After last weeks unseasonably cool cold front, the daylight activity has settled down and the bucks seem to be entered in to a more nocturnal pattern. Aggressive bucks are responding to rattling, but the rut is still not in effect in Northern Missouri.

The deer have entered the cut ag fields more frequently after what seemed like an eternity of heavy browsing of acorns. Now may be a great time to hunt those pinch points and edges between heavy timber and field edges.

Anything that is still “green” (as far as a food source), should be a focus for hunting as well.

RECOMMENDATION: Hunts in the morning should still be in non-invasive stands that continue to minimize your invasive presence. Rattling sequences in the morning should produce some action, especially with more aggressive bucks. Evening hunts should be on pinch points or edges that connect acorn stands with ag fields, or stands overlooking still-green plots.

Extended 10-day forecast shows mild to cool temps that remain steady, so any opportunity to hunt after a rain or days with colder “low” temps would be preferred.