Bucks moving ranges

[Quest1001]

I hunt in MN and I’m curious when you notice bucks separating from bachelor groups to individual patterns?

[Grizzlyadam]

I'm on the east coast and I see them split up out of bachelor groups right when they shed their velvet in mid September. Their velvet sheds as a result of testosterone build up which also causes them to be less tolerable of each other. I'm would suspect the timing is similar in your part of the country.

[Quest1001]

That’s very interesting and thanks for sharing.

So if I find fresh rubs in early to mid September this is probably their summer bedding and feeding location?

[Grizzlyadam]

No, not necessarily. If they are rubbing very early it's usually going to be for the purpose of removing the velvet. They may have made a shift already or are about to. I personally don't pay much attention to rubs until later in October when they are establishing their dominance in an area and laying down that sign for a purpose.

[Quest1001]

Thanks Grizzly! That helps a bunch.

[Elite]

I notice in WI that it takes them about one month to fully shift into their fall ranges. Summertime sightings and pictures are great, but I don't put much stake in them.

[tim]

I’ve had years where the mature bucks continue to travel consistently with a young buck throughout the fall

[thepennsylvanian]

Last year, with 16 cameras out I caught similar things on all but one camera. All the bucks I was getting pictures of had velvet going into September, then during the middle two weeks, I had all groups break up, with the first pictures I had of them hard horned being single deer... I dont know if that's the norm as last year was the first time I had that many cameras out for that long.

[Rob loper]

Older bucks. Well the few ive been watching over last couple years. have or did not moVe out of id say a 400 acre area. Now the week of shotgun in mid nov. Im not sure because i usually take the week off.
But.
If food water and most importantly too them safe bedding is in the area. I dont think they move far all year unless really pushed somehow.
Now i do think bucks have a personality and some move more some dont.
Just like humans some are more active than others.
Just like thinking how people deal with being scared in completely different ways. Some hide and some keep moving.
Early season know white oaks against Known bedding is where i try to put a few sits. Ill bounce around the same area in different pockets that have these features im looking for and eventually your gonna get him in eyesight
Rubs and scrapes i start looking for between well known doe bedding then ive been hunting the downwind side of that.
To me it all goes back too beds that you know are used all year. Especially in busy areas like most of the the east coast.
Hope this helps. .

[Quest1001]

This info is very helpful! Thanks guys and please keep it coming

[Lockdown]

Everything changes when the velvet comes off. They’re a different deer entirely. Some will still hold their summer pattern and daylight movement for a week or so. Maybe even two if you’re really lucky. Some vanish into thin air

I should mention, when I say daylight movement, hitting the beans hours before dark like they do in July and early August... that won’t happen after velvet shed.