Hunting the Late Split

Don’t Hang Up Your Bow: Hunting the Late Split

By Jessica Graham

I can’t deny it, fall is a magical time of year for bowhunters, and my favorite time to bow hunt. I love sitting outside, enjoying the fall colors, the crisp air, and the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. We wait all year for October 1 to roll around. Then, almost overnight, the trucks start hitting the road, hunters funnel onto private and public land, and hopes run high for trophy bucks and meat for the freezer.

October is all about anticipation and big dreams. November brings the rut, and for many of us, we’re living our best lives. By the time the calendar turns to December, a lot of bowhunters have either tagged out or they quietly hang up their bows for the year. That’s a mistake.

The late split can be one of the best times of the entire archery season to be in a tree. The rut may be winding down, but that doesn’t mean the deer have disappeared. In fact, in some ways, hunting can actually become more predictable.

The Bucks Become More Patternable

Early in the season, mature bucks can be frustrating to hunt. They often move mainly at night, and their patterns can change as they search for food, establish routines and respond to hunting pressure, and go looking for does.

The rut changes everything. Bucks are on their feet searching for does, covering ground and seemingly abandoning any predictable routine. After Thanksgiving, things start to settle down. In fact, I remember reading an article by Jay Gregory (he is an Iowan notorious for killing giant bucks), and he mentioned that bowhunting around and after Thanksgiving Day is one of the best times to bag a big buck. Typically, there is only one weekend between Thanksgiving and Iowa’s First Gun Season. So, you have a short window before the gun seasons open, and then after the first and second gun seasons close, you can start back up and keep hunting the last few weeks of deer season.

The rut and second rut begin winding down, and bucks return their attention to two things that are critical to their survival: food and bedding. This is one of the times of year when I personally start seeing some of the bigger bucks during daylight hours. Deer have a reason to conserve energy, and once their breeding activity slows down, their movements can become much easier to predict.

Instead of chasing a buck that could be anywhere, you can start focusing on the areas that matter most: food sources, bedding areas and the trails connecting the two. That can make late-season hunting feel much more strategic.

Weather Can Get Deer Moving

Another major advantage of the late split is the weather. Cold fronts can be powerful during the late season. Snow, dropping temperatures and approaching storms can get deer on their feet, sometimes producing incredible movement.

A nasty winter day may not sound like the perfect time to sit in a tree, but don’t overlook what the weather can do to deer movement. When temperatures drop, deer need to replenish the energy they’re burning simply to stay warm. That puts food at the top of the priority list.

Pay attention to the forecast. A significant weather change can be exactly what you need to get a mature buck moving during daylight. Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to sit through every blizzard. When the conditions line up, don’t be afraid to bundle up and get in the woods. I personally love hunting in the snow. The deer really stick out, and you see so many more deer.

Staying Warm Is the Challenge

There is one major downside to late-season bowhunting: staying warm. If you hunt from a hard-sided blind, you’re probably set. Climb in, crank up the propane heater and settle in. You can stay comfortable for a much longer period of time, which makes those cold-weather sits much more enjoyable.

On the other hand, if you’re like me and primarily hunt from a tree stand, staying warm can be a challenge! Trying to overdo it can become dangerous. You need to think about what you’re wearing before you ever leave the house.

Cold-weather gear is a must. Bring out your heaviest, warmest coats and coveralls, gloves, hats and boots. Having a small blanket too can make a huge difference. An insulated heated body suit can also make a huge difference. In the past few years, I’ve acquired a heated vest which I love. The key is to stay warm without creating so many layers that you can’t safely and comfortably maneuver your bow. It is a challenge, and when temperatures dip below zero, it makes staying outside for long very difficult.

Sometimes the simplest gear works best. Hand warmers are invaluable; I stuff them into my gloves a lot. Also, never underestimate the value of a good thermos filled with something hot.

Don’t Overlook Soft Blinds

I really like soft-sided and popup blinds because they’re generally much more affordable than hard-sided blinds. They’re also easy to move and can be a great option for late-season hunting.

The downside is that they don’t hold heat nearly as well. They can do an excellent job of blocking the wind, which is especially valuable on a cold December day, but don’t expect a popup blind to feel like a heated hard-sided blind. It offers a little bit of shelter, but not much.

If you’re hunting from one, dress accordingly and bring the gear you’ll need to stay comfortable. The longer you can comfortably stay in the field, the more opportunities you’ll have. Sometimes it comes down to waiting the deer out.

Keep Hunting

The late split doesn’t have the excitement of the opening days of October or the chaos of the November rut. That’s exactly what makes it special. The deer are still there. In many cases, their patterns are becoming easier to understand.

Food becomes more important. Bedding becomes more predictable. Cold fronts can trigger impressive deer movement. If you’re willing to battle the elements, you may find yourself sitting in the woods during one of the best hunting windows of the entire season.

So, before you pack away your bow and call it a season, take another look at the calendar. December isn’t the end. For a bowhunter willing to brave the cold, it might just be the beginning of some of the best hunting of the year.

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