Whether you’re hunting with a bow or with firearms, one trick that works well is to mark distances in the area you’ve planned to hunt. Pace out distances from your tree stand in different directions and place markers at different distances in all directions in a 180-degree arc from your stand.

I know several hunters who mark the different distances by pounding sticks into the ground and placing deer scent on the sticks.

You can also locate different natural markers and measure their distance from your stand. Doing this will give you an exact idea of the distances you’ll be shooting when a deer comes into to your hunting zone.

Take your range finder and locate the different markers, then make a map of the area you’re hunting, pinpointing the markers and their distances. Make the map small enough so you can tape it to your tree stand and glance at it, as a deer is moving through your kill zone.

You can use your range finder to zero in on a deer, but a range finder will not work well under some conditions. Or a deer may be changing distances quickly as it moves through your kill zones.

The map will give you the exact distances with just a quick glance.

PLAY THE WEATHER
December and January can be really fickle when it comes to weather. The old saying, “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute and it will change,” really holds true in the Mid-Atlantic States.

Some years can find a hunter in his T-shirt, while most times call for long johns and foot warmers.

Weather is one thing that can really change hunting around. Many hunters have stayed home when the weather forecast has looked nasty, only to regret it later in the day. On a daily basis, invest in a good set of Gore-Tex, since a light rain or drizzle can often make the deer a lot more active and provide you with some of the best hunting of the season.

The seasonal weather can also have a big effect on your hunting efforts. Most hunters I know would rather hunt during a year that has cold weather in December and January — for several reasons. Tracking deer on a snow-covered terrain is a lot easier. Finding their migrations routes, bedding areas and feeding areas also takes less effort.

Deer will also seek out a comfort zone, and finding it can give you a shot at some of the bigger bucks. If you hunt mountain terrain, one tip is to look for areas where the deer will feed or bed. Along a mountain’s south or west side, the sun is at its strongest for the last several hours of the afternoon and early evening. On a cold day, this is where deer often gather to take in the heat of the sun.

Also look in open areas or breaks in the forest that have the sun on them for long periods. They will also offer some warmth on cold days.

Should December and or January be on the warmer side, with fields and browsing areas free of snow, look for the deer to keep returning to these areas to feed. Warm winters usually mean the deer will be slow to change their feeding habits.