Late December bowhunting tactics

[ChiTownBuck]

I will be bow hunting in southern Illinois and could use some advice. What can you tell me about buck movement this late in the year? I don"™t think my area will be affected by any m/l hunters since it is private property. I am more concerned with temperature, food source, and even if there will be doe"™s going through their second cycle. I have never this late in the year so if any body could give some help I would appreciate it. Thanks.

[cheese-head]

Hunt the food sources and try to stay warm!

[JZarr]

I've been having good luck seeing deer in the evening near food sources. I found a nice little honey hole where there's some green grasses left and the does are pounding it every night. About an hour before dark they just start coming out of the woodwork.

Had a nice little 1 1/2 year old 5 pt chasing a doe on Saturday night, just grunting up a storm the entire time. Hoping to get a big one to come by one of these nights.

I say find the hot food source and set up camp there. Seems to be your best bet this time of year.

[bogus bronco]

My stand is set up between a large bedding area and food area. During the rut season the deer movement was mostly in the first hour after sunrise and the last 2 hours before sunset.

Now for the last several seasons when bow season opens up for the late season. I've noticed the deer movement around 9 to 10:00 am and then the last hour before sunset. Now the area that I hunt is private property, and the area all around me gets hunted real hard during shotgun season. This I assume is the reason for their late return to the bedding area and their later evening trek to the feeding area. They are real cautious during the late season. Even a squirrel running up a tree will spook them. The big bucks still move pretty much after dark, but the smaller bucks will still be hangin with the does.

Good luck on your hunt.

[LLBUX]

A few doe fawns are getting bred now, but it is about over for the year.

Hunt a travel area near a picked corn field. They gotta have the carbs!

This is especially good when it is real cold or there is 4" of snow. So far we have not had the snow nor bitter weather. It can hit in January and provide outstanding hunting. The deer are herded up so watch out for the extra eyes!

Three years ago I sat on stand in Pike County and watched 52 deer trail by one afternoon through 8" of snow. Of course I was not in the right spot, but what a sight! They were headed to a corn field, not the one I was watching.

I'm going out later this week(been down for a month with a respiratory infection). I gotta get back out!

Good luck!

[Two Beards]

As tough as it may be, I'd recommend spending at
least 1 or 2 nights glassing before you hunt. It is a
must, this time of year, to not only hunt the right
food source, but also know precisely where they
are entering/exiting. This should give you a good
idea where to locate your stand. Wait for a cold snap
to move through and the perfect wind.....should be a
great hunt.

This can be a wonderful time of the year to hunt, but
make no mistake, it is not going to be anything like
the rut. Getting a hot doe/yearling around you is
just a notch or two below winning the lottery, it can
happen...but not likely. Stick to the food source they
are using and be patient.

TB