We’ve all seen it.
The endless trail of camo clad hunters with their arrows unfired, their satisfaction unmet, their pride in low supply.
“The damn October Lull’ they’ll proclaim and others will nod in silent agreement.
And maybe, just maybe, they’ll feel better that they’re not alone.
Well, you know what would feel better than swapping stories of how the October Lull is in real effect and sharing the ‘what can ya do’ attitude among the sullen hunters filling up the sporting goods store?
Bagging some deer.
First, we need to deconstruct the October Lull.
Turns out, it’s made up…
Well, kinda.
You see, it’s true that hunters struggle in October.
But it’s not like the mature bucks they’re hunting for simply vanish.
What happens is actually pretty simple.
Bucks are smart. When there is a lot of hunting going on in one area, they simply leave the area.
Yeah… That’s it.
Trail cameras in under-hunted locations see an INFLUX of mature buck movement.
Because that’s where they all went.
In order to get around the October Lull idea, you have to change it up.
The deer will first simply go somewhere else when hunting gets too heavy.
Then, after that, they will start to travel at strangerer times.
All you have to do to break the October Lull is go where the hunters aren’t.
It’s a bit like fishing. You might see several boats in one area, all of them getting fish after fish. But give it some time and that is the one spot you don’t want to fish.
So, how can we do this?
There are few strategies we can employ.
First, 
try to set up your trail cameras in different locations. Have some in the heavy traffic areas, as per normal. But also set some up in areas that just aren’t that popular.
Second, 
adopt an ‘if I’m not first, I’m last’ mindset. If you arrive to a spot and there are other hunters nearby treat it as if the spot will be barren. It’s better to be alone in a slower location, especially once the deer start changing their route.
Third,
ignore the usual time frames. We know deer like to move around in low-light situations. But as hunters are preparing for these times, the deer will start acting differently. While obviously following all hunting laws in your state, once you see deer movement get lower, try hunting at different times.
Fourth,
think outside the box. Deer are reacting to the hunters. That is the October Lull in a nutshell. You have to out think the deer. And you can do it. Deer will always want food and safety as they travel. The more food that is plentiful the more the deer will be able to vary their times and routes for travel. Understand how a deer is going to respond will keep you ahead of the other hunters.
All in all, the October Lull is both myth and truth. Myth that some arcane art or ancient curse is preventing you from getting deer; but truth in that a lot of hunters, just like you, are struggling during this time.
That doesn’t have to be the way. Make October your month.