Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: dan11011 on October 21, 2020, 11:06:10 AM

Title: Late vs Early Deer
Post by: dan11011 on October 21, 2020, 11:06:10 AM: I've always hunted the early modern firearm general whitetail deer season (GMU 124) and have had pretty good success. I typically hunt half to 3/4 of the season, then shoot a small/medium sized buck. I get to enjoy the season a little and then fill my tag. I've never hunted the late modern firearm general season but am very interested. I've got a few really nice bucks that seem nocturnal. Is the late season the time to get them? Is it harder to fill a tag in the late-season (fewer bucks)?
I plan to hunt every day of the early season and can't decide whether to shoot a small one or hold off and hunt the late season as well.

Who all hunts the late? why?
Title: Re: Late vs Early Deer
Post by: vandeman17 on October 21, 2020, 11:09:39 AM: What part of the state and what species?
Title: Re: Late vs Early Deer
Post by: dan11011 on October 21, 2020, 11:16:22 AM: Whitetail Deer. GMU 124. Hunting around apple orchards
Title: Re: Late vs Early Deer
Post by: vandeman17 on October 21, 2020, 11:18:25 AM: I like the last few days of late season because the rut is starting to pick up. Daytime activity seems to be more present
Title: Re: Late vs Early Deer
Post by: buckfvr on October 21, 2020, 11:28:01 AM: You have to be willing to pass on the young ones to get to the mature ones. Within the time frame of pre-full-and post rut can be some of your best opportunity at bucks you may otherwise think are nocturnal.
Title: Re: Late vs Early Deer
Post by: buckfvr on October 21, 2020, 11:42:17 AM: Another thing, the more time you can spend in the woods with the whitetail, with out them knowing you are there, your odds climb higher. Low impact in and out is key.
Title: Re: Late vs Early Deer
Post by: Shooter4 on October 21, 2020, 12:08:38 PM: Quote from: buckfvr on October 21, 2020, 11:42:17 AM
Another thing, the more time you can spend in the woods with the whitetail, with out them knowing you are there, your odds climb higher. Low impact in and out is key.
He’s asking what season is better in general I like late buck no leaves on trees maybe snow easy to find and there stupid
Title: Re: Late vs Early Deer
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on October 21, 2020, 01:37:41 PM: Who hunts late vs early for Westside BT? Interested to see how everyone splits it
Title: Re: Late vs Early Deer
Post by: buckfvr on October 21, 2020, 01:46:32 PM: Quote from: Shooter4 on October 21, 2020, 12:08:38 PM
Quote from: buckfvr on October 21, 2020, 11:42:17 AM
Another thing, the more time you can spend in the woods with the whitetail, with out them knowing you are there, your odds climb higher. Low impact in and out is key.
He’s asking what season is better in general I like late buck no leaves on trees maybe snow easy to find and there stupid

I choose to offer information and let him see for himself, you cant learn hunting by only hunting one season. They're not all stupid.
Title: Re: Late vs Early Deer
Post by: dan11011 on October 21, 2020, 05:25:58 PM: Thank you all for the input. It seems like October is good to bag any buck because there are a lot still feeding with does and not a lot have been killed. It seems like November could prove fruitful with a big buck but might be harder to just fill a tag on any given day?

Thanks for any advice. I've hunted whitetails for a while, I just usually poke one early without much thought about it and then move onto elk.
Title: Re: Late vs Early Deer
Post by: ellensburgpo on October 21, 2020, 05:37:30 PM: I would rather hunt whitetails in the late season during rut then in October for sure. I’ve killed plenty of bucks in October but it’s just easier if they’re rutting. Once they settle down in am in October most of the time that’s more or less where they’re going to stay until evening. If the ruts going those bucks can be out moving all day looking for does.

YMMV