CouesPursuit Report post Posted December 26, 2014 Jan 1st is almost here - and snow is in the forecast. My current game plan is to sit tree stands with lots of doe activity but I'd assume the type of snow pack would dictate my next/alternative approach, fresh quiet snow versus crunchy stale snow etc. There isn't a lot of spot and stalk opportunity in my heavy vegetated hunting grounds so my only alternative to sitting stands is still hunting - which has worked for me in the past with mule deer and elk but I have lacked success on still hunting coues. I'm interested in some discussion as to how do some of you experienced archery coues hunters approach the hunt with a few inches of snow on the ground? Does it change anything for most of you? Opinions on snow camo coveralls? Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattys281 Report post Posted December 26, 2014 Snow isnt much of an issue for my january haunts, but I did get dusted with a couple inches of it a few years ago, 2011. I was trying to clear the snow off the ground so I'd have a clean crunch free place for my feet on one of my favorite ambush spots and this nice little 8 point heard me and thought it was some other guy making a scrape on his turf. He popped over the ridge right across from me and closed from 150 yards to 30 yards in about 1.5 minutes or less. I barely had time to grab my bow and get ready. He busted me on the draw and I missed him on his way out of there. Two hours later I shot a little button buck. It was a pretty eventful morning and I wouldnt mind sitting in the snow again at some point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azpredator@work Report post Posted December 26, 2014 Snow has been a game changer for me, but I've only been hunting 1 particular buck for the past several years. I hunted his travel routes and found he changed completely when the snow hit the ground. I assume it was due to the locals dumping a bunch of corn out changing his pattern as he seemed to not travel far from the corn piles. His peak daylight activity in the past 3 seasons was between 8-10am / 2-3pm. Until the snow turned to patches he wouldn't move around nearly like he would before the snow dropped. The opposite was true for the younger bucks. They seemed to travel a lot more and were active t/o the day. Several bucks would pass by trail cams a couple hundred yards apart for days in a row at all times of the day. Overall, I like tree-stand hunting when there is snow on the ground. Overall deer movement seems to be better throughout the day which keeps interest. Don't get out of the tree - daybreak to dark. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesPursuit Report post Posted January 7, 2015 I learned and observed a few things - 1. Be comfortable: -Unless you're in a trailer or wall tent, Mr. Buddy is your best buddy. That little heater hooked through the tent to a 5 gallon propane tank outside was heaven. Kept everything I needed warm in the tent and it helped dry packs and boots at the end of each hunt day. I was 100% comfortable in a summer tent down to about 0 degrees with the heater on low. The rain fly will help retain heat but the heater's o2 sensor will shut it down if you don't have it vented some. -Bring two pairs of boots, even if one pair is a rubber muck boot or snowboarding boot. When you get back to camp, start the hunt boot drying immediately and put on your second pair. -Don't be too proud to get some hand warmers and stick them in your coat hand pockets, I used to always say what a waste of money, but after your hands touch the bare snow or cold metal of the tree stand, it was nice to get them thawed right back out and ready to go. -Baby wipes, water, scent spray, etc. = Totally useless unless it's in your tent overnight, keep those items thawed in your tent. -For me, wearing one pair of really good merino wool socks and adding wax dressing to my boots kept my feet amazingly dry and warm. The wax dressing or alternative water proofing is a must. -Wearing bibs and coveralls, were so incredibly warm compared to my warmest snow pants and jackets. Coveralls may also help with scent control and the ability to draw your bow back instead of wearing 5 layers of shirts etc. -Eating a banana, an apple, and quality oatmeal made me feel GREAT every morning, add a single cup of coffee and it kept me "regular" and clean as well. 2. Tree stands: -Scent control is still important but every time I checked the windicator it would rise around me. This was a nice change from the usual wind swirling and shooting down below me. -Kick off as much of the snow on your feet as possible. Any snow you bring up the stand with you has the potential to freeze and be slippery or freeze and be loud. -As said above by azpredator@work, stay in your stand as long as possible and stay optimistic. 3. Hunting in Snow: -Snow 24 hours old is nice and quiet, regardless of time of day. It was most quiet moving sideways through the snow instead of lifting my boot all the way in and out of the snow pack every step. -Day 3 after new snow had the most active deer. Day 2 had lots of snow falling from trees and may have spooked the deer a bit, it was tough to tell the different between something moving through the woods and snow falling from trees. -Blood trails in the snow are amazing, but that is no reason to rush the tracking process. Be methodical and track them right. I'll probably come up with a few more but those are some of the things I will remember for my next snow bow hunt. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesPursuit Report post Posted December 30, 2015 Last year, I was lucky enough to show up to my deer hunting grounds with a fresh foot of snow on the ground that wasn't 24 hours old. I found that deer activity increased with each day that passed thereafter. The more fresh the snow, the more quiet it was to walk around in, and by day 3, it was flat out loud. Also by day 3, the snow was constantly falling out of the trees making it sound like there was nonstop game coming in from every direction. It was a first and amazing experience. For this coming January 1, I've been watching the weather every day and it seems as though precipitation will start Monday and drop all the way through Friday. Unfortunately, it may be too warm for snow, as hunting in 40 degree rain doesn't sound near as appealing. Monday will be my last full day to hunt on this 5 day stretch. I'm optimistic about deer activity in days leading up to the precip, deer feeling the pressure drop, the rut, etc., but when the storm is actually hitting for the first time, how will it effect deer activity that day? Near freezing rain versus snow? Anyone want to share any experience in this situation? Obviously experience will tell, but it's hard not wanting to talk about coues deer right now, thanks for any discussion! If anyone wants more detail about the content above, I'd be happy to elaborate as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcoyote Report post Posted December 30, 2015 I'd like to know the answer to that one too. My hunts have all been pretty good weather. This will be a first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Report post Posted December 30, 2015 Just curious, with the snow, do the deer go to tanks. If so, how often? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesPursuit Report post Posted December 30, 2015 Just curious, with the snow, do the deer go to tanks. If so, how often? My understanding is some do if they're really comfortable with the water source. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted December 30, 2015 I saw a herd of mule deer in unit 7 a couple of weeks ago eating snow like a fat kid eats donuts. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idgaf Report post Posted December 30, 2015 In my experience they are easier to see in the snow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Az23Hunter Report post Posted December 30, 2015 I hunt 23 south quite a bit in January and have been in some pretty good winter storms chasing deer. in my experience the deer don't mind the snow until the wind is added to it. If you have the right gear for staying out in some of these storms do it, I know I look forward to it because I feel it gets the deer up and moving out of their beds if the conditions don't get to crazy. I don't know what unit you will be in as to whether you will have rain or snow but both are good in my opinion and keep the sent down a bit. however don't waste your time sitting water this time of year they have plenty of it scattered around with these systems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcoyote Report post Posted December 30, 2015 Thanks AZ23Hunter! If not water, then it must be Food that is the ideal pull at this time of year? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Az23Hunter Report post Posted December 31, 2015 yes food is definitely a big one mature bucks wont be hitting water every day or even for several days as they would during the summer months. what I have noticed over the years at least in most cases if it snows enough to cover up their normal food supply they will usually drop just low enough in elevation to find vegetation they usually stick fairly close to home. to me they aren't like elk that will travel quite a ways at times. don't get me wrong if they are rutting hard them bucks will chase them does wherever they lead them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Az23Hunter Report post Posted December 31, 2015 but again these are just my experiences with this time of year I am sure its not the case for every hunter, just happy to help! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcoyote Report post Posted January 5, 2016 Well, I got a day of on Friday. 3 day weekend with snow is happening. Now the hard decision. Sit in a blind and stay warmish knowing most likely not going to see lots OR go for a stalking hunt and glass. Unit 22 BTW... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
