Roger46982

I have a chance to get in on a late season bow hunt next year, is it worth a try or are the deer so pressured by then it is almost hopeless. Here in Indiana just to see a buck after Christmas is a treat.

Greg / MO

I've taken two in the last three days.

You've just got to hunt smart (hunt high and place your stand on the opposite side of the tree from where the deer will be approaching; obviously, play the wind right, and wear open-pattern camo, i.e., Predator Fall Gray) and hunt food sources. The deer are currently moving pretty early to take advantage of the warmth the sunlight is bringing them.

NorthernHunter

I'm over east here in northern NJ and I can bow hunt anytime except Sundays from basically Sept until the middle of February. Given that I am on vacation this week and temps have warmed into the 40s, I will be joining my neighbor in 30 minutes to try an afternoon bow hunt...then again New Year's Day.

My advice is similar to the other poster. That is, you have to hunt smarter now that deer have been pressured and there is really no camoflauge available with all the leaves down. I switch my tactics slightly. I will try to find some evergreens and hunt beside them about 15-20 feet up. If evergreens aren't available, I will locate a set of trees clumped together to provide some hiding space. It's tougher late in the season than in the beginning!

But, it's still fun and just great to get out for a few hours...even if the gun is away...back to the great bow and skill that is involved. Plus, who but the diehards are out this time of year bow hunting?! I like having the woods to myself and natural. Even better, the places I hunt this time of year are bow-only so the deer are not that pressured.

Cougar Mag

Roger, my hunting partner just took a 150 class buck on Tuesday. I haven't been able to hunt much this late season but in 2003 I was hunting a tremendous buck, but just couldn't get a shot. On another occasion in 2003 I watched several does and a different huge buck on the same land. Late season hunting can be good and I am beginning to prefer it due to most hunters staying home.

Greg / MO

Coug's post about him pursuing a nice buck reminded me about the one in my sig pic. He and I were both after some nice deer last year late; I just happened to finally intercept mine pictured in my signature pic. He went a touch over 162 inches, and was taken on Dec. 26th of last year.