we normally hunt water holes from opener in mid august till the weather starts cooling anywhere from the first of September to the end. Have never hunted them in October on water with a bow but have shot them on water with Muzzleloader.we have more luck with decoys and an antelope challenge call at the end of September. Sounds like that should be a rifle time frame so a decoy aint a real good idea safety wise. Maybe you can hunt them with your muzzy if the rifle season is open since you enjoy the muzzleloader hunts so well.