If you have read any of my writings before, you know my favorite time to hunt mature bucks is early season. Late season isn't far behind. Most people give the rut all the attention and vacation time they can afford. A good majority of big deer are killed during the rut, no doubt about it. I have to admit that it can be the most exciting time of the year to hunt. Bucks run recklessly in search of the next doe that will accept his advances. Bucks we never knew existed show up on our Moultrie trail cameras and in our food plots. Sites such as Guidefitter's Braggin' Wall blow up with successful hunters sitting behind big antlers. Why would anyone ever think there's a better time to hunt? My reason is the ability to pattern and kill. Late season ranks right up there with the early season for predictability. Predictability is something the rut doesn't have.
Food, Food and More Food
When Mother Nature throws cold temps, wind and snow at us, a whitetail’s primary concern is food. Standing corn, soybeans, radishes and turnips are a preferred food. I’ve seen mature bucks leave secure home ranges to take up residency near standing cornfields when the temperature plummets. In some instances, they may travel five miles or more to get to good feed. All fields are not created equal. Fields that are in the middle of nowhere without much security cover won't see the action that a field does that's surrounded by woods or a thicket. If the only available food source is surrounded by wide open spaces, you should still give it a look. Deer need to eat and will sometimes sacrifice cover for a full belly. A pair of binoculars and some time spent behind the wheel of your truck in late afternoon can tip you off to the whereabouts of a big buck. If snow is present, a late morning walk around the fringes of the field will give you enough evidence to know if it's worth spending time there or not. Late season is a time of recovery for mature bucks. They've been through the rigors of the rut and months of hunting pressure. Do enough scouting to have confidence in your stand location, but not so much that you bump him. He’ll travel 5 miles for food. He’ll also travel 5 miles for safety. Tread lightly.
Gettin’ Him Killed
We've got the food and the cover. We've seen him or his tracks. What's the next step? Gettin’ him dead! First and foremost is making sure you can get in and out of your stand without spooking deer. The best bet for a stealthy approach is by using terrain features to hide you. A drainage ditch, shelter belt or think fence row will keep you hidden. If that's not possible, have someone drop you off and pick you up at the stand. Animals that live in farm and ranch country are used to people being in and around these fields. Bumping deer in the truck or tractor is way better than them seeing you walking. If this isn't an option, look for other stand locations. Deer are extremely sensitive to human intrusion this time of year. Take every precaution possible to avoid disturbing them. One thing to note is the colder it is, the harder it is to sit in a treestand so comfort in essential. Summit, Muddy and Rivers Edge all make comfortable treestands that allow you to be comfortable when you need it the most.
The colder the weather this time of year, the better. A good layering system of clothes will keep you in the tree. Companies such as Under Armour and Kryptek have designed clothing for just this reason. Whichever brand of clothing you choose, make sure it is super quiet in cold weather. Practice shooting in the clothes you will be wearing. Bundling up may change string clearance and the ability to draw heavier weights. Figure it out before getting in your treestand and adjust accordingly.
Now that we have all the little details out of the way, it's time to put all of it into action. Wind direction, as always, is key. The wind will make or break a hunt every time. If the wind’s wrong, don't hunt it. Glass from afar or scout out another area. Once you get the right wind, slip in around 1pm and hunt it. I am not a late season, early morning person. Most deer aren't either. 2pm til nightfall is their primary time to feed. Don't risk walking into deer in the dark, play it safe and sleep in!
You're in the stand and the buck is approaching. Ever notice how quiet the woods are on a winter's eve? If you haven't, you will when you start to draw your bow back. The precious seconds leading up to getting him killed are always nerve-racking. Multiply that 2 or 3 times in the dead of winter. Everything creaks or cracks. Not to mention there is no winter foliage unless you are hunting out of an evergreen tree. I always try to get my bow drawn when his head goes behind a tree. It's not always possible, but that's what I strive for. When you’re cold, it’s easier to get jammed up and not be able to pull a shot off in the moment of truth so it’s important to be aware of ways to beat buck fever.
Finally, seal the deal! Aim on the lower third of the wintertime warrior and let him have it!
Another Thought
This article has been about killing late season bucks, but in the last couple years I have kinda changed my tune on killing bucks in the late season. My thought process has always been the challenge and the reward are second to none once old man winter arrives and I still believe that. What I don't like is shooting a deer that has probably been given a free pass to live another year and grow a bigger set of antlers. Most gun seasons are over and very few guys take to the woods in the waning weeks of the season. Why be the one to seal the fate of next year’s target buck 9 months early? If it's a true mature buck, by all means, kill him. But if a year or 2 could mean an extra 20” inches of bone on his head... It's a tough call but something to consider.
Still want to hunt? Cold weather forget-me-nots:
- Pack your extra layers to the stand. Do not wear them! Sweating in cold weather is disastrous.
- Check batteries often. Cold weather runs them down quicker than anything.
- Use extra caution stepping onto treestands, ice can build up on platform and steps.
- Always let someone know where you will be hunting.
- Leave the calls and extra gimmicks at home.
- Have a sharp knife with you such as an Outdoor Edge.
- Where allowed, baiting may be the ticket to punching a tag.
- Have plenty of hand warmers with you. If it is extremely cold, keep one hand warmer in your pocket with your rangefinder to help with battery life.
If you've read all of this and you’re still looking for more answers, you can check out these 10 deer hunting mistakes sure to ruin your season.
Guidefitter, Inc © 2012-2024