How to ... Lessons for the final days of bowhunting in Minnesota

Bow hunting for deer in December is much more difficult than earlier in the fall.

The naive deer of September, October and November now lay in neatly wrapped packages in hunter's freezers across the state. Those remaining on the hoof are wary as ever.

I was reminded of this on New Year's Eve a few years ago during my final bowhunting foray of the season. I headed for my tree stand about 3 p.m. As I walked toward my destination, I could hear the cold snow squeaking with each footfall. No amount of tiptoeing would soften the noise. I was horrified. I knew any deer within 200 yards had its ears cupped in my direction, listening.

Once I was settled on my stand, I started to assess the situation. I knew the biting wind that blew from the northwest would be both a curse and a blessing.

The curse, of course, was how cold it was. Even though I was outfitted in the latest clothing, I'd be freezing by the end of legal shooting time.

The wind was a blessing because it would help cover any sounds I might make. For example, the subtle sound of clothing scraping against tree bark doesn't attract much attention in October, but the alert deer of December will surely notice. And how about the grating sound of a bow hunter shifting his weight when even the smallest chunk of snow comes between his boot and his tree stand? In December, any deer bedded within 150 yards will jerk its head upright.

December bow hunting requires extra stealth. All of our gear — from bows, arrows and quivers to clothing and tree stands — must be kept in silent mode.

Here is another factor to consider during late-season bow hunts: Some of the bucks in my area (in central Minnesota) have already dropped their antlers. So that "big doe" you spotted in the distance might be a buck who has dropped his crown. By now the average buck has lost up to 30 percent of its pre-rut body weight, making him not much larger than an adult doe. Antler shedding varies widely across the state. The deer in your hunting area may carry their antlers through January.

If your 2014 archery tag is unfilled, like mine, you have until the end of December to hunt. Best of luck.