
09/06/2025
The September Shift: Don’t Lose Track of Mature Bucks
When velvet comes off, bachelor groups break up and priorities change. Food is the driver. Soybeans fade, acorns and mast take over. Bucks shrink their range and spend more time in cover.
✅ Scout smart: Find the one white oak raining acorns, not the whole ridge. Fresh caps, droppings, and tracks tell the truth.
✅ Slide off the fields: Bucks stop daylighting in open beans—move 60–150 yards inside the timber.
✅ Hunt fresh sign now: A hot rub line + big tracks = strike before it goes cold.
✅ Stay invisible: Low-impact access and thermals matter more than ever. Pressure will shift them faster than the food does.
✅ Use mock scrapes: Perfect for inventory and intel during the shift.
This window is short—scout smart, hunt aggressive, and don’t wait until the rut to make your move.
👉 Need help building a bulletproof plan for your property? MGM Monster Game Management specializes in mapping hot food sources, access, and stand setups to keep you on mature bucks all season.
— Michael Mckenzie MGM Monster Game Management