As we approach gun season, I believe my days of harvesting my first deer with a bow are numbered. Anyone have any stats on how many deer are harvested during the bow season after gun season? Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Strategies on what has worked for you? Thanks.
This was the first year I shot a deer with a bow before the gun season. The past 5+ years has always been during or after the gun season. Where I hunt the gun season runs concurrent to the rut so the bow hunting typically heats up when the gun season arrives. I've also had luck with gun hunters getting the deer moving also. Just be sure to wear blaze orange especially when walking to/from your stand. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I still usually do. Just get out there and hunt. Deer just become more pressured. Hunt in the thicker stuff where gun hunters dont like to go.
I also hunt Wisconsin. In the late season focus on food. The rut is over and winter is setting in, so if you find a good food source you will find deer.
What have you found to be successful? On the private property I hunt, my 20 acre woods is limited and surrounded by plowed fields. I suppose I can go look at some public land, as Im sure most hunters don't go out after the initial gun season
Just beware that in IL bow season is closed during gun season, so you can't hunt at the same time. That being said, I have typically seen some good movement after gun - like was said before, look for food. The bucks run themselves crazy during the rut and get worn down and weak. They need to hit any food sources hard to build up fat for the winter. Also, look out for the secondary rut about a month from now or a bit later, when the bucks pick up any does which did not get bred the first time around.
you gotta start corning to get them out. Late season when its cold, they'll be more pressured to get nutrition.
What would be food sources during December into early January? grass/foliage on the ground? Most crops will be cut, acorns/leaves will have dropped. Thanks.
When it comes to late season bow hunting I normally dump out my apples and corn I gathered IF I don't have access to green fields or food plots. Deer are looking for food and in your situation where there are no green fields to hunt over, I suggest sitting over a bait pile. Now depending what county you hunt there is a 2 gallon limit. Good luck. The deer are moving here is WI so get out as much as possible and don't be afraid to get some all day sits in. The last few years during this week I saw most buck movement around 1pm - dark.
