Late-season archery
Plan your December bow hunt
ONCE THE MID-NOVEMBER RUT passes and gun season closes, deer season is over for many Kentucky hunters—but it doesn’t have to be. December kicks off what I consider late-season archery, which extends well into January in our state. It’s a fun time to get together with friends and enjoy some archery hunting that is little more laid back.
While mature bucks are still out there, the late season, for me, has always been a time to harvest does for the freezer. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources encourages hunters to harvest does to help control the state’s deer population. By taking a few does during the late season, you are helping to reduce the total number of deer, which improves overall herd health and increases the number of healthy fawns.
Hunting deer in December and January is much different than the more popular September, October and November hunts. The farm fields are bare, the rut is over and deer begin to change their movements and their focus. During the late season, deer move to the area’s remaining food sources and seek favorable bedding areas to protect them from cold winds and take advantage of sunlight. Consider these factors when planning a December whitetail hunt.
If you want to hunt new areas here in Kentucky, you will likely have some great public lands to yourself. Cold weather and filled tags keep many hunters at home, leaving large areas of public land available to more intrepid hunters. There are plenty of public land opportunities throughout Kentucky but there is one that I plan on hunting soon.
Just this year, the University of the Cumberlands and the state wildlife agency got together to create a new wildlife management area, or WMA, that provided public access for hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. The agreement is a prime example of the department’s efforts to increase outdoor opportunities.
Called University of the Cumberlands WMA, this property allows deer hunting only with archery equipment, and it would be an excellent destination for a late season hunt. With more than 10,000 acres of archery-only public land, there is plenty of room for a deer camp in December. Even if you have your freezer full of venison, consider taking a young boy or girl on a trip they will enjoy. We should all be doing our part to increase recruitment into the hunting lifestyle—and there’s no better time to start. The late season offers a low-pressure opportunity to harvest healthy, organic meat to fill your freezer or share with others, and another chance spend a few days in the great outdoors.
