Second Half Archery Season

[Hideandwatch]

The first half of the Archery Season is winding down and the big guns will be afield in a short time. How many of you have had to wait untill the second half of the Archery Season to score that Wall Hanger, and what has it been like after the big guns have spread the herd? Is there anything on record of harvest during the second half of the archery season? Only interested in Wall Hangers statistics, and your personal experiences.

 

[StringShooter]

I'm going to do more late season hunting this year if I don't score on a nice buck next week.

I have never bowhunted late in the season due to work, but I know of guys that have taken some decent bucks when the firearms season closes. Just remember that the extension doe only season and the muzzle loader seasons are in December.

I think I'm gonna try some hunting with snow cover this year. Beleive it or not, after nearly 30 years of hunting, I have only hunted in the snow twice.

 

[Passthru]

Big bucks get big by escaping the big guns,late season is very hard to score on any deer,but it is a part of the season i would not miss,it is a totally different hunt all its own. you will virtually be alone in the woods for most of it because of the cold and holidays.
But i have not given up on this last week before firarms season,this is actually the best week of the entire year!!

 

[Hideandwatch]

Passthru...I havn't given up yet either, I will be afield on sunday afternoon and monday and tuesday. I will also try to sneak some am hunts in before work the rest of the week. The late season just sounds intriguing to me, cold, snow and no one around.

 

[SUPER R]

Passthru is right there are good bucks still around after
rifle season but their harder to hunt. I don't claim to be a
expert but here are somethings I've learned about late
season deer hunting ( FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH ).
On clear cold days I've learned they like hills that are
facing south out of the wind with cover around. They'll
lay in the sun chewing their cud conserving energy much
like a cow. They'll eat just about anything they can find
but love mass crops, like acorns.
Hunting after a fresh show is fun. You can learn so much
about their habits then. After a snow I spend alot of time
just walking looking for tracks and making mental notes
for the next hunt.

 

[Matt in MO]

The deer are definately more educated then, but generally are becoming more concentrated around the quality food sources. A secondary rut will occur in early December.

I killed my best buck on Dec 23rd. He was following 5 does going into a milo field on a bitter cold evening.

 

[Tinhorn]

My partner has killed all his big bucks (including several P & Y's) in Dec, mostly the 1st week......

but it don't do much for your moral when you read in the little newspaper-like regulations brochure that up to 70% of the bucks are killed during gun season

Tinhorn

 

[Hideandwatch]

I didn't tag mine in the first half, and wont be doing any gun hunting. So guess it's the second half that will make the differance for me. Thanks for your input.

 

[Passthru]

Your not alone,I am gun hunting a little but.....Cant wait for the second half to open agian myself.