Late Season
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rob from IA asks:Bill not a question but a comment I like too study the hind legs for any rut stain more than the head of a shed buck, all male deer will have some sort of it on their tarsal glands. i have trail cam photos for the first time this year and it seems to prove this out. of course this only works when you can see the rear legs so it`s not a perfect system.Winke Responds:Rob, It is a good point. I never thought about that before. I will start looking for that on my trail cam photos to see if it holds up in most cases (all cases). Have a great day. (2-23-12)
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Noah from OH asks:what is a good stragety to get deer to come to where you are hunting in the late bow season in ohio.Winke Responds:Noah, You have to be near food. Baiting is legal there. I have hunted over bait in the past in Texas and it was fun there. While I don't particularly like baiting in the Midwest (I think it is more enjoyable and satifying to hunt them here without bait - and it can be done successfully) I don't condemn hunting methods that are legal. So if you don't have any food sources near your hunting area you can consider putting out some corn to hunt over. Good luck. (1-21-12)
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rob from IA asks:Hi again Bill well the last weekend is coming fast I have no food source to hunt 2 tags in my pocket and a head full of indecision. with no food to hunt do I kiss the wife on friday night and hope she`s here after a 48 hour sit? Or I have a couple of good creeks to hunt would those be worth sitting near? Thanks as alwaysWinke Responds:Rob, I think with the weather we have scheduled, the deer movement will not be too great. Deer may still be browsing actually, without snow, no huge need to be sitting on the best food sources. So you may do just fine getting back in the timber near some oak trees, hoping some still have a few acorns under them and maybe something will come through. Other option is to get near the bedding areas (if you know where they are) and hope for the best. There is always hope. Warm conditons in the late season are tough to hunt because the deer aren't stressed or focused on food sources. They kind of spread out and move whenever - no sense of urgency. Regardless, good luck. (1-5-12)
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Marvin from TN asks:i.m going back to Illinois we saw a 190 classic November. What type of weather conditions are the best in the late season. pressures temps ect?Winke Responds:Marvin, For sure cold temperatures are the main weather feature you want to have. Anything that is 10 to 15 degrees below the norm will really get them feeding. Find the food sources, hope for cold and you have a decent chance for success. Good luck. Happy New Year. (12-31-11)
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Cody from IA asks:What is your reasoning behind harvesting your does during the late season? I understand that you have a high concentration of deer on your property and that there needs to be some doe removal. But why late? My theory has always been to shoot my does early in the season if possible, especially in an area that we manage. Mainly because my thoughts are that the does are already bred and the genetics you wish to pass on could have already been passed on to that doe. It is a long shot and some does will also have been bred by less desirable bucks, but there are some deer I am hunting that I want to make every extent possible to pass on their genetics. Your thoughts?Winke Responds:Cody, You are completely correct. There is no reasoning here on our end. We just harvest them whenever we can. Yes, the very best time to harvest them here in the Midwest is in September or October (before the rut) , but we don't always get enough opportunities during those times to take the numbers we need to take. I am very busy in October and barely have the time to get the kids out let alone hunt myself, so I am stuck killing them whenever I can. I used to shoot them right on through the rut, but since we started filming the hunts I had to stop that to a certain degree in order to minimize disturbance so I have a better chance of shooting a mature buck. Believe it or not, before the show I wasn't all that worried if I shot a big buck or not, I just shot does all through the rut. When you have to bring the herd numbers down - as we did in the mid 2000s - you need to take all legal measures. Now we are more in a holding pattern so I don't have to be as aggressive, but I still need to shoot roughly 30% of them every year - that is a lot of does. Good luck. Merry Christmas. (12-23-11)
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Todd from MA asks:Hi Bill Merry Xmas to you and your family. Quick question about late leason bow hunting. Is it still effective to use grunt calls and or doe / buck scents at your stands? Got the last week of the season coming up and i still have 1 buck and 1 doe tag left. We have been enjoying the first buck for the last few weeks!! Shows are great keep up the good work!Winke Responds:Todd, Sometimes the calling will work, but don't get carried away. Also, I think the scents can still work too. They won't be as effective as during the rut, but the bucks are still carrying some testosterone in their systems so the scents and calls can work. Good luck. Merry Christmas to you and your family, as well. (12-21-11)
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Nate from NY asks:Hey Bill! Love the show and all the great work you guys do! Just curious as to what your plans are for late season? Will you just hunt mainly for does since you've taken so many great buck this year, or are there bucks you are after in late season?Winke Responds:Nate, I don't have a problem with shooting more bucks as long as they are fully mature deer. Once they hit 6+ years old they are already living on borrowed time so I don't feel like it is possible to overharvest bucks in that age class. That is what I will be doing, targeting the oldest bucks on the farm. Good luck and have a great Christmas. (12-15-11)
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Bruce from WI asks:Bill, I am a huge fan of your show and wish you the best of success with it. It is the only hunting show that I watch. But, now to my question. I have a corn plot that I have been holding off hunting so far this year. There are multiple 4+ year olds in the area and this is the only standing crop left for miles. I have done my best not to pressure it. There has been some consecutive days off rain and sleet. I wanted to get out after that weather broke, which is today. But, the winds are pretty strong (20-25). Do you hunt in those winds? Ever had any success? With limited time to hunt, I have to pick and choose my days. Should I wait for the wind to break to? Thanks a ton, BruceWinke Responds:Bruce, I normally can't get to all the questions as soon as people ask them, I try, so I am guessing I missed my chance here, but yes I do hunt the windy days. They can sometimes be really good, even during the late season. Cold temps are the key, or weather changes. Good luck. Merry Christmas. (12-16-11)
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Will from AL asks:Bill, I recently read that you tend to only hunt in the afternoon during the late season. I am headed up to the midwest in a few days to run the camera for my brother and was wondering if you would even recommend trying to hunt in the morning with our limited time. If so, should we hunt close to bedding or try to get in early enough to catch them leaving food? Any advice would be appreciated and thanks for taking the time to answer these questions. Ask Winke is like "Midwest Hunting for Dummies." We all are grateful.Winke Responds:Will, They tend to get off the fields early during the late season (often well before daylight) and you risk bumping them in the mornings and then you have spoiled any hope for an evening hunt over that food source. They tend to be most huntable and most vulnerable in the evenings. However, in your case, it might make sense to hunt the AM, but you have to do it carefully. I would get well away from the food source (at least 150 yards), back in the cover in a good bedding area and come in from the opposite direction from the food and hope for the best. This is very hit and miss hunting because the bucks can go any direction after leaving the food and you have no pattern on them back in the timber. But, sometimes being lucky is better than being good. I have lived by that motto.
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Jimmy from MO asks:Hey Bill, I hunt in Missouri, and I rarely get the chance to hunt late season after our firearms. Is it still a good idea to grunt and/or use other types of calls to get deer into bow range. If yes what calls do you recomend? If no is there any other tips you have for pulling deer into bow range? Thank YouWinke Responds:Jimmy, Calls can still work occassionally, but really the entire hunt comes down to finding the best food sources and then watching and waiting carefully until the bucks you are hunting start to use them during the day. Sometimes it happens sometimes it doesn't. Hunting pressure just makes it less likely. You can be sure that the day before a hard cold front and sometimes the day the front is passing will be good. Any kind of weather change (warm or cold) often gets them feeding early. You just have to put in the time watching and waiting. It can be very good, but it can also be very frustrating if they only feed at night. Good luck. (12-12-11)
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Josh from AR asks:I have made the trip up to southern IA (centerville area) to hunt public land a couple times this year. I'm strongly considering making a last trip this holiday weekend. What strategies do you consider this time of year. Do you think the hunting will be any good the next couple of days with the high temps?Winke Responds:Josh, Not as good as it would be if the temperatures were cooler, but I always feel that November 20 - 26 is a great stretch of dates for shooting a mature buck. Temperature is big deal, but you have to be out there. I would make the trip. Good luck. (11-22-11)
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Craig from IA asks:I'm hunting the 2nd shotgun season on the family farm in Iowa this year, Dec 10-18 I'm banking alot on a 13 acre patch of CRP ground surrounded by harvested corn and bean fields. Dont believe its ever been hunted before. Trail cams show a couple real nice bucks and many does in Sept. and Oct. It is mostly tall grass with a few small junk trees but the place is tore up with scrapes and rubs. My cams were stolen so not sure whats been happening out there since. Do think those bucks will still be hanging out there in December? Will the 2nd rut be on then and what stratigy would you suggest hunting this spot, rattling, decoy, or just sit and hope. Being from Texas I'm not really a fan of deer drives.Winke Responds:Craig, It is unlikely that the bucks will still be on the same pattern in December that they were on in Sept and October. They are likely still in the area somewhere, but not necessarily living right there in that patch of CRP. I would stand hunt the edge of it the first weekend and then maybe sneak in there and hide-out in the middle of it after that time. I would not try any aggressive tactics like calling. Just sit and hope that other hunters in the area push bucks your way. Good luck. (12-10-11)
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Todd from WI asks:My son and i hunt west central Wi bow and gun. We always see great sign and visuals on big bucks during the bow but when gun rolls around these big bucks are like ghosts. I did forget to mention that this is public land. Any helpfull hints would be great as to where these big boys go during the gun season and what might be some good strategies to harvesting one of these bruisers that we see every year.Winke Responds:Todd, They are laying low in the thickest, most inaccessible areas available to them. Some may have left the public area when the pressure starts, but others are still there, just not moving during the day at all. After opening morning, you almost have to step on them to see them. Good luck. (11-27-11)
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Brian from IA asks:As badly as I want to bow hunt more in November, my schedule just isn't allowing it. The next time I plan on hunting is the late muzzleloader season. Any advice on how I can be successful hunting public land in southern Iowa would be appreciated. Also, your daily video blogs are great!! Thanks again!!Winke Responds:Brian, The best chance is to find public areas with food nearby (glassing in the evenings for deer coming off the public land will also help determine where to be). Then set up near the trails the deer are using to get to food. If that is not possible, I could do a quick scouting trip around the downwind edge of the area and look for tracks (if snow) or fresh sign. If you find the sign, set up on a likely bedding ridge or near a thick area where the deer likley bed and hunt that stand in the mornings. Those are about the best I can do. You have a good challenge ahead of you. Good luck. (11-17-11)
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brett from IN asks:I hunt the late season a lot what kinds of scents or tips to hunt the late season. I also wanted to know if you think that the late season is to late to hunt.Winke Responds:Brett, I love the late season. I don't use scents then, but focus on finding the places where the deer are feeding and hunt them there as carefully as possible. That is the key. Lots of food, cold weather and careful hunting. There is not much chance for a gimmick or a call or scent to pay off at this time of the season - it comes down to good old fashioned scouting and lots of cold days in the tree. Good luck. (10-26-11)
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Dave from PA asks:Bill, Why in the late season do you not hunt in the mornings?Winke Responds:Dave, There are three reasons. 1. deer generally get to their beds pretty early during the late season. I don't see them out in the open for very long each morning (if at all). That means it is very hard to beat them back to their beds without spooking them. 2. I try to get the late season deer on some kind of feeding pattern. That is where they are most vulnerable - near the food. So I hate to run the risk of alerting them in their primary core areas (where they bed) and then have them move to a different area (away from my food plot) or become nocturnal as a result of my intrusion. It is hard enough to keep them from knowing you are hunting them near their food, much harder near their beds. Besides, it is easy to predict where they will be in the evenings (headed toward the best food). 3. By the late season I have to get to some of the projects I put off during November so I don't have as much time to hunt so it just makes sense to pick the highest odds times to be in the tree - evenings near food are the higher odds times.
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Chris from LA asks:Hi Bill..I just returned from my lease in western Illinois. I was able to locate a large group of does and young bucks using a cut corn field for a food source, but there wasn't any big buck activity on the field to speak of. I just watched Larry Kendall's video and saw the two bucks fighting fairly aggressively. My question is this: With the rut being completely over with up there, why would these bucks be fighting like this? Are they competing for the food source or what? I didn't try rattling on this recent trip because I thought it would be a useless tactic. Any thoughts?Winke Responds:Chris, I doubt they were competing over food. My guess is that it is just a bit of left over competitiveness from the rut. Their testosterone levels don't drop immediately when the rut is over, so it is no surprise that they occassionally take sparring too far and turn it into a short fight. However, since they were not really fighting over anything in particular - more like a couple of active teenagers wrestling around - the fight didn't last very long. I think, based on the way the buck that Larry shot reacted to their fight, rattling might work a little bit. My guess is that it will be more of a curiosity thing, or a mature buck may think that two bucks are fighting over a doe fawn that just came into her first cycle. Not a high odds strategy, but definitely worth a try.
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Cody from MN asks:I'm glad you shared your late season issue with the deer hearing you feet move, especially with the sound of the snow on the stand platform. I experienced the same type of issue this year. Is there any way to help this problem such as grip tape or anything on the stand? I loved hunting late season this year but need any tips possible to be more effective in 2011. I think it can be the best season, however, it also seems to be the most challenging.Winke Responds:Cody, The only good solution is to make sure there is no snow on your boots or the stand. That means carefully clearing it off. Then move your feet as little as possible and get into postion as early as you can so the deer is still a ways off when you move. I love the late season. If you have the food, you have the deer and it is more consistent than the rut. Good luck.
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Cody from MN asks:Do you or did you take special precautions with the deer you shot or have shot in the late season with regards to their antlers. I remember watching a Drury video some time back of them having both antlers come off. Any ideas if something like this did happen how hard or more expensive it would be for a taxidermist to fix such a break? When you drag the deer out do you still pull by antlers? I had a deer get hit by a vehicle in SD and got a landowner to take the deer and I was wary of pulling on the antlers since it was Feb, however they went up and pulled it right along with no problems.Winke Responds:Cody, I didn't really think about it on this buck. He was not a big scoring buck so I was not worried about the antlers popping off. With big ones, I know some of the guys actually use sleds to pull them out at this time of the year to keep from pulling on the antlers. Larry Zach shot one last year where both sides fell off on his death run. It wouldn't be hard to fix, I am pretty sure they can just glue them back onto the pedicles and everything looks perfect. The only downside is that you can officially score a deer after one of the antlers falls off even if you repair carefully. Some bucks shed early and some shed late. You never know how close the buck is to shedding when you start pulling on the antlers so the best bet is to use a sled or something similar. We have also dragged them by the front legs on occasion.
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Steve from MO asks:I hear you always talking about hunting feeding areas for late season success but where I hunt I dont have a clear cut feeding area other than just a few fescue fields used for cattle pasture. What would be your next best strategy for a situation like this in the late season? I have woods but no crops for feeding areas.Winke Responds:Steve, You still need to find the feeding areas, but they will take other forms. They may be areas with lots of acorns or maybe an area with a high concentration of a certain browse plant. Check with a local deer biologist to find out what the deer eat in the big woods settings. Learn to identify those things and you will find the deer. Another option for next year (if you have the ability) is to plant a couple acres of the fescue to a food plot that is adapted to that area. In most areas, soybeans will grow fine and are a good first season food plot. You may even be able to fence off a piece of pasture near the woods for this purpose. Ask a local extension office agronomist about the need for fertilizers, etc. for your area to make sure it grows. Good luck.
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Randy from MN asks:Hi Bill, love the website and the tv show. My question is I have one more day to hunt this season in MN (dec 31st)and haven't been seeing much lately. You see any problem in trying a decoy and some curiosity scent along with a little doe calling? Any suggestions would be great. AWesome deer this year, congrats.Winke Responds:Randy, You have nothing to lose. Set up in your best location and give the decoy a try. I am not seeing bucks paying any attention to does right now in the food plots, but again, it may be a curiosity thing that works for you. Good luck.
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Todd from IA asks:Im hunting a similar place like youre last hunt, but no standing corn. I have no cameras out ,cant afford alot of fancy equip. I am not seeing any deer,I know there is alot of deer in my area. If I dont hunt food plots what kinda chance do I have getting a deer this late in the yearWinke Responds:Todd, It is just really tough. I would like to blow some smoke your way, but really that won't help you. The main ingredient for good late season hunting is the attractive food source. The deer totally orient their patterns around food during this time. Picked corn is OK if the deer numbers are not too high, but that gets mopped up fast by turkeys and deer both. You need a prime food source to have good late season hunting - it really is that easy. Otherwise, all you can do is look for trails entering harvested ag fields and hunt those. Once again, I hate to be a wet towel, but to be honest, late season is very tough without food. Good luck.
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Jim from PA asks:my uncle and IK have leased a 110 acres in SE Ohio and we are getting several trail cam pics of some really nice bucks the 150-170+ category. I have never hunted whitetails anywhere besides PA and for the most part 3.5 year old deer are the oldest deer, most deer just dont live very long in PA. This has been the most exciting season I've probably ever had, we got alot of pics of 8 different mature bucks. My uncle tagged out on a solid 140 8 point in November during gun season I took a moving shot at a big old 7pt and pulled the shot missed the deer clean. I plan too hunt the gun weekend and archery through till the end. What, when and where is my best bet too catch one of the mature bucks moving around in daylight? Where we hunt is almost all wooded with some nice oak ridges there is a 3 acre hay field in the middle and some BIG rubs.Winke Responds:Jim, I guess I would start at the hayfield. Hunt it just in the afternoon at first until you get a feel for what the deer are doing, or not doing. I understand that baiting is legal in OH. While I am not big on baiting myself, if it is legal you may as well consider it. In that case, a 50 pound bag of corn at the easiest corner of the field to hunt every other day would be a good idea. Then I would not hunt mornings. If you choose not to bait, watch the field to see what is coming out if anything. Then either adjust to hunt that pattern or move deeper into the cover closer to the bedding areas and set up again. If you find that the deer are staying well back in the cover, possibly still feeding on acorns, consider a few morning hunts, otherwise stay out of the woods in the morning and hunt them as they approach their feeding areas. Find what they are eating and you will find the deer. Good luck.
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Dan from MN asks:First off Mr. Winke, I just want to say that you are my hero! Really, you are The Man!! - I hear you talking about focusing on hunting over the food sources now that the cold weather has arrived. My question is how would you recommend hunting deer where there aren’t fields of corn, or alfalfa, or turnips, etc, like in North-East Minnesota (where I hunt)? The deer tend to browse on brush and trees branch tips, which are everywhere. Thanks.Winke Responds:Dan, I appreciate the support and I know what the rest of you are thinking - No, I didn't write that question and put my pen-name "Dan" on it! Shame on you for thinking that. Dan, you have a big challenge ahead of you. I would focus on bedding areas. Do some scouting and find out where the deer are concentrated and then spend your time hunting around the fringe of this area (near to the best conentration of browse in that area). I assume that in your area the deer will partially yard near food concentrations. You need to find those places. Cover some ground and find the deer and then look for food souces so you can hunt them without crowding their bedding areas too closely. Good luck.
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Mike from NY asks:Is alfalfa a good late season food source? Where I hunt all the corn is picked but some of the alfalfa fields I hunt have been left a bit longer. I know the deer prefer standing corn but I guess if it is the only food source on the property.Winke Responds:Mike, I have seen deer hit alfalfa hard during the late season here even with corn nearby (standing corn, no less). I am not saying it is better than corn, but they will definitely feed in it well after the freeze. I am not sure how hard they will hit it when the fields are covered with snow, but I am guessing they will still be getting after it. Good luck.
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Nick from LA asks:I'm heading to south IA area 6 for late muzzeloader season from Dec.26- Jan.8. What I'm wondering should I put most of my tactics on ag fields or in the woods. I've never been there before and I hunt in Natchez, MS. and that time of year we are bouncing back in forth between fields and creek bottoms. This is my first "Big Trip" anywhere. I'm going on private land that a friend ownes. From what I understand he has the only ag fields for miles around. I am pretty selective about what I shoot. We are shooting 140's or better in Natchez. So I'm lookin for somethin a little better in IA. Any help would be greatly appricated. Thank you, Nick Lapre New Orleans, LA 504-495-5876Winke Responds:Nick, I would be very tempted to stay out of the woods entirely at that time of the season. I don't hunt mornings in the late season and focus on good ag food sources for the afternoons. That will be the best strategy, in my opinion. I think it sounds like a great opportunity. Good luck!
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Mike from IN asks:First off, i've been watching since the first season and I love what you are doing, keep it up! My question is will deer feed in the late season in Hayfields? The property I hunt is new to me this year and still trying to figure it out. It is about 100 acres, mostly all hardwoods and two decent sized hayfields. The surrounding area is mainly comprised of hardwoods as well with very few agricultural field in the area. The woods are still covered in acorns, but was wondering if the deer will show any interest in the hay come colder weather and snow.Winke Responds:Mike, They will hit the hay fields if they are alfalfa or clover. They will be much slower to hit them (though they eventually will) if the hayfields are just grass. So that is what you need to determine. I would say they will hit the acorns and mix in a little alfalfa/clover, but until the acorns are gone, they will hit them. Just be careful in assuming that the acorns you see on the ground are all edible. Worms will get them fast too, and eat them from inside out. If you pick them up and squash them and they are full of black powder (not a viable seed) the worms have gotten them. You will usually see the holes in the acorns too where the worm went in. Again, just be sure to check the acorns to be sure they are even still edible. Good luck.
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Rodney Haley from AL asks:Hey Bill really enjoy your web site and love to check it everyday. I have a quick question. I have a 13 year old that will be hunting in Illinois second shotgun season. We have a nice farm we hunt and he loves to deer hunt. Like many we have noticed that the deer hve remained in the woods a lot this year with the acorn crop being so abundant. Early in the season Oct. 1 thru about the 15th the Bucks were coming to a newly planted alfalfa field that was corn last year. They would not even come up for air. Anyhow do you feel that they will come back to the Alfalfa by this time or do you think it is still a little early for them to be hitting the fields. Obviously with only a few days to hunt I hate to waste one sit with my boy. Would you put your time in to hunting the woods, CRP with a few small 1 acre fields (Turnips, biologic and clover) or would you try the Alfalfa field that is about 30 acres? Thank you for your help, Sincerely, Rodney HaleyWinke Responds:Rodney, I would be in the small food plots and the alfalfa field. It is tough to hunt acorn patterns unless the best oak trees are really concentrated. The deer will be moving toward the open fields around this time. Stick to the ag crops and you should see the deer. Good luck.
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Brian from OH asks:Bill, i really enjoy your show and the attitude & values your show demonstrate. Keep up the great work! I have a 2 part question. Part a) how many acres/properties do you personally hunt in a given season? And how many stand locations do you typically hunt? Part b) As we head into late season, would you prefer hunting a cut corn field that has had moderate to at times heavy pressure or secondary food sources that have received light to moderate pressure? Hope you are able to connect on a big one before gun season!Winke Responds:Brian, Thanks. I appreciate the support and encouragement. I hunt roughly 1,000 acres but focus on about 600 of that amount. I hunt every day from October 25 through the end of the season. I have about 20 stand locations in that area of which I hunt about 12 to 15 each year. To answer your second question, I would focus on the low pressure food source at first and then as the season advances, take a look at the other one because other hunters will drop out. Good luck.
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Waylon from IA asks:Bill thanks for answering my question and replying your comments about the late season antlerless season. Also thanks for the link. Dale will be getting an email from me for sure. I also posted this on archerytalk.com. I am not sure if you are familiar with this site or not. Hopefully we can get some other people voicing their opinions on this matter. Keep up the good work on the show. WaylonWinke Responds:Waylon, Thanks for being involved. It is up to us to voice our concerns and hopefully that will bring change.
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Waylon from IA asks:Bill, What do you think about this late season antlerless tags we have going in Iowa? Personally I would like to see it put to an end. Way to many bucks getting shot. I have found 26 sheds already this year, so I am sure bucks are getting shot.Winke Responds:Waylon, I totally agree. I asked the guy that runs the local locker while at my son's basketball game yesterday and was surprised to find that he has not received a single shed buck yet. However, that has to be the exception to the rule. I think it is a ridiculous season. Tell Dale Garner, head of the Wildlife Bureau how you feel about it. They like to think somehow that we work for them, but in fact, they work for us. Who pays their salaries, not the insurance companies: Dale's e-mail address: dale.garner@dnr.iowa.gov
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Steve Kirubakaran from MO asks:Hi Bill. Great shows this past year. Keep up the good work. My question is, how do you feel about the late rifle season and all the shed bucks that have been killed. Last I checked, it was around 1200+. I feel it is detrimental to the future of trophy bucks in Iowa since its the most vulnerable time for mature bucks since they are concentrated on food. What are your thoughts. Take care, SteveWinke Responds:Steve, I think that season is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of. How about that for not mincing my words? For all the reasons you state. If you will complain they will listen. They will have excuses, but they will listen.
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Ben from VA asks:Hi Bill. I was hoping you could give me some insight on what to expect the deer movement will be like next week in the midwest. My dad and I went on a trip to western IL the third week of October, and you'll probably remember, we had strong winds, high heat, hard rain, and zero stalks of corn cut. Safe to say we saw minimal deer that week. The outfitter invited us out for another hunt because of our bad luck, and we are driving back out right after Christmas, bow hunting the last week of December. I know you'll be in the stand also then, what will you be focusing on to seal the deal? Evening hunts over morning? How about deer movement in the late morning? What has been your history with hunting this late in the season, and what should we expect? Merry Christmas to you and your family.Winke Responds:Ben, I don't hunt mornings this time of year. I suppose it could make sense but not in bedding areas adjacent to the same areas you will be hunting in the evenings. The evenings are definitely better. However, when you are there to hunt, likely it will make some sense to be out there. Late morning and even mid-day can be good when it is really cold. On average days (30s for highs 20s for lows) the deer don't move as much during the middle of the day. We do really well hunting the late season. The key is to have a good food source and not too much hunting pressure. The deer will deinitely feed, but we have found that there are only certain days when they really seem to trigger. It seems to revolve around the weather patterns. When there is weather rolling in, they seem to feed heavily on the front side. If it warm weather after prolonged cold, they will definitely move and feed well on the backside of the warm front too. Good luck.
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Wes from IA asks:Just wondered if you could take both bow and muzzleloader along at the same time for late season muzzleloader in Iowa. No one seems to no the anwser.Winke Responds:Wes, Yes you can. I asked the Game Warden. However, you have to wear the orange requirements. That tag (the late muzzleloader tag) allows you to fill it with either a bow or a muzzleloader. Good luck.
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Trent from MN asks:Hey Bill, First Off just want to say that I enjoy the show and website very much! Everytime I watch a video clip on the website it gets me jacked for hunting! Anyhow I was just wondering, how can I bag a big buck in the late season? What are some late season tactics that have been productive for you? Where should I be hunting and what time of the day is deer activity at its peak now that we are in December? Thanks Bill for your time and I hope you have a great rest of the 2009 deer season!Winke Responds:Trent, I just answered a very similar question for another viewer. Late season is simple to hunt, but hard to find the right set of conditions. Look for good food sources in areas that weren't hunted hard (moderate pressure is OK) during the earlier gun season. About ten days after the regular pressure drops off, the deer will once again start to work into their feeding patterns. I look for secluded fields when possible. Activity will be a trickle until the weather is just right and then you will see a bunch of deer on that evening. Look for breaks in the weather - a warm up after prolonged frigid cold or a cold snap after warmer temps. That is when you need to be in your best stand. The daytime movement may only last one evening, but that can be enough if you are ready for it. Deer don't move heavily day after day, regardless of time of year. Even in the rut, it is uncommon to have heavy movement days back to back. This is certainly true of the late season. Look for these conditions and you should see some bucks. If the temperature stays prestty consistent and there are no breaks either way, it can be pretty tough hunting. Late season is all about weather and food. Good luck.
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philip from ON asks:how do u hunt after shotgun seasonWinke Responds:Philip, You have to find the places where they are feeding. Look for the best food sources in areas that have gotten moderate hunting pressure during the gun season. After some time, the deer will begin to calm back down and fall into feeding patterns. Any break in the weather (a warm spell after prolonged cold or a cold spell after warmer temps) will get them feeding heavily if only for a day or two. Take advantage of those times. Good luck.
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Al from MN asks:Bill, I will be hunting NE Iowa Dec18-20 this year on a 480 acre farm. All the corn and beans will be picked but not tilled under (weather permitting of course). My question is would you try and rattle and call at this time of year or be quiet? Also, would you set up close to the food sources or back in the thick stuff? Finally, would you expect more early morning movement or late afternoon? Thanks,Winke Responds:Al, I generally only hunt afternoons during the late season, but that is because I usually have to get back to work after the rut. If I was going to hunt mornings, I would hunt back in the thick stuff and I would hunt closer to the food in the evenings, for sure. I don't know what to expect of those morning hunts, so I had better not guess. You will have to find out and let us know. I think a bit of light calling might be OK. I wouldn't get too aggressive though. Good luck.
