I have never hunted white tails in the winter and here in CT we can hunt (in certain zones) until January 30th. I've got permission to hunt some nice land and would still like to put some venison in the freezer. Any tips? Will they move over to feeding in day time?
Most will agree that food is the key for late season. As far as daytime feeding you have the typical before/after winter storms, or my favorite, the 3rd day of some really, really cold temps.
If you're still hunting/scouting, look for south facing slopes.
If I could just get away from the office, maybe I could put my money where my mouth is!
dress warm!!he he he
I certainly can't help you..I'm from the south and living in Illinois now, in the middle of about a foot of snow. All I can do to make it across the yard.
Going to see how far I can get this morning.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v71/Iflytrout/Pictures/snow.jpg)
moving like crazy for me in CT stay near the food and keep your feet warm that's the first thing that gets me back in the house is cold feet!!
Good luck i hope you fill that freezer
Find browse. Also look for stands of hemlocks. It should be easy to fing trails with the snow. Good luck
Around here a good cold winter with a fair amount of snow will bunch the deer quite a bit..
An area will either be feast of famine.
Good thing is driving back roads late afternoon the feast areas are pretty easy to find, and with a little luck you can gain permission.
Typically deer will move earlier in the afternoon, but also will bed not far from the food source so on occasion it can be tough setting up in between bed and feed.
If you can handle the weather it can be a great hunt.
The other things is a lot of bucks have dropped their head gear. If possible try to avoid taking shed bucks.. They have survived through several season and deserve the right to grow a bigger rack next year.
Take advantage of the snow to see what travel routes they are using(a dirt path when all else is white), the heavy ones will be to and from food as mentioned. Oh and use a compass or GPS so you dont get lost,snow will confuse you fast.
I don't hunt the late season much because my areas are completely void of deer due to them herding up near better food sources on land I cannot hunt. But in the past there were a few occasions where I was able to hunt such an area and it was a blast. The deer moved long before dark and were very predictable due to limited food sources. As was mentioned the hardest part about this time of year is simply getting into position undetected and staying warm!
One thing is for sure,They have to Eat.Get in their Kitchen, and you will be rewarded eventually.If you have Cold, Temps,and Good Snow Pak, get in the Pines or Hemlocks between Bedding and a Proven Winter Food source, and Tuff it out.Remember the Song,"Sooner or Later, Love is gonna getcha" If your persistant, it could be "Sooner or Later Arra gonna Getcha. Dont overthink it.Pine's under Heavy Snowfall provides the Path of least resistance for Travel,the Deer are there! Think Funnel!
Great advice given already! Stay between bedding cover and food, they will come! Find the food source and you will find deer close. Good luck!
white and gray camo and warm clothes underneathe. All other remarks here are right on. Gotta have warm hands, elbows and shoulders (in addition to feet) or maybe that is just me getting really old....
There is quite a bit of mid day movement around here when its cold. Deer seem to conserve energy during the coldest parts of the day/night. Sometimes the warmer temps at mid day will reveal tender browse in the sunnier areas. My experience at least.
We hunt thick areas, or usually do drives. its fun.
I like to hunt the thick stuff. I hunt big woods deer and thickets are where its at right now. Plenty of food and cover in big overgrown briar patches.
It is hard for me to sit in an area I can only see 20 yards at most but it pays off.
Rob
Dress in several layers.
The Heat Zone hand warmers are a godsend.
Good winter pack boots are a must.
If you can use a lower poundage bow.(easy to pull when all bulked up and cold)
Don't eat yellow snow! :biglaugh:
We got 9 inches of snow last night. Time to find out where they eat and sleep !
Thanks for all the advice. I''ve realized several things.
There are lots of nice trails on this property.
It's fun tracking in the snow.
I need some new long underwear.
It's almost impossible to stalk a deer in 9 inches of snow, but it sure is fun to try.
That doe may still end up in my freezer
Looks like a fun January for me!