End of season push

Hi all,

I've got a buck only tag for the rest of season and plan to spend about 5 or 6 days hunting around the Barrie north Simcoe area.

What would your recommendations be for habitat / strategies this late in the season?

I've got a couple of trail cams and a portable stand to use.

Seems with the mild winter so far any migration has probably been delayed.

Any ideas on habitat or areas to hunt? Not looking for anyone to give up their honey hole, just general terrain where bucks might be spending their time.

Are food sources the main play?

Thanks!



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Get off the couch and get out ....that's what I'm gonna do .
Glen

I have done a fair amount of scouting the last few days and haven't seen a ton of sign. Cedar swamps and low lands were pretty devoid of sign.

Found a decent amount along some field edges, looks like they were turning up leaves looking for acorns. Didn't expect that to be a food source this late in the season.

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I'm in the same boat as you, I've been scouting/ hunting plenty of habitat transitions and finding sign but I seem to be days behind whatever I find or else I find sign of hunting pressure. I'll be focusing more on clear cuts adjacent to cedar thickets this coming week since I haven't found anything encouraging near Ag fields close to the public bush I hunt.

Agricultural fields I think would be the best bet. I’m still seeing lots near dusk in cut corn fields adjacent to bush.

Do you think morning or evening hunts would be best this time of year?

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I've been going any time I can spare. It's all or nothing.

Good luck out there.

Hunt the food and you will be rewarded!!

If you can pin point the browse they are feeding on, find the hemlocks and cedars and set up between them.

Find food with good cover nearby and you’ll deer. Good luck.

I too have a buck AND a doe tag. I've been out 15 times in the last 3 1/2 weeks. I'm limited to one spot really, as every area I scouted had either stands or blinds. I put corn/molasses feed out and have replenished 5 times. Squirrels and Jays seemed to be the only thing at the bait up until last Thurs. I had buck and doe tracks finally, but nothing came fri/sat or Sunday. I'm really hoping can connect by the end of the month, as I know I've definitely put in the effort this year....and it could be my first with a bow....

Thanks for the great ideas. I've got a couple of days off tomorrow and Wednesday so will give it another go!

Cold front coming in on Christmas day of course haha.

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Originally Posted by LiveBates

I too have a buck AND a doe tag. I've been out 15 times in the last 3 1/2 weeks. I'm limited to one spot really, as every area I scouted had either stands or blinds. I put corn/molasses feed out and have replenished 5 times. Squirrels and Jays seemed to be the only thing at the bait up until last Thurs. I had buck and doe tracks finally, but nothing came fri/sat or Sunday. I'm really hoping can connect by the end of the month, as I know I've definitely put in the effort this year....and it could be my first with a bow....

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I would keep an eye on the areas with stands throughout the season, 90% of stands I find on these public spots are only used during the controlled hunt. Also, consider if you have bait down there's likely other people that have found it and possibly disturbed the area while you aren't there. I hunt very busy areas and I know the frustration when you put in the effort only to find sign of others close by. Not to mention small game hunters also share the best spots for deer.

It's all just an extra challenge, I started bow hunting this year because years of small game hunting gave me good insight into the properties I frequent, it doesn't seem to have given me any advantage since I've put many hours effort without even an encounter.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LiveBates

I too have a buck AND a doe tag. I've been out 15 times in the last 3 1/2 weeks. I'm limited to one spot really, as every area I scouted had either stands or blinds. I put corn/molasses feed out and have replenished 5 times. Squirrels and Jays seemed to be the only thing at the bait up until last Thurs. I had buck and doe tracks finally, but nothing came fri/sat or Sunday. I'm really hoping can connect by the end of the month, as I know I've definitely put in the effort this year....and it could be my first with a bow....

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Now that they've found your bait, top it up sparingly to encourage them to keep checking the spot. A big bait pile seems to afford them the luxury of only feeding at night. When the days get cold they won't be able to resist coming in for a bite and a warm up... at least in theory!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by LiveBates

I too have a buck AND a doe tag. I've been out 15 times in the last 3 1/2 weeks. I'm limited to one spot really, as every area I scouted had either stands or blinds. I put corn/molasses feed out and have replenished 5 times. Squirrels and Jays seemed to be the only thing at the bait up until last Thurs. I had buck and doe tracks finally, but nothing came fri/sat or Sunday. I'm really hoping can connect by the end of the month, as I know I've definitely put in the effort this year....and it could be my first with a bow....

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Try to set up on the mostly used trail, leading to the bait,to change things up.Maybe 40-100 yards away from it,within good shooting range..........watch the wind though...

Thanks for the tips ....I appreciate it.

I also have a buck tag, I will try to push more to go outside before dec 29, but probably I will go south west, this area has alot of games

I go out scouting almost every day, all year round, even though I already filled my tag. I saw 2 does in my area the day after bow season ended. It's like they know. It seems like there are a lot fewer deer in area 46 the last few years. I suspect it's too many people, too many wolves, and too many hunters in the area. Also the warm weather has delayed the move to the winter yards. The only thing hitting my bait piles was squirrels, blue jays and bear.

We see the same thing in 47, as soon as Dec 15th passes we see a lot more deer during the day on trail cams. It's almost as if they know!

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