The month of November has come and gone leaving countless hunters behind with unfilled buck tags. If this is you, don’t sweat it. There’s still plenty of time to make it happen. However, everything changes after the rut.
Think about it. Deer have just gone through the most intense month of hunting pressure they’ll experience all year long. They are beat down, worn out, and tightening back up on daytime movement.
But there are ways to make it happen. Here’s a look at 5 ways to kill a late season buck.
1. Concentrate on Food
As bucks wrap up their chasing efforts following the rut, they’ll transition back to focusing on food. They’ve likely dropped weight and have been run ragged. Refueling will be of the utmost importance at this time.
Key in on December food sources to catch a buck slipping out before last light. Green plots can be a magnet for bucks at this time, as well as bean fields with leftovers readily available.
2. Spend More Time Scouting
Some quick scouting recon with optics or trail cams will help you confirm exactly where you need to be at this time of the year. Your scouting efforts will help determine what food sources (mentioned above) you’ll need to focus on in the late season.
Things have been fast and furious for the last month. Now is the time to relocate a potential shooter. The hunter that’s willing to spend as much, or more, time scouting than hunting will likely be the one to find success in the late season.
3. Relocate
As mentioned above, you’ll have to spend some time relocating a shooter buck. And this will often mean you’ll have to do some relocating of your own. The same stands you’ve been hunting the last several months are not likely to be your best bet to make your move in the final days of the season.
You can bet the deer have patterned you as much as you’ve patterned them. They will steer clear of high pressure areas and stand sites they encountered trouble from. Make your move now. Take the time now to relocate stands according to the scouting and intel you’ve conducted to punch your late season tag.
4. Deer Drives
One of my favorite hunts of all time came from a deer drive effort I made with some friends a few years back. We took turns pushing timber strips around some secluded islands. There were a lot of arrows sent, deer tags punched, and I managed to kill a tall-tined buck when a big 8-pointer got bumped right into my lap.
Rarely will you hear people talk about deer drives for bowhunting. But the fact is, it works. The key is to be strategic, bump lightly, and know your escape routes. It’s actually a ton of fun and a great way to change up the game in the late season.
5. Hunt Overlooked Areas
When the late season closes in, you’ll often find deer hanging out in some of the most unlikely places. They’ve been dodging hunting pressure for months now and many have relocated to new hides to fly under the radar of hunting pressure.
Ironically, many times these bucks will be hiding out much closer than you think. They’ll adapt to overlooked areas near the road, out behind the barn, and right next to some of the most unlikely locales. Don’t miss out on checking these overlooked areas to ensure there’s not a shooter flying under the radar.
The late season can be tough, but it can also be the perfect time to punch that last tag in your pocket. There will be less pressure in the deer woods at this time of year, and you’ll often find you have the woods to yourself.
Use the tactics mentioned above to make your move and tag your buck in the late season before the final day arrives.
