Bow hunting for whitetail deer late in the season (December and January) is by far my most enjoyable time of bower season. Many times they have been the best vintages for large racks. Most of the time, I try to stock my freezer with venison, but sometimes that added bonus comes along with a great rack. The bucks are still looking for that doe that hasn’t mated yet during the first heat. Young does hatched in early spring can and will actually go into estrus late in the season. This gives the males a second chance to mate, and you, as the bow hunter, a second chance to harvest a good mature male.
I usually wait until a couple of weeks after rifle season is over and the deer have normalized before beginning my second archery deer hunt. I’ve noticed that during the last archery season, the hinds are very wary of their surroundings, but the buck keeps prowling for his last chance to spread his seed to a doe that wasn’t caught during the first streak. Hunting one of his rutting stallions on a calm, cold December morning can result in spotting one of his best cruisers, looking for his last chance at rutting season.
Quite often during the last archery season I have seen deer gather in fields of cut corn or fields of beans. I think the reason for this is possibly deer prefer corn or beans left on the ground that have softened due to moisture absorption from the soil. After scouting out where deer have been moving out of the brush into the cut fields, I will be setting up my post near these areas. Many times I have seen deer approach a mowed field, stop and look around for a long period of time, and then walk straight into the center of the field without stopping for a second, without giving it a shot. If you see a mature male out in the field a couple of nights in a row, change him and place his stall near that spot. The reason for moving their stall is that mature males do not always use the same route that females or smaller males will use. In addition, the mature male usually goes out into the field in the late afternoon. Consideration should be given to placing the support deeper for him in the forest. This can allow you to see the shooter from him before it gets dark or it’s too late.
In the northern states, when the temperature is below freezing or colder, you may want to hunt closer to dense thickets of pine, cedar, or spruce when possible. Temperatures within a scrub or swampy area can be 10 to 15 degrees warmer than tall hardwoods. During the late archery season, deer often change their habits and move into thermal covers during a cold snap. It is also recommended to choose a pine to set up your treestand. The pine tree will give your background a better chance of not being seen. If you don’t have the pine to choose hunting in trees, then consider hunting on the ground with a well-constructed, concealed blind.
When bow hunting in the cold weather, I like to pull back on my bow from time to time while in my holder. About every thirty minutes, you should pull back on the bow to stretch the muscles and prevent the bow from making too much noise. Many times the bow can freeze, especially if it is snowing or freezing rain.
Staying warm is sometimes a problem. Layering hunting clothing is essential, but can be a problem when shooting a bow. Newer technology has helped this problem. Wearing hand warmers and body warmers or wearing the new sweat-wicking long underwear can cut down a few layers of clothing. Boots with 800 to 1200 grams of Thinsulate are also recommended. Being able to stay outside longer without getting cold could make the difference in whether or not you succeed on your late-afternoon archery deer hunt.
Whitetail deer archery season in December is one of the quieter times of the year. So, get out there and enjoy mother nature at her best. Take home a rack that your hunting companions will wish they had harvested instead of sitting at home by the fireplace.
Good luck
Y
keep warm