As winter approaches and hunting seasons start winding down, savvy hunters know that cold weather can trigger hot deer activity. With the rut over both bucks and does now focus their attention and efforts on food as they fatten up before the impending winter. Hunters should do so as well, specifically targeting concentrated food sources.
For many hunters, that means food plots. The best ones will be those planted with cool-season annuals specifically designed to last into late-season. Examples include winter wheat, which may persist throughout the winter in southern climes; soybeans, which deer seem to shift their focus to later in the season and brassica species that produce large root bulbs that the deer will continue to feed on after the greens are long gone. The best options for those without food plots are un-harvested or poorly harvested agricultural fields or natural food sources like mast orchards. Where legal, bait sites will also become increasingly more productive as the season progresses and deer need to consume more calories.
Most hunters know that deer are crepuscular, being most active at dawn and dusk. This is primarily a predator avoidance strategy. However, they must also balance energy used against energy gained while feeding. As temperatures plummet, the deer may be more active during warmer times of the day. That’s why you may want to sit later in the morning and get to your blind earlier in the afternoon.
That’s also why an Advantage Hunting Blind is the way to go. In addition to concealing you from wary whitetails, features like polycarbonate folding gasketed windows, a heavy-duty polyethylene shell and a rot-proof, double-wall polymer floor keep you comfy and cozy, protected from the outside elements. The longer you hunt, the greater your chances of a successful hunt. Even if the day ends without punching your tag, it will be much more enjoyable in the comfort of your Advantage Hunting Blind.
Whether you use them all fall, or save them for the late-season, it’s always a good idea to place your blinds well in advance of when you plan to hunt. The further ahead the better, as it gives deer and other critters time to become accustomed to the new object, and in time completely ignore it.
