It is often necessary to adjust the game plan at halftime when a football team is engaged in an important game. If the defensive backs are locked in on the receivers every play, consideration is given to a few quick hitters into the line by the running backs. Conversely, if the defensive linemen are clogging up the middle expecting a run, it’s time to air it out to receivers.
By the same token, as deer season reaches its final weeks, it’s often necessary for hunters to adjust their game plans. Why? Because the bucks are making adjustments and if hunters don’t figure out what’s going on, they’re left wondering what the heck happened.
What happens during the latter days of hunting season after the rut is over? Bucks aren’t chasing does, unless the few does not bred during the first estrous cycle are still available for breeding. Basically, it becomes a rather difficult game to play as the bucks, exhausted and worn down from breeding and fighting other bucks, become rather difficult to pattern. For many hunters, if they don’t get their deer early, they hang it up after the rut and head for the lake where the bunched-up crappie are more predictable.
David Moreland, who retired from the Deer Study Leader position with LDWF several years ago, offers suggestions as to the best way to hunt bucks late in the season.
“In Area 2, northwest Louisiana, December generally marks the end of the rut. However, bucks may be looking for a few does that have not bred, but generally by mid-January, it’s over,” Moreland said.
This time of year in this part of the state, a game plan change is necessary to improve your chances at a good buck, according to Moreland.
“This is the time of year where hunting between the feeders may pay off as bucks move around looking for does. In late December, the trails through the woods leading to food plots and feeders are generally quite distinct and visible and this should be areas hunters ought to check out, determining where the deer are coming from and then locate a stand to catch the deer as they come to feed late in the evening,” Moreland added.
Another tactic that can work on tagging a late season buck, according to Moreland is to move the feeder.
“I like to change a feeder location or hang a bucket feeder in an area where you have seen deer but not hunted. Keep in mind that prevailing winds this time of year are generally from the north-northwest so your stand location should be in the south-southeast corner of the area. Again, hunters should stay on their stands until last light,” he added.
Moreland also suggested that hunters might want to freshen up their food plots toward season’s end.
“With bucks going back to the feeding mode after the rut, you might want to consider adding some nitrate to the grass patches and keep them attractive. Also if the weather is good; clear and cold with high pressure, plan to stay on the stand longer than normal.”
What about native brows plants? Hunters should plan to utilize what Mother Nature has already put there.
“Since many of the woody shrubs and trees lose their leaves, the focus will be on those that still have them. Blackberry, privet and honeysuckle would be three to look for since these will tolerate the cold temperatures and put out new growth on warm days. I have especially seen heavy use of honeysuckle in northwest Louisiana during late winter,” said Moreland.
Want to be on the winning team when it comes to getting a late season deer in your sight picture? Be adaptable. Change your game plan to correspond to what the deer are doing.
FISHING REPORT
BLACK BAYOU – No report. Water is low. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
BUSSEY BRAKE – The crappie have moved to deep water with some good fish caught on shiners and jigs. Bass are fair flipping jigs around the trees. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – Crappie have been best fishing jigs or shiners around submerged tops in the river and in river lakes. Bass are best in the cuts fishing shad imitation lures. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE –The crappie bite is on fishing the channels and channel edges in 1418 foot water on shiners or jigs. Bass are moving to the secondary points and soft plastics are picking up some nice fish. Catfish continue to be caught fishing cold worms and night crawlers off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – The lake is down some seven feet as the result of the drawdown. Crappie are along the tree lines and in the deep water out from the dam with shiners or jigs picking up some nice slabs. Bass fishing has fair this week as they too are starting to move deep. Boats can still be launched at the State Park launch and at Pleasure Point. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
CANEY LAKE – Bass are moving to deeper water with best catches made on jigs, spoons and soft plastics as well as on the secondary points with deep diving crank baits. Yellow bass are hitting jigging spoons near the bottom in deep water. Crappie have been best around the deeper tops on shiners or jigs and they will also be headed for deeper water out from the dam as temperatures drop. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Crappie fishing is best on the south end of the lake with some big fish caught on shiners or jigs. No report on other species this week. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is low and fishing is quite slow this week. However, a few big slab crappie are being caught on shiners or jigs. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.
