November is the month bowhunters dream about. Bucks are on their feet longer, searching for receptive does, and movement patterns shift dramatically compared to the early season.Â
While many hunters prefer to sit tight in a permanent stand and let the action come to them, a growing number of bowhunters are finding success with a more aggressive, mobile approach.Â
On-the-move bowhunting in November allows hunters to adapt to changing deer behavior, get in front of cruising bucks, and capitalize on hot sign in real time.
Last November, while hunting near my home in southern Missouri, I settled into my tree saddle overlooking an old logging road lined with several fresh scrapes. The afternoon started quietly, with little sign of movement, but before long, it turned into one of the most action-packed hunts I’ve ever experienced.Â
After a flock of hens and their poults passed through, I rested against the tree, relaxed and waiting for the first deer to appear. Then, out of nowhere, a deep, guttural grunt rolled across the ridge. It was so loud that, at first, I thought the buck was standing right beneath me.Â
After hearing it a few more times, I realized the sound was coming from across the field, up a thick, wooded hillside, at least 150 yards away.
Then I saw him, an absolute giant, standing just ten yards back in the brush, watching through the fence. The does, still on edge after being chased, gave away the situation completely. Unfortunately, after a few tense seconds, the buck turned and melted back into the cover, with the does following close behind.
Moments after the mature brute vanished into the cover, disappearing like the ballplayers walking into the cornfield in Field of Dreams, my hopes sank. But just as quickly, movement caught my eye.Â
A few yards from where the first buck had stood, another heavy-antlered buck emerged, head held high as he scanned the field. It was clear that one of the does from earlier was in heat, and he was searching for her scent.Â
For a brief moment, I thought my luck had turned, but like the first, he slipped back into the thick brush, taking my hopes of a shot with him.
After catching only a quick glimpse of the two bucks, I knew it was time to take a chance. It was 4:00 p.m., a time when I’d usually stay put, but something told me to move. I quietly lowered my saddle and steps, then slipped across the field to the side where the bucks had been. By 4:45 p.m., I was back in position, settled, and ready.
Less than twenty minutes later, the sound of deep, rhythmic grunts broke the silence. A rut-crazed buck was chasing a hot doe. I scanned the hillside and spotted them coming up from a steep bottom, the doe leading with the buck close behind her.Â
I wish I could say he came right into range for a perfect shot, but the doe kept him charging full speed the entire way. I tried everything: grunting, yelling, even whistling to make him stop, but he never slowed down. Still, my decision to move had paid off.Â
I was exactly where I needed to be, and it reminded me that sometimes, when that gut feeling says “I should be over there,” it’s worth listening to.
Why Go Mobile in November?
The biggest advantage of mobile hunting in November is flexibility. Deer behavior changes almost daily during the rut. Hot scrapes can go cold overnight, and bucks may suddenly shift their travel routes as doe activity peaks.Â
A stationary approach often leaves hunters stuck watching empty trails, which is what I experienced on my hunt. By staying mobile, you can learn from what you see, scout on the fly, relocate quickly, and put yourself in high-percentage spots.
Mobile hunting also helps reduce hunting pressure. Instead of burning out a single stand site, moving with the deer keeps your presence unpredictable and makes it harder for deer to pattern you.
Fitness Fuels Success
Mobile bowhunting is not for the faint of heart. It demands the ability to carry gear, cover ground, and sometimes hang multiple sets in a single day. Physical fitness directly improves hunting success.Â
Hunters who can hike steep ridges, move quietly through cover, or carry gear without exhaustion can take advantage when fresh sign or buck activity calls for a quick move.Â
When I decided to relocate my tree saddle setup, I wasted no time. I climbed down the tree as fast as I could, then literally sprinted across the field with my backpack and bow in tow. After hanging my sticks, setting the platform, and clipping back into the tree, I was drenched in sweat and completely out of breath.Â
I spent the first few minutes just trying to recover and refocus. Thankfully, the action didn’t take long to pick back up once I got settled in.
Simple preseason training, such as weighted pack hikes, core strength workouts, and practicing climbs with your gear, will pay off when you’re deep in the woods and a big buck is on the move.Â
It is rewarding to catch your breath quickly after such an explosive on-the-go move. Those early mornings of getting up at 5:00 a.m. to run or work out all seem to pay off in the blink of an eye.
Tree Saddles and Mobility Tools
A mobile hunter’s gear must be lightweight, versatile, and quiet. The tree saddle has become a game-changer for today’s bowhunters. Saddles allow hunters to quickly set up in nearly any tree, hunters can see more of area and have better shot opportunities compared to carrying a heavy hang on or climbing stand.Â
With today’s lightweight climbing sticks and lighter platforms and well-designed saddles, hunters have the ability to adapt to various tree types and cover.
Backpacks have also made dramatic changes, with packs designed for quiet carry, minimalist bow hangers, and a reliable headlamp for dark entries being equally important. Every piece of gear should serve the goal of moving efficiently and setting up quickly without excess noise.
The Role of Scent Control on the Move
While November rutting activity can sometimes make bucks less cautious, a mobile hunter can’t ignore scent control. Being constantly on the move increases the number of entry and exit routes you take, and each leaves ground scent behind.Â
Employing a disciplined scent-control routine, such as washing clothes in scent-free detergent, storing them in sealed bags, and using ozone or sprays, can help reduce contamination and give you extra time with a mature buck’s incredible sense of smell.
Equally important is playing the wind. Mobile hunting allows you to adjust your setups based on changing wind conditions. If the wind shifts mid-hunt, you don’t have to sit there and listen to every mature doe in the area blow and alert other nearby deer.Â
Instead, just adjust your position rather than being stuck in a permanent stand, and move your saddle setup to a better location.
Scouting High-Traffic November Hotspots
Scouting on the move requires an eye for fresh sign and a willingness to adjust quickly. In November, focus on these high-traffic areas:
- Travel Corridors: Funnels, saddles, and pinch points where deer naturally move between bedding and feeding areas. Bucks often use these routes to check for does.
- Doe Bedding Areas: In November, where the does are, the bucks won’t be far behind. Slip in carefully and set up on trails leading into or out of these bedding thickets.
- Fresh Sign: Scrapes, rubs, and especially tracks tell you where deer are active now, not where they were weeks ago. A hot scrape line can be a perfect ambush site, but don’t be afraid to abandon it if it goes cold.
Glass from a distance when possible, use cellular trail cameras for short-term intel, and be ready to strike when conditions align. Another great advantage of having a lightweight and compact setup is that when cameras indicate it’s time, you can throw your pack on and go!
Adapting to Conditions and Behavior
November bowhunting success often depends on reading conditions and adapting. Warm weather may cause deer to move later in the evening, so hunters need to set up closer to bedding areas.Â
Cold fronts can trigger all-day movement, making midday sits more productive. When hunting pressure is high, bucks might cruise through thicker cover. The advantage for mobile hunters is that they can quickly slip into overlooked areas to intercept them.
Continually evaluate the situation. Notice if deer are avoiding open woods. Pay attention to whether the wind is swirling. Observe if the sign is shifting closer to food sources. Mobile hunters thrive by recognizing these changes in real time and making decisive moves.
On-the-move bowhunting in November is demanding, but it can be one of the most rewarding tactics during the rut. By keeping physically fit, carrying essential gear like a tree saddle, practicing strict scent control, and actively scouting for fresh sign, hunters can increase their chances of encountering a cruising buck. November is the month when adaptability and aggression truly pay off.
