September marks the start of the bowhunting season marathon. It’s a month full of opportunity, but if approached incorrectly, it can also set you up for frustration throughout the rest of the year. This September hunting guide will help you maximize your early-season efforts, avoid common mistakes, and gain the insights needed to start your season off strong.

Marathon, Not a Sprint

The first and most important thing to remember in September is that the season is just beginning. Bowhunting is a marathon, not a sprint. Making unnecessary intrusions or “going all in” too early can derail the next three to four months of opportunity.

For most hunters, the anticipation has been building for eight months, but patience and strategy must win out over excitement. Even small mistakes, like applying pressure too close to bedding or food, can alter movement patterns for weeks. Early-season success comes from discipline, caution, and carefully timed decisions.

On private land, hunters can afford to be more patient, waiting for a high-odds opportunity to strike. But on public land, the strategy often flips. Hunting pressure from other bowhunters, bird hunters, and general activity creates a competitive environment where “waiting too long” often means missing your window. On public land, being aggressive at the right time is critical to beating other hunters to valuable spots.

September Hunting Strategies

Evening Priority

During the early season, September especially, your focus should be on evening sits. Travel corridors between bedding and food, bedding-to-bedding corridors, and small pass-through food sources are high-percentage spots to intercept a mature buck. Acorns, apple trees, and other soft-mast sources are excellent locations to target this time of year.

Avoid hunting large destination food sources in September. The risk of getting detected is simply too high, and the reward rarely matches the pressure you create. Instead, focus on smaller, more controlled setups that allow for non-intrusive access.

Avoid Mornings

September is not the time for morning hunts. Deer are typically returning to bedding areas before legal light, making it extremely difficult to enter undetected. The probability of spooking deer on a morning sit far outweighs the slim chance of catching a buck in daylight.

During the early season, movement is minimal - usually just bedding-to-food and back again. Unless you have highly consistent intel of a buck using a specific route at first light, morning hunts should be saved for the pre-rut. While mornings account for much of my mature buck success later in the season, September is the time to stay disciplined and wait for a better opportunity during late October.

Exploit the Summer Pattern

In the very beginning of the season, one of the best opportunities is to catch a mature buck still locked into his summer pattern. This is especially true in regions where summer ag fields - like beans and alfalfa - remain green and attractive well into September. If you’re fortunate enough to have this opportunity, move quickly. As fall approaches, bucks shift into their fall ranges and patterns, and that window of predictability closes fast. (For more on this, see our article on The Annual Whitetail Shift.)

Hunt the Weather

Weather is the most consistent predictor of whitetail movement. Whether it is September or any other month, bucks respond to changes in temperature, wind, and extreme weather. Look for significant temperature drops of 10 degrees or more, especially when paired with calmer winds after a period of high winds.

For example, yesterday it was 60°F with 30 mph winds, today it’s 45°F with 15 mph winds. That’s a green light. Similarly, hunting just after major storms - lightning, hail, or heavy rain - can also provide incredible movement windows as deer get back on their feet.

Allow the weather to influence when your first sit will be - just because it is opening day, doesn't mean you need to sit.

Common Failures in September

Unfortunately, many hunters make mistakes early in the season that can have lasting effects for the rest of the year. The two most common failures in September are hunting invasively in the mornings and attempting all-day sits.

As discussed earlier, morning hunts in September carry high risk and very little reward. Hunting near bedding areas at this time of year often results in spooking deer without gaining significant opportunity.

All-day sits fall into a similar category of wasted effort. September movement patterns are much different than those of the rut, and mature bucks rarely stay on their feet during midday hours. Even if you manage to find a perfect “X” of intersecting movement, chances are you’ll still spend most of the day without activity. Rather than burning yourself out and applying unnecessary pressure, focus your energy on high-odds evening sits and save the all-day efforts for later in the season.

Doe Harvest in the Early Season

While late season is typically the optimal time for doe harvest, September can be an excellent opportunity. If you’ve just tagged a buck, consider taking a doe on the same hunt. You’ll already be making an intrusion for recovery, so doubling up minimizes pressure by consolidating disturbance into a single event.

As the rut approaches, it’s best to back off. Pressuring your property with unnecessary doe harvests in late October or November can work against your long-term goals. Instead, capitalize early, or wait until the season winds down for your next chance.

Conclusion

September can be one of the most rewarding times to hunt whitetails, but success depends on strategy and discipline. Remember, the bowhunting season is a marathon, not a sprint. Prioritize low-intrusion evening sits on small travel corridors or pass-through food sources, avoid mornings, and always hunt the weather. Utilize this September hunting guide to increase your success for this fall and for years to come!