Suspended hunting season

[smokin joe]

I have put a halt on my hunting season due to getting some surgery on my "good" shoulder -- that is the left one, the one that has not been replaced. It had grown some bone spurs that were becoming very painful and threatening to damage my rotator cuff. The orthopedic surgeon told me that getting the bone spurs removed before they damaged the rotator cuff tendons would be a good choice.

So, no hunting for me until December. It will be cold and the rut will be over. But the deer still live out there in the woods, so I'll be there.

Anyone who has any thoughts about December deer hunting, let me know....I'm all ears. I can pass the time while I'm healing up developing a December strategy.

[Roy from Pa]

Best of luck for a speedy recovery. I've been the shoulder surgery route also.

[TIM B]

Good luck recovering!  
I'd find a nice food source like a wheat or cereal rye food plot.  It's not to late to plant here in mo....not sure about there
Tim B

[D. Key]

Best of luck.  Take it slowwwww and do what the Doc. tells you.

Hope it all goes smooth as silk!!!!

Bisch

[Bud B.]

By December they will be skittish from all the gun hunting. In your recovery, go to some small outlying communities and find a crowded breakfast cafe surrounded by farm trucks. Strike up conversations with some gray haired fellows. You never know what can result.

You can always come down my way and I will show you my Uwharrie spots. Buck only except as noted.

Either-Sex Deer Season: Nov. 12 – Nov. 18 and
Dec. 27 – Jan. 2 (moderate season).

[smokin joe]

Bud: The little plot I hunt is only hunted by 3 trad bowhunters, and the gun hunters push deer on to the property. So, I think I'm OK in that regard.

My December tactic has always been to hunt food sources on private land, and hunt funnels leading to and from food. But, I wonder if there is anything I can learn from anyone who has focused on mature bucks in December.

Not hunting the rut this year, after missing the entire season last year with the shoulder replacement, is going to drive me nuts. So, I am thinking that planning might be a good antidote to cabin fever.

[Sam McMichael]

Good luck with the shoulder. I feel for you. My "other" shoulder is giving me fits, so I, too, have not been hunting. Bummer, ain't it?

[smokin joe]

You are so right, Sam. Getting "older" is not for sissies. It seems like just about every body part is showing signs of wearing out.

I gotta say, though, that I am still kicking and getting out there to have some fun. I have had to move down from my one-time peak of a 63 pound bow all the way to 43 pounds now. But as I have moved down in pounds I have made it a point to move up in bow performance, and that has helped.

When I can draw on an animal and the creaking, crackling, and popping of my joints doesn't scare them off, I can be pretty deadly.

[woodchucker]

How about the "2nd Rut" 28 days later...??

[suburbanirma]

Hey, Joe! How about a road trip to South Texas in January for a whitetail rut hunt?

[smokin joe]

Tom: Now you're talking!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Sorry to hear of your troubles Joe.  Its funny you mention the creaking and cracking of joints scaring off deer. I have had that happen to me on more than one occasion, especially on those super still mornings.

Although I cant help you with late season stratagies other than what you already know, I will say try to do some of the other things you love to get you through the rut.  

Tom Has a  great suggestion, not only do you get to see the rut but there are other species as well. Of course Hunting Trips are not always a possibility on short notice.

Best wishes on the surgery but best to do it now instead of having it end up like your other shoulder. I will be thinking and praying for a great surgery and quick recovery.

[Wheels2]

I am with you.
Screwed up the knee on "Honey-Do"
On the steroids, maybe the shot next week.

[Dan bree]

Woodchucker I was going to say the same thing

[bogeyrider63]

In the same boat,
have been in a walking boot now (torn ligament in foot) for 5 week's.
 Have yet to even get in the wood's.
Hopefully within the next week.
Best of luck to you.

[smokin joe]

Thanks for the thoughts and advice. I had the surgery and the doc did a good job cleaning a lifetime buildup of bone spurs and junk out of the joint. I have started the rehab process and the soreness is tolerable. Now it's just a matter of time to get ready to chase some deer in December.

There is a bit of second rut around here because there are a lot of does and the bucks cant get around to them all in November. So maybe I'll get some venison in December.

[elkken]

Good luck with the surgery Joe ....

[swamper]

Good luck with shoulder, I dropped bow from 64 to 45.

[BOHO]

Good luck for sure. I’d find a pinch point between the thickest stuff you can find and the food.