With the thrill of pursuing the first deer of the season gone forever and the peak of the season forever gone, the final try to bag the enigmatic whitetail arrives. But there will be many fewer deer to be seen throughout the colder months; the battle for catching those that remain will be far less by now. Those most tenacious hunters will endure the subzero weather and thick powder shrouding the forests. The severe weather may drive most shooters out, but it also causes the surviving hunters into the woods, searching for any sign of feed. Delayed hunting presents additional hurdles, but with the appropriate strategy, you may ultimately be able to tag the deer you’ve long chasing.
Try these simple guidelines to have a successful winter deer hunt.
- Look for Carbohydrate Sources Of food
While still, winter shooting may not seem like the ideal moment to go (baby, it’s freezing out there), the last several weeks can be among of the best. Enduring cold spells necessitates whitetails venturing out to feed on carbohydrates. If you can discover those, it won’t be long until you spot your prey because deer are far more likely to be out during the direct sunlight that they are supposed to prefer. Crop grain regions, such as maize and soybeans, and also forbs, are your greatest hope.
- Overcrowding Bedding Places
As winter approaches, the days become shorter and cold, a deer’s movement to sleep ratio shifts further towards rest and warming. This implies that deer are less accessible for delayed shooters because they are rested during the season. However, they will need to come out to graze for a tiny portion of the day. It is critical to carry out a plan that involves sitting near or glassing bedding places and understanding entrances and exits methods. So because the key reason a deer is out by that time is to eat, tracks will most likely show where the deer are feeding and resting.
- What happened to the water?
Water is the other vital that deer depend on regarding shelter and food. The quantity of water supplies in previous months does not make holding them out as effective a method. However, in the winter, particularly in locations with constant sub-freezing conditions, most sources of water on which deer depend the balance of the year have frosted over. The fewer water sources there are, the simpler it will be for a shooter to detect a deer in the plain.
- Employ a Still-Hunting Strategy
More growth and business is sometimes required in the winters rather than a tree trunk in the same area time after time. Endurance is essential for this hunting strategy because it necessitates the hunter to move slowly through the forest. Glassing is also a necessary skill for winter shooters to preserve a watch on settled areas and trails towards food and water supplies as they move around. Although finding a whitetail during the wintertime is difficult, the excellent combo of perseverance and planning will get you a deer permit before the season is finished.
- Ensure that you have the necessary equipment to spend the entire day outside.
Winter hunts are not for those who are easily frightened. You could search out all of your best sites, including high-carb food sources, a prime source of water, and bedded places, and yet spend most of your day waiting and watching. Below are a couple of hunt equipment must-haves to keep you going those terrible winter days:
Satellite Phone – Surviving the weather also entails remaining astute. You’ll need to stay in contact because you’ll be after hours in subzero temps. Having a satellite phone allows you to be connected 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without needing to leave your post.
Weather Extremes Jacket – Maintaining your core warmth and the cover is the only way to get over winter without melting. Other essential characteristics to look for include a cowl and handwarmer pockets.
Balaclava – This provides a complete facial cover. To be able to handle extreme heat, you must expose as little of your skin as possible. A balaclava provides coverage for skin that is often overlooked.
Cold and snow don’t have to be the end of your whitetail deer season. Using these winter hunting tips will guarantee that you can continue hunting all through the winter.