ORIGINAL: extreme1
a) how long should I wait after the end of rifle season before I go out again
Go and get in the woods as soon as possible.Especially if your area wasnt pressured much by the rifle hunters.Now is the time,because the rifle hunters have pushed the deer all over,and any buck could be in your area for a hot doe.Rattle and grunt also.Try using some doe pee or dominant buck scent and good luck.
b) how does stand placement differ between prime (rut) and the late season
All depends on where your stands were placed in the first place.If they were on a funnel,or ridge,and the deer pass by from food sources then you are fine.Remember as the weather gets colder and the rut slows down the deer will be back on a heavy feeding frenzy again.They need to rebuild there fat reserve for the upcoming colder weather,especially the bucks from all the mating and fighting.
Like the others have said above,get in the thick stuff.Deer will bed down in the thickest,nastiest stuff they can find to get out of the snow and cold north winds.Try to find a thicket bordering a food source.This is where you want to hang a stand also.Especially if it goes from open,hardwoods type to heavy swamp area.The deer will use this area as there staging area just before dark and enter the field when they are more comfortable.Remember they were pressured for quite some time now by archery and rifle hunters.
Good luck on your cold weather endeavers.Its my favorite time of year to be out,especially with a little snow on the ground.And remember to dress warm
