Friday, May 15th, 2026

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Friday, May 15th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Early-season whitetails: Here are four food sources to target in late September, early October

Nutrient-rich and variable (thanks to multiple oak species) acorns provide complex carbs to build winter fat. (Adobe photo)

The rut gets all the attention, but if I know where a big buck is living, I’d rather hunt him in late September or early October than any other time of season.
In September his world is small. He’s found some bedding cover where he feels safe. He hasn’t worried about hunters in more than eight months. His world consists of sleeping, eating as much as possible and avoiding the occasional predator. If you can get even basic intelligence on this buck, I’m convinced the first few weeks of fall are the absolute best time to tag him.
Of course, you’ll need to know what he’s eating, and here are four of the best early-season deer foods to check out.

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