Tri-State Outdoor News

It’s cold now and your local deer herd has no doubt seen tremendous hunting pressure during the regular firearm, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put a notch in your deer tag yet this season. If you have the fortitude to tough it out during the late muzzle loader and/or archery seasons, success can still be yours if you concentrate on food sources.

In the first few days after the rut, bucks tend to hunker down and rest for a few days, moving very little. But once they get their legs back under them, they know that if they are going to survive the winter, they have to strap the feedbag on in order to gain back as much of the weight as they can that they lost during the rigors of the rut.

But late season food sources are not only good places to hunt for bucks but does visit them routinely too. The deer become more predictable during the late season, regularly visiting food sources each evening.

Cut cornfields, winter wheat and soybean fields will all attract deer in the late season. Mast crops such as acorns are usually not a key food source at this time of year since they have mostly been eaten up by animals. In grain fields, if there is snow on the ground, look for areas where the deer have pawed through the snow to get to the grain. This will tell you where they have been feeding.

Stick close to food sources such a cut crop fields during the late season because the deer will be doing the same.

Once you have located an active food source, evening hunting will be your best bet. Morning hunts can pay off here, but you may end up spooking deer out of the fields as you enter your stand. Stick close to bedding areas for morning hunts.

Keeping the wind in your favor is as important now as ever. By now, deer have been hunted for awhile and are extremely wary. They also tend to group up during the late season, meaning you may likely have several deer in the food source at any given time. If they detect you, it could be game over for that hunt.

Dress appropriately. This is as important to success as anything. You won’t be effective if you are not comfortable. Trying to make the shot or remain still while half frozen will only lead to failure. If you get too cold, get down. You can always hunt another day, or perhaps you can find a brush pile or some cover to hunt from that is out of the wind.

Maintain your equipment as well. Things like to go wrong when the temperatures drop, and they invariably will. Making sure your bow or muzzle loader is properly cleaned and lubricated can go a long way to help you out in frigid temperatures.

Most importantly during the late season – don’t give up. It’s not over until darkness falls on the last day, and even though deer are very skittish now, they still have to obey their stomachs. Yes, it’s often tough to get out there and brave the elements, especially on those bitterly cold, windy days. I admit that I have often been guilty of opting to stay home rather than brave the elements, but if you have the mustard, remember – it only takes that one trip out for the deer you are after to step out.