Strategies for Late Season Deer Hunting

Late-season deer hunting presents unique challenges, mainly when green food sources are scarce and the landscape is predominantly made up of timber and cattle pastures. In such situations, hunters must adjust their strategies to locate and target deer effectively during this demanding period.

A few years back, I remember losing some of my excitement for deer hunting towards the end of the year. After all, I had been putting in significant effort for four months, and the thrill was starting to wane. I took a break to attend an archery trade show in Indianapolis, Indiana, during the first week of the new year. At the show, I interacted with fellow hunters and explored numerous new products for the upcoming year. Following the event, I returned home reinvigorated about deer hunting. Fortunately, there was still a week left of archery season, so I grabbed my crossbow and headed to my stand for one final attempt at a deer before having to wait another year.

As is typical in January in the Midwest, I ventured to my stand that evening, bundled up in my warmest cold-weather gear to combat the bone-chilling temperatures. My stand overlooked a cattle field, and luck was on my side as the farmer had moved all the cows out two weeks prior. Just before sunset, I was fortunate enough to conclude my season by sending a bolt through a mature eight-pointer, marking the end of another successful archery season in Missouri.

Understanding Late Season Challenges

Late in the season, natural green food sources are often depleted, making it crucial for hunters to identify alternative attractants and focus on areas where deer are likely to congregate. One of my most significant challenges in years past has been not having the luxury of late-season food plots or leftover crop fields due to hunting on a property mainly made up of large timber and extensive cattle pastures.

Nonetheless, timber and cattle pastures can present opportunities if you understand where to focus your efforts. Similar to my late-season experience, deer often take advantage of any remaining grasses when cattle are not actively grazing in the same areas where bowhunters are positioned.

In vast wooded regions, where a deer’s primary food consists of acorns and native vegetation, the late season poses a challenge. Acorns start to deteriorate, and much of the available food has already been consumed by deer, cattle, turkeys, squirrels, and other wildlife, making it more difficult for a bowhunter to identify a suitable food source nearby. Improving your scouting efforts to locate any remaining acorns or other available food could enhance your chances of remaining successful in the timber. A common mantra adopted by many hunters in my local area later in the season is simple: Find the food, find the deer.

Overcome The Challenges

Scouting for signs becomes increasingly crucial during the late season, especially when traditional food sources are scarce. Cattle pastures can serve as makeshift food sources, particularly if they contain residual grains or forage. As it did for me, identifying specific areas within these pastures where deer may find leftover grains or cover sets the stage for successful hunting. The likelihood of encountering a mature buck attempting to replenish lost body mass increases, leading to potential last-minute success.

During this period, my primary focus was observing signs such as tracks, droppings, and browse lines to pinpoint deer movement and feeding patterns. While many hunters store away their game cameras by year-end, utilizing them to monitor deer activity proves valuable. Trail cameras help identify potential travel routes, food sources, and bedding areas, offering significant insights into specific buck movements.

When deploying game cameras later in the year, my setups differ significantly from pre-season or early fall scouting, where bucks engage in rut behaviors easily monitored through scrapes and rubs. In the late season, my attention shifts to water sources. In regions where water is scarce or freezes during winter, a cattle pond, for example, becomes crucial for deer survival. Positioning stands near ponds, streams, or other water bodies can be highly effective, as deer are likely to visit these areas regularly for hydration.

Another late-season game camera focus is on bedding areas. During this period, deer conserve energy by bedding in locations offering shelter and security. Scouting for thickets, dense vegetation, or hilly terrain where deer might seek refuge from harsh weather conditions can guide stand placement.

Not every hunter has access to expansive green food sources in the late season, addressing the deer’s heightened need for additional food. Nevertheless, the reality is that food is a pivotal factor in every hunt. Consider establishing small late-season food plots with cold-tolerant crops like turnips, radishes, or winter wheat if substantial food sources are unavailable. These plots can attract deer searching for supplementary food sources, even in smaller forms and without green vegetation.

Targeting Specific Late-Season Bucks

To target a specific buck during the late season, focus on the areas where you’ve identified the deer’s presence through scouting. Utilize your knowledge of the buck’s behavior, travel patterns, and preferred bedding areas to position yourself strategically. Be patient and selective, waiting for the right opportunity to present itself.

Primarily, when relying on small food sources, creating mock scrapes, and using deer attractants can draw bucks into your hunting area. Since natural food sources are limited, deer may be drawn to investigate these artificial attractants, trying to find any does who did not come into estrus during the November rut or does who did not successfully get bred. Approximately twenty-eight days after coming into estrus a first time, a doe will come back into heat a second time. By mimicking the second rut with scents, you provide a chance to spot and target specific bucks.

Whether spending your last-minute efforts at scoring a mature buck by hunting smaller food sources or trying to spice up your area artificially, late-season hunting requires much patience and persistence. Set up strategically based on your scouting, and be prepared for long sits. Deer movement may be sporadic, so staying in your stand or blind for extended periods increases your chances of encountering a buck.