Which days to kill a buck in December?

[ozzz]

Moon is overhead in the morning on December 6-9



Moon is overhead in the evening on December 17-19






Which time period do you like better to kill a buck?

[huntinsonovagun]

Around here (Oklahoma), the bucks are really cruising around the 15th of December. I've never killed a good one during that time frame, but I know several that have. The second dates you listed would be my choice.

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[PLB]

I like your first choice for second rut reasons. I have seen some good ones chasing late season! Almost killed a dandy on Dec.10th a few seasons ago on a doe.

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[ozzz]

This is WI.

I guess right now Im leaning toward the early time period.

[PLB]

Evenings have always been better for me late season. Deer are not real active in the morning in December, especially if it's bitter cold. They will move in the afternoon when it's warmer. However with the remaining does cycling again and the right moon, I think you could have a chance. Regardless food is key. Find what they're eating and you will see deer.

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[Bucky]

Where are you hunting (food source vs travel corridors)? If food source I say later date... If hoping to catch a 2nd flurry of rut activity I say 1st date. If hunting beds I would go with weather that helps you get close...

[Buckfever]

Around here the biggest impact is when the second gun season occurs. This year with Thanksgiving falling early, the second gun season is early and their will be likely a second rut displayed. When Thanksgiving falls a week later, they stay nocturnal through the second rut in December.

[bowhunter15]

I like the first for second rut possibilities, but I like the second for being a longer break after the gun seasons. My best late season hunts have been around Christmas, and I'd imagine they get better and better before the season finally ends. I've never had success in the afternoons late season, but have seen plenty of deer in the mornings, kind of the opposite of most people.

[Edcyclopedia]

NH archery season ends on the 15th...
I would have to go with the later date - for me their will be less hunting pressure - LOL

[ozzz]

Its kind of a big woods setting with no large destination food sources in the immediate area. We do have some small food plots.

Relatively high deer numbers with a pretty strong buck presence so far this year.

[Bucky]

Its kind of a big woods setting with no large destination food sources in the immediate area. We do have some small food plots.

Relatively high deer numbers with a pretty strong buck presence so far this year.

How much gun pressure and muzzleloader pressure? If not much I would probably pick the earlier dates

[ozzz]

Its kind of a big woods setting with no large destination food sources in the immediate area. We do have some small food plots.

Relatively high deer numbers with a pretty strong buck presence so far this year.

How much gun pressure and muzzleloader pressure? If not much I would probably pick the earlier dates

Gun pressure isnt too bad. No gun hunting at all on our piece in particular and generally light in the surrounding area.

[gjs4]

following Dan's school of "most years are about the same time" (as my beliefs in the moon are diminishing a bit as i see other factors having much greater influence)...in wNY the second week of December seems to have chasing (to which i would guess is the late born fawns coming into estrus)

[phade]

I'm not too far from gjs4...last year was the most intense second rut I have ever seen. Although I didn't witness any chasing, the amount of sign that popped back was unreal...old scrapes refreshened with vigor, new ones popping up...new rubs (which was a first for me to see), and clear travel by bucks going from doe bedding to bedding areas (indicated by tracks).

I do have to say, though I much rather prefer the evenings of Thursday and Friday of our muzzleloader season...there's a handful of days break from the end of regular shogtun season. Sure, some people will MZ hunt the Mon-Wed following, but not as many in comparision. In fact...I rarely see folks out doing that. That Thur/Fri seems to really show better sightings in my experience. Sat and Sun bring with it the mz pressure. That Sunday imo is horrible for hunting, as I hardly see any in all of my time hunting that last weekend day of a deer hunting season in wNY. I go out more or less for nostalgic purposes, really.

I find with that Thursday and Friday, I can usually catch at least one night where I've matched up my stand choice with the destination of the deer in the evening. Sometimes that is hard to do here because of smaller tracts...if you don't have the food source late season, you're going to be hurting for sightings.