By Julie Geiser
The muzzleloading deer season runs the entire month of December, giving hunters more time in the field and a few other reasons to hunt this season.
Leftovers
You may see the “leftovers” from the firearm season when it comes to bucks, which may include smaller year-classes, or you might come across those big boys that have evaded high-power rifle hunters. Bucks that you’ve never seen before may have moved into an area from hunting pressure and as the second rut sets in.
Second Rut
Does not bred during the main rut will come back into estrus, typically in December, which sets bucks back into breeding mode. These bucks may start making new scrapes and using different trails in the search for unbred does. Using trail cameras in these areas will tell the story of who is using them. Some bucks will even come in to calls, rattling and scent lures.
During the second rut, key in on the does. Doe family groups will herd-up and are somewhat predictable in their movements from bedding to feeding and watering areas. Using more than one tree stand or blind is critical. Having a stand for morning and afternoon locations allows hunters to focus on morning bedding and afternoon feeding movements.
Re-Pattern
Fewer hunters will be in the field distributing less human scent and pressure on deer, but this doesn’t mean the deer weren’t educated by hunters during previous deer seasons. Whether hunting an area you know or one you haven’t hunted before, scout or re-scout areas as deer may follow different patterns during the December season. Look for food and water sources; all deer, including bucks, will be feeding heavily during colder months, and food sources will start to be depleted. Also keep in mind, as vegetation dies off, bedding areas may change to areas that provide more cover.
Hunt the Calm
If the weather is cold, use that to your advantage by hunting calm breaks in weather, focusing on a couple days leading up to a storm or right after a storm as deer will come out of cover to feed and water during those calm times. Deer will bed down at daybreak near feeding areas in tree or shrubby areas as they try to conserve energy in cold weather, which is the coldest time of the day. Cedar trees provide warmth for deer, so finding trails and setting up a stand near cedar areas may catch deer as they move from cover to feeding or watering areas.
Many hunters yearn for the challenge of primitive hunting, and muzzleloader hunting is no easy task. Knowing the differences between hunting this month and other times of the year is crucial to your success.