Perhaps you need to better understand this from the
deer' s point of view.
The Spring was invariably wet in the Northeast this year, as was most of the summer. We didn' t dry out until mid-August.
Because of the wet weather, the crops are a little late this year. Corn was planted late, and grew slow due to the wet weather. Alfalfa grew a little slower and is still being cut. Corn is just being cut here in New England and in NY. Acorns are overabundant, with the white oaks and this a red oak year. Apples and fleshy fruits are on time, but with the wet spring/summer they are overabundant and big. This fall has some of the best wildlife forage in the NE and New England I' ve personally seen in 10 years. The turkey poults are almost the size of adults, especially with the late arrival of the hoppers this year (didn' t peak in New England until the last week Sept/first week Oct). I haven' t been to PA this year, but I' m sure you' re also a little behind in the forage department. Just look at how vibrant the grasses still are---usually after 3/4 frosts they' re cooked, but not this year...
In general though it is mast, fruit, and crop season to the deer. October is typically slow because now is when deer really cram their bellies full for the rut and coming winter. It' s also when everyone flocks to the woods, not just us deer hunters but small gamers and wing-shooters alike.
It sounds to me as if you' re not sure how to hunt deer as they alter their travel routes from Summer/Fall/Winter. I' m not saying you can' t hunt BM, it just sounds like instead of analyzing your problem, you' re just blindly poking around the hillside looking for game (as indicated by your multiple and various stand sites). The deer are fattening up right now, so that' s where you have to be...
Find the beds and find the freshest food source---you can' t possibly have that many bedding sites on that much acreage. Go back to square one and look at the topos and aerials. Determine what the deer are eating, where they are bedding and get into a funnel or travel corridor between the two. If you can' t find the deer where you are, start from scratch like you' ve never hunted the place. You' ll be surprised, but you can probably find a new funnel or corridor to explore.
I know on my hunting properties, the deer have moved a major trail a mere 50 yards due to all of the ground water---they just found a more convenient crossing spot. AND, we have had some torrential water the past few weeks, so the water table is very high.
AND if I were you, I' d be saving that oak spot until the chasing phase kicks in heavy. Sounds like you found a territorial corner, with more than one big-boy roaming the area. Save it until the bucks are a little less wary and more intent on " taking care of business" ...
And remember, have fun. Bring some blunts and start picking off squirrels if nothin' else
...
S&R