Late season hunting?

[PUDDLE JUMPER]

Its getting to be that time when you can pretty much have the woods to yourself now. The hunting can be tough; but I have come to really enjoy this part of the season.

I am not as big a fan of rut hunting as most. Early season through October is my favorite.

Anyone find this time of year to really be a favorite?

Iowa woods can have an ambience that is very relaxing in the late season.  If the deer are grouped up and not where you are, a few blunts for small game can make or break a day.  I am always amazed how the turkeys and deer show up right when I go after a pheasant, when there were no tracks in the snow of them before.

[PUDDLE JUMPER]

Best time of year to roost turkeys in Ky. You can hear them fly up a good ways off. Set up the next morning close by. Never closed the deal like this but still trying.

When winter sets in turkeys can be fairly predictable, the trick is if they are on land that is accessible.

[Tim]

I would have to say I prefer the late season.   I have one property in particular that seems to always get hunting pressure early on.  Once it gets cold no one seems to bother it and the deer really yard up.   It's a morning only spot which can be cold but I've seen as many as 30 deer in one sit!!!  

And yes, it sure is nice to have the woods to ourselves.    

[VA Elite]

I like the late season more and more every year.

[CoachBGriff]

The late season used to be my favorite!  As the assistant for a high school boys basketball team now, I don't get much time to hunt the late season anymore.

I'm hoping to sneak out at least once or twice over break.  There is definitely something very relaxing about being in the woods this time of year.

[ISP 5353]

I love the rut, but late season is fun.  I really enjoy it if there is some snow on the ground.  Good luck all!

[Barry Wensel]

Not to put a damper on this but I have a different opinion. I mean, I enjoy the hunting again aspect of it, but I sometimes feel sorry for the deer. They've just made it through two weeks (or whatever) of gun seasons, gang deer drives, constant road hunters, etc.. Ground cover/ security is now minimal with the foliage dropped and they are even more so visible if there's snow on the ground. Then they "yard up" at the remaining primary food sources only to find the muzzleloader guys with their scoped 200 yd. efficiency one-shot rifles are laying in ambush. No offence to anyone else's opinion but I find myself backing off more and more during late seasons in recent years. It's like I'm afraid of entering the timber in fear of bumping deer out in the open where they are vulnerable. Not to mention I've talked to guys who have found shed antlers already. bw

[Ron Vought]

Thank goodness here in PA we only have a late Flintlock ML season however we did let the crossguns into the archery season so I fear that deer drives will increase. I usually spend more time around areas where the bow is safe/authorized to use but the gun crowd can't hunt due to firearm safety zones.

Ron

[customcrester]

I agree with Barry, the late season can be good hunting but the deer have been through a lot already. I still do hunt the late season but i do not hunt the "yards" and i stopped shooting doe years ago.I have buck on my trail cams that have already dropped their antlers too so buck hunting here in Pa could be over for this season for me but that's ok, more buck for next year!

[YORNOC]

Late season PA, didn't think I'd see a deer. Scouting, 10 a.m. walking to an alfalfa field where I saw tracks...a doe and this bruiser walks by.
January. I was afraid to drag him out in fear his antler would fall off. I found a shed the day before, blood still in the snow from the drop.
 

[YORNOC]

Look how thin he is, still dressed at 197.
I hear Barry's argument, but this was a gift from the God's put before me.
 Living in Massachusetts, I don't get many opportunities. When I get a chance to hunt, I take it. I drove 9 hours in an ice storm to take advantage of an opportunity to hunt.

Up here in NW corner, it is the quiet time. The muzzle guys are out in force with the early season, and there are compound hunters hanging in every other tree. The second shot gun season is already fairly quiet.  They do not get very far from the roads and mostly just ride around.  Out in the sections with no woods, that is where the pickup races happen.

[wood carver 2]

A few inches of new snow on the ground, a light snow falling, the absolute silence of the winter woods. Sometimes a sighting of a great grey owl, or even a snow owl. My idea of heaven. I don't care if I don't even see any game.      
Dave.

[PUDDLE JUMPER]

That's a nice one for sure. I never really gave as much thought to the stress placed on the herd.
The deer here don't really yard up like farther north. They do become more oriented to the food source.

I generally find the Bucks tend to stay closer to the does than any time other than the rut. Food source no doubt.