“It is better to learn late than never.” – Publilius Syrus
I guess I am late for a lot of things. For meetings and other events, I am usually on time and I try to be early. When it comes to paying bills, going to the dentist and other things I probably didn’t want to do in the first place, I confess I am usually late.
Those who hunt and fish know much depends on being early or late. The spring gobbler hunter wants to be on his ridge to listen before the sun peeks out. If a bass fisherman thinks there is an early-morning bite, he is going to be on the lake before the sun touches the water and the morning mist is swirling. Likewise, the whitetail deer hunter usually wants to be on his stand in the pre-dawn darkness.
Just to be honest about all this, I find I am not the fan of early rising I once was. I figure it must be done for spring turkey hunting, so I get up and go. (Like some others, I am starting to question even this.) For deer, squirrels, rabbits and other critters, I see less of a need to be out there early.
That, however, is a rant for another time. What I am preaching to you today is not about the time of day, but about early and late in the season.
Most states still have a deer firearms season going on. Deer hunters know the first week of buck season is the main event. Hunters plan for it all year, take vacation time – many even risk upending the domestic situation at home.
Often the biggest flurry of activity isn’t even the entire week. Usually the first three days of the season has the greatest numbers of boots on the ground. After that, many of us have to get back to the real world, return to work and try to patch up some domestic bliss.
Devoted deer hunters know there is another season. This season is close in the timeline of the early season and all of its commotion, but in many ways it is another world altogether. Almost all of this has to do with the numbers of Homo sapiens out hunting. Simply put, you may often find yourself alone in the late-season deer woods.
Some of you will like this; others will not. Many hunters see deer season as being involved in a large group, loud and gregarious, much like a big flock of winter turkeys. You will hear some hunters bemoan the situation when they say, “There are not enough hunters in the woods to keep the deer moving.”
There are times having several other hunters in your area is beneficial and may result in someone running a bruiser buck past you. But maybe, just maybe, you want to hunt a little differently this year.
Some late-season solitude may be just what you need. So even though I have told you before that I do not claim to be a world-class deer slayer, I have a plan for you for a late-season deer hunt.
Select a place you know holds deer. This place may have been overrun with hunters the week before, but you may note there are few if any here now. Get there early (I know, I know) and make a day of it. Have your daypack loaded with enough leftover turkey, sardines and crackers, Little Debbie cakes and extra clothes for you to be comfortable all day.
Don’t worry about how many deer were taken here last week. You don’t really think they took every deer in these woods, do you? That’s right, more than likely there are plenty of deer still here, and the wise old bucks will be a lot less nervous without the crowds.
The next part is important: Do not hurry! From the minute you close the door on the truck, tell yourself you are going to go slow and easy.
Stop for one minute, close your eyes and try to imagine you are a hunter from 150 years ago. Would he be thinking about the office, politics or who is on Facebook? No, I don’t think so, either.
He would be absorbed in the task at hand – looking for deer. This hunt is as much about enjoying the day and unraveling your tangled nerves as it is about killing a deer, although you may very well do that, too.
Slowly and carefully, ease into your hunting area. Slow down your mind. Slow down your pace. Slow down time. Take 10 steps, then stand, look and listen for five minutes. There is a reason they call it “still” hunting!
You may decide to take a stand and watch one area for the rest of the day. Not a thing wrong with that, as long as you remember to tune out the noise and stress of the world you’ll have to return to soon enough.
You may decide to go another route. If there is a little tracking snow, a fascinating way to spend the day is to cut the track of a buck and follow wherever it may lead. It may be a long walk and – if you are successful – a long drag back to the truck. Only you can answer if you want to attempt this.
Take a chance. Stretch your legs. The late season and life, I am told, are short.
“The Trail Less Traveled” is written by Larry Case, who lives in Fayette County, W.Va. You can write to him at larryocase3@gmail.com.