Archive for the ‘Deer Strategies and Tactics’ Category
End Of Season Bucks
Deer Hunting Tips: Late Season Bucks: As the deer hunting season winds down, there will still be opportunities for harvesting a buck. Here are a few late season tactics.
Late Rut Activity
Towards the end of the deer hunting season, most of the does have been bred. However, there may be a few that missed the primary breeding period.
Bucks will still be alert to the smells of estrus. Some will continue to roam seeking out these last remaining does.
Hunters should pay attention to these signs and spend time near breeding zones or doe bedding areas.
Thick Cover
Deer hunting will also put pressure on bucks. By late season, the bucks will often be located in isolated thick cover areas.
These areas will generally be near a deer food source. Bucks return to being conservative about spending too much energy.
They will mainly stay in the thick cover moving only occasionally. Hunting near such locations can catch a buck slipping through the thickets.
Land Not Hunted
Deer will also take advantage of terrain that has not been used by hunters. This is only a natural progression as the season goes on.
Many hunters wisely leave part of their hunting land as a so called safety zone for deer. These areas often offer excellent opportunities for the hunter during the last few weeks.
Food Sources
At the end of the season, the bucks will again be focusing on food. These food source areas will be primary deer hunting locations.
The hunter should try and locate as many feeding areas as possible. In many cases, the bucks will bed in thick cover not far from food.
Search for remaining farm crops, especially those in isolated out of the way areas. There also may be a few acorns or apples left.
In any event, finding the available food in the area will produce the best chances at harvesting a late season buck.
Finding breeding areas, thick cover, and food sources are keys to end of season bucks.
Late Season Deer Hunting
Deer hunting during the late season is often considered less successful by many hunters. The logic is that the early seasons and the rutting periods are the best times for hunting. However, it is important to remember that there will be deer left over from the previously mentioned times and some of them will be mature bucks.
There are a couple of keys to finding success during the late season. The first is being able to find high quality food sources. These may be in the form of field crops or man made food plots. The deer will be seeking out these areas to replenish their bodies from the rutting periods as well as to make it through the winter months. Finding the high energy foods will result in locating the deer.
The next key is finding isolated areas or areas that have not had a lot of pressure put on the deer. Often this requires the hunter to move deeper into the property away from normal hunting locations. However, another suggestion would be to maintain farms or other areas that are to be hunted only during the late season. This way the areas are fresh for the last few weeks of the season.
By locating or maintaining late season food sources and hunting isolated or places that have not been pressured, the hunter improves on the chances of harvesting a late season deer.
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Handling Buck Fever
Defining And Symptoms Of Buck Fever
Buck fever is a term used by deer hunters that relates to becoming very nervous upon seeing or attempting to harvest a deer. Symptoms of buck fever include uncontrollable shaking, muscle pains or weakness, heavy breathing, a pounding heart beat, and an extreme feeling of mental pressure.
Mental Focus
To counteract these feelings, the hunter must learn to focus mentally and to control the emotions. Think positive, breath normally, and focus on the task at hand. There will be plenty of time after the shot for emotions to run wild.
- Focus – Picture in your mind making a good clean and accurate shot on the deer. This should be done not only when the attempt occurs, but also prior to and throughout the season. In a way you rehearse the events which helps prepare when the event happens.
- Positive Thinking – As with focus, positive thinking should take place prior to hunting conditions. Repeated positive thinking can improve on performance and allow the hunter to focus better.
- Breathing – To help control breathing, take long deep breathes and hold in for a few seconds before releasing slowly. This will also aid in the shakes and heart beat.
Practise Shooting
Regardless of the weapon to be used, repeated and consistent shooting skills will help ease buck fever. Shooting in the off season as well as throughout the deer season is required. This will prepare the body mentally and physically. Practise should be done under conditions similar to those found in the field. Place targets at different ranges and angles.
Add pressure to the practise by using a timer or have a friend tell you when and where to shoot. Work towards a five second rule, meaning from the word go to the actual shot is no more than five seconds long. The added pressure simulates deer hunting conditions and allows for better focus and attention.
There will always be some nervousness or excitement related to buck fever. However, maintaining composer through mental focus, breathing, and practising will help reduce and control the emotions.
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