 with the two weeks before.
What they found
- The researcher's words: "If there is any difference, I don't see it."
- None of the weekly differences were statistically significant.
- His aside: if there is an October lull, maybe the deer see a lull in hunters.
Limits
- About 5 bucks, one fall, one area.
- A blog post, not a paper, and it gives no speed numbers.
Source. Diefenbach, D. "October Lull." Penn State Deer-Forest Study blog, Oct 17, 2018. deer.psu.edu →
RECEIPT
The study
Wisconsin: 188 GPS bucks through the rut
WhereSouthwest WisconsinSample188 bucks, GPS, hourlyWhen2017-2020
What they did
Tracked GPS-collared bucks with a location every hour through the rut.
What they found
- Movement tended to rise from mid-October to a peak the week of November 5 to 11.
Limits
- The data start October 15, so it can't compare October with September.
- The peak is averaged across all ages and all four years, not each year.
Source. Hunsaker, Gilbertson, Storm and Turner. 2025. "The Breeding Season and Movement Ecology of Male White-Tailed Deer in Southwest Wisconsin." Ecology and Evolution 15(7): e71589. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov →
02My read
MY READMy tactic, not a study result
Deer don't quit moving in October. The food changes. When the acorns are dropping I look for them near thick cover and hang the stand there.
Neither study tested acorns or stand placement.
03Field notes
- Don't skip early October because of "the lull." The data above doesn't support it.
- Follow the food. When acorns start dropping, find the ones near thick cover.
- Check your own state's season dates and legal hours with your state wildlife agency.