One of my most productive times for taking large white tails is in the bitter cold months of December and January. I think this time of the year is even better than the pre-rut or the main rut because the deer are easier to pattern and they are stressed because of the cold and snow. Abundant feed is hard to find during these months. Also, when the temperatures drop well below zero, I very rarely find other hunters willing to put up with the elements. 

But its like being in a whole different world and it has a beauty all of its own and the deer are now in herds of anywhere from five to fifty animals or more. There are still several does in these groups that have not been bred and the bucks will follow them.

By using a pair of good binoculars and good observation points I can watch the deer's feeding patterns and I will know what funnels and trails they are using to get to their feeding and bedding areas. In this way I can watch the deer's movements without disturbing them. It only takes one or two times getting caught in the wrong place and it will change the herd's patterns. After I've located a buck in a particular area, I will figure out the best location to try and harvest him. Nine times out of ten it will not be in a tree. That's why being confident in ground hunting situations is important to me in order to be successful.

Last year I was using these tactics and had located an extremely large buck. The main trail, which the herd was using, was coming across two open fields divided by a fence. Next to the fence there was a pile of brush. I'd watched the large buck follow the does into the feeding areas by using this trail. 

The following afternoon I set up early in the brush pile so as not to be detected. The bitter cold wind was just about unbearable until I saw the first group of does crossing the fence line in front of me. At that time I couldn't tell you whether it was 30 below or 50 above as I anticipated the arrival of the large buck. A second group of deer was starting to enter the opening. As I watched them, two smaller bucks appeared; then a third smaller buck took off running out into the feeding area. Following him, proudly displaying his enormous rack, was the buck of my dreams! One by one the deer funneled to the fence line and jumped the fence about 25 yards from me. I let the large buck pass in front of me. When he was to a point where he couldn't see my movement, I drew my bow and released the arrow. He jumped straight up into the air, ran about 30 yards and stood there for a second and then collapsed. All the other deer were still standing around wondering why the buck was acting so strangely. Several deer walked toward him and stared at him. I couldn't wait any longer. I had to get out of my brush blind and see if he was all that I thought he was.

Standing next to him, I couldn't believe my eyes. What a dandy! I believe they could have heard me "ya-hooing" well into the next county.

These wintertime tactics have worked for me time and time again. With a pair of good binoculars and the wind in your favor, you'll put the buck of your dreams at a real disadvantage.

Ray Howell
Phone: (507) 894-4624 

Web Site: www.rayhowell.com
email: ray@rayhowell.com