By Heath Wood
When October rolls around, whitetail hunters know that deer movement can change in a hurry. Bucks that seemed predictable just a week or two earlier may suddenly disappear from familiar feeding areas, leaving hunters wondering what happened. In many parts of the country, the answer is falling acorns, changing food sources, and the beginning of the October lull. But while natural foods can make deer harder to pattern, hunters still have options.
One way to keep tabs on deer activity and potentially encourage deer to visit your hunting arearoutinely is by using a supplemental feed such as BB2 10+, which is available in granular and block form. This formula combines Big and J’s notorious aroma with an easy and convenient application method, giving hunters another option for scouting and hunting. Whether you’re getting a stand ready for an upcoming hunt, scouting deer with trail cameras, or simply trying to keep deer in a specific area with an established feeding site, the apple aroma of BB2 10+ is one of the most significant ways to do just that.
A Familiar Aroma Deer Know
Thirty years ago, while hunting with my father and brother on a piece of ground owned by one of my dad's co-workers, one of our favorite spots on the property was an old apple orchard that probably once had a house nearby. When we hunted there, it was overgrown with tall grass, yet the apple trees were always a magnet for deer in late September and October after all the ripe apples had fallen to the ground. Being a young teenager and a new hunter, I had my first close call with a mature buck while hunting in a homemade ground blind made of limbs and brush near the orchard. On a cold October morning, I was fighting the brisk temps that led me to stand up and move around to get my body heat going. Sure enough, when I began to generate some body heat, a heavy, dark antlered buck blew from the back of the apple orchard, running away before I had the chance to even pick up my bow. Oh, the lessons we learn when we're young.
Apple is a familiar scent to hunters and the deer themselves. From dropped apples in an old, overgrown orchard to hunting attractants on shelves in sporting goods stores, deer have encountered apple aromas in a variety of environments. That familiarity makes apple scent a popular option for hunters looking to add another tool to their scouting or hunting routine. BB2 10+ is designed around that recognizable apple aroma. When selecting an attractant, hunters should consider more than just its smell. Where it is placed, how deer use the surrounding property, and what natural food sources are available can all influence the results. A strongsmelling attractant or supplemental feed won’t automatically override a preferred food source or make a mature buck abandon his normal routine. However, when used with a little thought, it can be a piece of a broader scouting or hunting plan.
Granular Convenience in the Field
One advantage of Big and J’s BB2 10+ granular product is the convenience it offers when preparing a site. Hunters can carry it in their backpack, or with the 6 lb. bag option, it can simply be carried in one hand and then poured out where permitted without having to haul bulky equipment or drive vehicles into the woods. Another benefit of smaller and easy to carry bags is for mobile hunters, who know convenience matters. For saddle hunters or hunters who frequently move between stand sites, minimizing gear and weight is crucial. A granular attractant offers a practical solution when planning a site, provided it is approved by local regulations and rules.
The Block Option for an Established Site
For hunters who prefer a block format, BB2 10+ Block provides another way to incorporate the apple aroma into scouting or a multi-day hunting opportunity. A BB2 block can be convenient for use in front of game cameras because it can last longer without having to replenish feed as often, which eliminates human scent and pressure, or when feeding sites are a longer walking distance and it is harder to get more feed refreshed. For hunters, a block can last several days in a row when hunting. This keeps the stand site ready, without having to carry more feed each day.
Putting BB2 10+ to Work During the October Lull
October can be a frustrating time for whitetail hunters. Early season patterns begin to change, hunting pressure increases, and bucks change their patterns to seek thicker cover instead of visiting the same food source each evening like they did in late summer or early September. In timber country, acorns are often a major factor for a sudden shift in travel patterns. When white oak acorns begin falling, deer can quickly change where they go and how they get there. Now, a field or small food plot may receive less attention as deer take advantage of food literally falling from the sky.
This is where scouting remains important. Instead of assuming deer left the area, look for fresh tracks, feeding sign such as empty acorn tops, droppings, and new trails that have suddenly appeared in the woods. Trail cameras can help reveal which areas are getting the most activity and whether deer are visiting during daylight or after dark. BB2 10+ can be used as part of a larger strategy, but hunters should first understand what deer are already eating and where they are traveling. An attractant is best used when it complements natural food rather than replacing it. Before using, again check local and state regulations, especially when used during hunting seasons.
Let Trail Cameras Help Tell the Story
One of the best ways to ensure a productive scouting location is to let your trail cameras do some of the work. A camera can help hunters determine whether deer are using an area, when they are there, and help determine when a food source shift occurs. If you’re adding BB2 10+ into that site, make a physical or mental note of activity before and after using supplemental feed attractant. Keep camera placement and observation periods reasonably consistent so you can make a more useful comparison. Pay attention to more than just how many deer are in one photo. Look at the time of day, direction of travel, age classes, and whether bucks are coming in consistently. Those details can help you decide whether one location deserves more attention or whether it is time to move somewhere else.
Another Tool for the Whitetail Woods
A successful deer hunt rarely comes down to a single product or tactic. It takes an understanding of food sources and when they change throughout the year, bedding and cover, wind direction, hunting pressure, and daily movements of the deer being hunted.
BB2 10+ gives hunters two opportunities built around an apple aroma to consider when scouting and deer hunting. Whether you're watching an established site or watching deer movement as October food sources change, the key is to use the product as part of the strategy. When the October lull starts to show, and familiar patterns begin to change, don’t stop scouting. Follow the food, pay attention to fresh sign, and let your cameras help you understand what’s happening on your property. The more you learn about how deer respond to changing conditions, the better prepared you’ll be when the next chance of harvesting a mature buck comes along.