Food means deer.
When the temperature drops and winter sets in, deer go into survival mode to cope with the challenging conditions. They lower their metabolism and prepare for the harsh winter ahead. After months of chasing or being chased and evading every hunter, the deer understandably become pretty exhausted. During the late season, they desperately need to replenish their depleted fat reserves, even if it means risking their safety by feeding during the daylight hours. This usually becomes the first time since the rut that bucks will show up cameras during shooting hours.
If you want to spot deer during the late season, the key is to find their primary food source. As the saying goes, find the food, find the deer and this holds true at this time. In areas without heavy snow, deer will search for fields that still have grain left over from the harvest. However, when deep snow and icy conditions limit the availability of food in nearby fields, the deer are willing to travel longer distances in search of sustenance. If you happen to have the only accessible food source within a mile or more, rest assured that deer from neighboring properties will be drawn to it as well.
Hunt near their bedrooms
Just like humans, I like to imagine that deer become lazier during the cold late season. It seems that once they locate a food source, they prefer not to stray too far from it. As a result, we find ourselves approaching their sleeping areas more closely. Funnels, travel corridors, and transition routes play a crucial role in this. And if there’s snow covering the ground, look for frequently used paths.
The Right Gear
Nobody likes being freezing cold. The secret to success is being able to withstand whatever Mother Nature throws at you. It’s not about wearing bulky clothes, but about choosing the right clothing and layering up. Let me show you my approach:
The must haves:
When it comes to staying warm in the coldest conditions, I promise there is nothing warmer than Sitka Fanatic Jacket and Sitka Fanatic Bib.
Base Layers:
Not all base layers are created equal. Staying dry is big, and if you get wet getting dry is bigger… Enter merino wool. My go to pieces are the heavier weight Sitka Core Merino 330 Bottom and the Sitka Core Merino 330 Hoody.
Bow:
Make sure you get the poundage right, it’s especially harder to pull back a bow if you’ve been sitting in the cold for hours. And if it’s snowing, be extra careful to keep the snow out of the peep sight.
Pro tip! Speaking of cold, carbon is a game changer. Imagine being able to grab your bow without freezing your hand off. That’s the beauty of carbon.
