Well it's getting late in the season. Saturday DEC 15th is the start of muzzleloader here in Maryland. The rut was kicking great during gun season but now that it's over I'm looking for some new strategies. Where do you like to hunt this late? Food, bedding, ???

Do you use any scents? Vanilla work well for anyone this late? Is esterus a bad idea?

I would not do scents except cover if you want (not necessary if you hunt the wind). Do some scouting and figure out bedding sites and food sites and hunt the trails leading from one to the other. Deer will need to eat a lot more now to stay warm.

We do drives and group still hunts (slow pushes). Usually works great all of Dec.

That's the problem here. I am likely to be alone most of the time. I wish I had more hunting buddies. When we're all out we're only 3 strong. [&:]

I would hunt the food sources and the trails heading out of the bedding area. It would not hurt to try a little doe in heat scent too. im sure there is still a couple late does comming into heat and it might just lure a buck in range.