What kind of wintering area is good for whitetail?
For many years, elements such as food, water and cover have been considered necessary to sustain wildlife. We have whitetails most of the year so we need to focus on the basics that are especially relevant to those winter months when we don't seem to have what they need.
The water element was covered because of the snow, but in those days, I remember more - maybe it was true, maybe it was just because I was a kid. We also seem to have some nice mulches, so we're focusing on providing food, beefing up winter mulches and adding specific browse species to the flora.
Cedar Swamp is notorious for being a winter deer farm. They provide protection against high winds and all-important thermal coverage. Thermal covers are simply "shelters that absorb heat from the sun". Conifers like cedar, red and white pine, spruce and hemlock provide excellent thermal coverage because the dark green foliage traps heat from the sun. Red oaks, because they keep their leaves brown in winter, can also provide this thermal effect. A slight circulating breeze or heat flow helps distribute radiant heat throughout the area. When driving an ATV or snowmobile into such an area, you will have a noticeable feeling when entering or exiting the heater pack.
A good wintering area will also provide escape cover and/or safe cover - where they can escape or hide from predators. In areas with wolves, I've seen whitetail deer actually approach humans - they know that being near humans means no wolves. It also means easier travel on snowmobile tracks or plowed trails.
Know the winter food sources
During the winter, a lot of changes happen to our prized whitetail "home." The leaves had fallen, the crops had been harvested, and in general their home was completely different. Therefore, their feeding efforts must also vary considerably. Yes, this does vary depending on where you hunt, but many times whitetails will change their food sources and change the time of day they eat. Whitetail movement will drop significantly during the day, are you like us in Michigan because daylight is very limited. Deer don't tailgating like they do early in the season, because they're draining their energy reserves for no reason. Therefore, focus on areas that are well bedding covered and where winter food sources are available. Take the time to research your area to see what vegetation is suitable for your whitetail over the winter. If you start focusing on these smaller areas, your chances of success will definitely increase.
Give up your stand
We've said it before, and we'll say it again, drop your stance in winter. As mentioned earlier, whitetail behavior can change significantly at this time of year, which means you will have to alter your normal hunting patterns. Drop your stance and learn still hunting to get to the level where you can make the big bucks. Considering that whitetails spend more time moving slowly in tighter areas, your chances of moving slowly through the woods will increase your chances. While it's not an easy change to make, it's so worth it. The key to success in stationary hunting is patience. You have to move slowly, use available coverage, and be ready at all times. Spotting the beautiful whitetails in their densely populated areas will be a challenge, but if you move too fast, you might walk right past them. So, as we say, move slowly and enjoy your time. Spend a full day on the hunt and we're sure your odds are good.
Understanding the difference between winter and autumn whitetail behavior
Understanding how whitetail behavior changes with the seasons can be one of the most critical factors in a successful hunt. You cannot use the same information gathered throughout the earlier seasons. Yes, if you have evidence of bucks in your area, chances are he's still there. However, with the aforementioned changes in feeding areas and coverage, early winter is the perfect time to reevaluate deer behavior. Although whitetails are creatures of habit, they will begin to stay in a more enclosed area and feed at different times. This is a good time to check your trail cameras and figure out what the deer are doing. Looking at your tracking camera footage will help you better determine which area the whitetail is moving to, which will better help you determine where you are hunting.
In recent years, as wildlife managers try to find more ways to control deer populations, particularly in areas where chronic wasting disease outbreak-response plans call for substantial population reductions, extended late-season opportunities have become more abundant.
Blocking the wind is your first order of business in winter conditions. You already know the standard “dress in layers” mantra. You’ll need a moisture wick base layer to keep you as dry as possible. Then stack on layers featuring high-loft insulation. That’ll get you through most basic cold conditions. To endure the truly frigid, you’ll need at least one—preferably two—wind- blocking layers as well. Wearing a wind-blocking vest under an outer layer that is also windproof. The one-two punch stops the heat-robbing wind and seems to make the high-loft insulation more effective.
With supplemental heat
The winds ripping across that frozen moonscape were almost unbearable. Maybe your water bottle froze in the pack in just a few hours, and the fingers and toes barely functioned. But with some supplemental heat from a hand warmer you could stay afield longer. The rechargeable hand warmers like Ocoopa union 2s ,which is ideal hand warmer for a hunter. The heating speed of the rechargeable hand warmer is fast, and the warmth is enough for the afternoon at the edge of the water. The low speed is quite sufficient to keep your hands warm in the pockets. And the power bank mode is practical, you never know, it can be used.
Hunting whitetails in extreme cold is a little like parenthood. Rewards might await, but you’ve got to expect plenty of discomfort along the way.Maybe it’s not that bad, but hunting in arctic weather can certainly be an exercise in perseverance. It’s also a wealth of burgeoning opportunity.
