Well tonight is Halloween and I’ve already got my costume all picked out. I’ll pause for a minute to let you guess what that might be based on this week’s column title.

I’m going as a Mossy Oak camo-clothing model. I don’t expect to see a lot of visitors, but I have a special 150-grain treat for one particular visitor if he does a passable imitation of Bullwinkle.

I’d love to be able to say that today is Oct. 31 and next week on Nov. 6 at 12:01 a.m. the rut officially begins. But it’s not that simple. According to Charles Ruth, Deer Project supervisor for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the historical data shows that most record book deer are taken by hunters during the last two weeks of October and the first two weeks of November.

Since Halloween is dead center of Ruth’s projections, deer hunters need to be in the woods now. Per additional data collected by the Department, several counties just below Columbia hold the biggest records while Game Zone 2, the area comprising Anderson, Laurens, Greenwood, Abbeville, McCormick, and Newberry, aka, the closest areas within an hour or so drive, are well represented in the mix for an occasional record buck, but more for a healthy representation of the state’s deer herd.

Our claim to fame here at home in upper Oconee, Pickens, and Greenville counties is the occasional record book buck with huge body mass behind it from walking uphill all it’s life.

Trophy deer management is in the eye of the hunter. Most area deer clubs that try to promote trophy management require deer have at least 8 points and antler mass that extends outside the ears. Others require that any buck that’s harvested be a “mountable” deer-again relying on the eye, and the wallet, of the beholder. One thing is for sure, now is the time to be selective, that so-so 8-point that steps out with a bit of trepidation probably means he’s watching his step.

On the other hand, deer with blown up necks and racks and a sense of owning the place are probably the best in the immediate area.

Here’s some things to bear in mind when looking for the latter deer:

*Areas with high food concentrations are still going to be attractive because the food attracts does and does attract bucks. When the rut goes into full swing, many male deer will forego eating while the does continue to pack on weight.

*Scrape lines and rubs are better indicators of buck activity. A fresh scrape is a sure indicator a buck, maybe not THE buck, but a buck is in the area. Remember that bucks often check scrapes from downwind and don’t have to stand over the scrape to check it for the presence of a willing doe. Play the wind to your favor.

*Deer are by nature social creatures with lots of small grunts and blats taking place year round. This time of year the topic of conversation is the same and the best calls to use either imitate a floosy doe or a smart-aleck teenage, buck who wants to prove himself.

Finally, don’t forget to e-mail me photos of those big bucks when you get them. Thanks to local hunter Brad Hunnicutt who killed this monster 7-point on Oct. 24.

Got outdoor news or photos to share? E-mail Phillip Gentry at pgentry6@bellsouth.net.