Zero Degree Weather - Worth Hunting?

[Fishinguy40]

This Sunday will be my only and last chance to get out with the muzzleloader. I was planning to hunt some public land around the Sandstone/Finlayson area. With a high of 7 deg forecasted for the Cities and probably even colder up in that area, anybody think its worthwhile to drive two hours? Will the deer move much or just stay bedded down, especially if its going to be windy like they are saying.

[totally_addicted]

If it's cold deer are forced to move towards food to survive. If it's windy it may have some effect on movement but when it's cold I find a food source and then I usually see deer. Saw 37 deer on Sunday while hunting over a standing corn field.

[JimmyJames]

Yes, it's always worth it, you'll kick yourself if you don't go. Thinkin what you may be missin.I'd say go, and good luck to ya.

[mrklean]

Spot and stalk, the other week in south Dakota the weather was no warmer then 10 I saw tons of deer look for bedding areas and sneak up on them

[hockeybc69]

Never a bad time to deer hunt if you can get out.

I shot my doe last year on the last morning of muzzy season, and it was below zero. I warmed up fast.

[mabr]

With the cold the deer will move. Find the food and you will find the deer.

I'll admit Ive been making every excuse under the sum not to get out there to fill my one remaining tag left because of the cold temps we've had and no buck tag left. But I'm going out every chance I get for the remainder of this years season starting tomorrow.

last year the last week of ML season was unbelievable on my property and I'm hoping this year is the same. You'll regret it if you don't go. IMO.

[paceman]

Absolutely get out there hunting. We might get cold but the deer are already use to it. They will still move and eat just fine. You can't shoot a deer unless your out in the woods hunting.

[Fishinguy40]

If it's cold deer are forced to move towards food to survive. If it's windy it may have some effect on movement but when it's cold I find a food source and then I usually see deer. Saw 37 deer on Sunday while hunting over a standing corn field.

I guess part of my problem is that I don't know what their food source is right now. So where do I set up? I plan to hunt public land, a WMA. I used to hunt it a lot during the rifle season so I'm familiar with the area. It is mixed hardwoods, no farm land borders it. October, early November the deer are feeding on all the acorns but what are they feeding on now?

I'm sure I could find deer but will I get a shot? Two years ago I went up there for muzzleloader and kicked a doe out of a swamp. Only problem was that the swamp was frozen, like now I'm sure, and I made so much noise crunching my way across the swamp that she was several hundred yards out when she fled.

[BLACKJACK]

I learned many years ago that you can't shoot a deer laying in bed!!! It was gun season, about 10 degrees out, but the wind was roaring, I said to heck with deer hunting that morning. About 10 minutes later, laying awake, got up and went hunting - and shot a nice spike buck!!

That being said, being 25 years older (and hopefully wiser), I was already checking the temp for Sunday myself, I still have a bow tag to fill and can't hunt Sat. Already debating, start a fire in my shop, or go hunting.... Will decide Sat, a lot depends on the wind. Another factor is the snow, at that temp the snow is 'squeaky', hard to get you your stand without being heard.

[CANOPY SAM]

Worth hunting? Absolutely!

When the temp really starts to drop that's when I really start to gear up. Super cold temps (below zero) will have em' moving all day, but you can count on em' moving in mass early in the evening as the sun sets.

Timing couldn't be better. Thermometer's gonna bottom out right at the tail end of the season. Many hunters won't go out cause it's "too cold" - boo hoo! They'll be missing out on some of the best deer movement of the year. Just layer on everything you've got and tough it out. If you're in the right place you won't be disappointed.

[harvey lee]

I was out this morning and it was about -5 or a bit cooler. I saw 13 deer and shot one. My partner also saw numerous deer as they were moving.

As stated above, when it's that cool, the deer will move to feed.

I was very surprised to see very little back fat on the doe I shot. I took a few deer in North Dakota some time ago with more fat than this doe.

Maybe a 1/4 inch of fat along the backstraps. I hope the winter does not get to tough as she was seemingly not real ready for the long winter.

[Musky Buck]

It might not be pretty Harvey, there are still deer scrambling for whatever they can find as it is almost seeming like they aren't sure where to winter as basically no crops are left or they are buried under that first wet crusted snow. A year ago was totally different, it'll be actually a good thing some that the season is nearly done so they can worry about 1 thing, food source without bother.

[JigginGopher]

I'll be out on Sunday without a doubt. Love hunting this cold weather. You can hear the deer coming a mile away and something about seeing the breathe from the deer as it sneaks in on me gets my blood boiling! Question - I have gotten permission to hunt over a cut cornfield. It was cut after the first week in November and in the way so dried corn and cobs were left all over the place. You think the deer are still hitting that field or would you think it is pretty well picked over by now???

[harvey lee]

If that's the only food source close to where you are hunting, then yes. You should be able to see fresh dig holes in the snow where the deer are looking for food. I doubt they found it all.

Are there many trails leading to the field? Should be able to see the tracks to know which trials are the feeding trails and also the exit trails back to their bedding area. I would guess they are not traveling to far to bed down if there is good cover close to the field.

[JigginGopher]

Thanks Harvey. And yes, you are right. There are some good bedding areas very close to the field. My brother is heading up tomorrow so i'll have him see what kind of trails are going in and out of the area.

[Fishinguy40]

I did go out and buy my license last night. Like some of you said, I won't shoot a sitting on the couch at home. Hopefully the deer will be moving around a bit on Sunday after this big storm blows through!

[bigbucks]

No report? Must have frozen to death out there huh? It was cold, hunted 3 times this weekend, saw deer all three times, but didn't kill any.

[Fishinguy40]

I didn't go

I debated up until late Saturday night, whether or not to go. Considering the amount of snow that we received and not knowing how much snow they got up north where I intended to hunt, I played it safe and stayed home. I has this fear that I would get stuck in a snow drift on a two track in sub-zero weather.

Besides, I kept plenty busy clearing the driveway again on Sunday. There's always next year.

My wife did ask if I could get my money back since I didn't get a chance to use the license...LOL!

[Musky Buck]

Definitely worth it, Sunday morning, 8:00AM took easily my largest buck by muzzleloader, that cold after the front had deer moving all over the place, up until sunday the last deer I saw was like November 9th, 370 grain maxi ball, black wet/dry wet/dry powder, she fired and it was awesome.

[threeway]

Muskey Buck, lets see the pics!

[Fishinguy40]

Musky, thanks for making me jealous and wishing that I had gone out.

Glad to hear you were successful!

[Musky Buck]

I'm 2.5 hours from the digital camera, will post when I can, not a monster, but would likely be in most peoples shooter category, 7 rifle mornings, 7 evenings, 7 muzzy mornings 6 evenings, wife said you have to shoot your gun to empty it so why not go, I said -8, 25- chill, so the plan to empty it got put on hold quickly as a group of 7 were just meandering along slowly and somehow the 370 grain maxi ball was steered into his vitals, just talked to an uncle about a side of beef, crazy how things work out. The beef plan was terminated.

[swampbuck]

Anytime you can go is a good time, friend of mine shot a NICE 8pt last night

Sat tonight and saw a few does not close enough, mayb tomorrow.

I am up to 46 sits still waitin for a good buck, one I was afte dropped his horns, but he has a few pals around

[JimmyJames]

Musky Buck,I must say I'm a bit jelous , Sunday was the only weekend day I wasn't able to make it out for the last 3 weekends. Congratulations on a succesful hunt. I'm already thinkin of this weekend.