Christmas is a memory, and the New Year is looming ahead. But for hunters, the final hours of deer season pretty much sums up what’s left of another year. Hard to believe it’s almost over, even though buck activity continues for at least another three weeks. That means hunters with open tags still have opportunities during these final days. But the tail end of the rut is always toughest for sightings, because deer have been pressured all season long. And if you’re checking, you’re probably not seeing much on the cameras either. However, bucks are still searching for the few remaining pockets of unpressured ground. So it’s time to start hunting smart, to regroup, reanalyze, recharge, and rethink what you’re doing. That’s especially true if you’re hunting solo, because now is a perfect time to find deer you’ve been after all season long, if you can just stay with it.
Bucks are starting to leave their rutting grounds, shifting back to normal winter ranges. For many, this will be the same area(s) they used during the summer and early fall. Other pressured bucks might find different locations. Nonetheless, whether it’s old bucks you’re familiar with or new bucks moving in, you must seek out the thickest and best bedding cover you can find as these late season “honey holes” probably haven’t been pressured. Mature bucks will get the pick of the litter for quality bedding locations – and you need to be careful finding them. Try to set up between their beds and a good late-season food source. You need to look at your aerial maps again, especially if you aren’t seeing deer. Eliminate areas you know have been hunted hard. Study what remains. Connect the dots between thick bedding cover and the best food sources, and hunt these areas as long, and as often, as possible. Remember, some does are missed during the first estrus cycle, generally November 5-25. But they will come into estrus again about 28 days later. That will likely lead a few receptive does right into the middle of all this. Stay focused on bed-to-feed patterns, but don’t forget to throw some rut tactics in as well. Most of the older does are bred by now. What’s left is usually young does. This is good for hunters because young does aren’t as wise. Mature does will drag bucks into thick cover, but younger ones often wander out into food sources with bucks in tow. This late-season behavior can spell trouble for big bucks, so you need to be there when it happens. Deer also become relaxed as the pre-rut, and hard rut-hunting pressure, gradually fades away. I love being in a stand on days like this, because there is still a lot going on if you play it smart. And more deer moving in is always a bonus.
Many of you know I hunt alone. So, these late-season tactics, and others like them, become very important to me. From one deer hunter to another, here are a few more late-season tips that I’ve learned, mostly the hard way, over the past 47 years of hunting deer, and from some great New England deer hunters who have shared their knowledge with me along the way. My hope is that something you read here will help you right now or maybe sometime in the future:
Primary and Secondary Food Sources: I’m repeating myself, but telling you, food is king during late season. Find the food, find the does, and you’ll find the bucks. But you must be careful with your movement and scent control. Good conditions are necessary, and you need to sit tight when you get them. Frigid cold temperatures keep deer moving and active in the winter, which can really help when using this tactic. On the flip side, if it’s warm and deer aren’t moving, get as close as you dare to their bed areas, but you must be careful while hoping for the best. Especially if you’re hunting alone.
Fresh Rut sign near Bedding Areas: I’m not a big fan of hunting real close to rut sign. But in late season, as more does are bred, some bucks will start leaving heavy rut sign again, usually near thickly covered bedding areas in search of security and sanctuary. If you’re finding fresh rubs and scrapes, stay close to these spots and set up near them. But please, watch the wind direction and use a different cover scent as, by now, these bucks have seen, smelled, and heard everything. Setting up in a hot spot like this can be magic. But caution is required if you want to make contact.
Remember, lots of hunting has happened by now. Deer know it and they’ve seriously felt the pressure, which makes unpressured pockets of quality habitat prime locations to fool a late-rut buck. Deer are quietly gravitating to these areas right now. And if you can find one, you should gravitate there too.
Joe Judd is a lifelong hunter and outdoorsman. He is an outdoor writer, seminar speaker, consultant and active member of the New England Outdoor Writers Assoc. Joe is also a member of the Quaker Boy Game Calls, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Pro-Staff.