Mississippi has produced some giant bucks and even a world record. Here are the top six deer on record in Mississippi by category. Brian Broom
Fewer food resources work in hunters' favor
It's hard to believe, but for most of the state, deer season will end in a couple of weeks. The season will close in all zones on Jan. 31 except for the Southeast Zone, which will close Feb. 15. But despite the fact that deer have been pressured and the rut has ended or is near the end in most areas, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Deer Program Coordinator William McKinley said the final weeks can be very productive.
"We've had an unseasonable cold snap statewide," McKinley said. "We've had temperatures throughout the state in the teens.
"It has reduced food sources. That's a good thing. They are going to start using fat reserves and aggressively feeding. Last winter was so mild the deer we checked didn't appear to have burned any fat reserves. A lot of the deer I've seen (recently) are appearing to use their fat reserves."
McKinley explained that many areas experienced a modest mast crop this year when compared to the bumper crops Mississippi sometimes sees. Then colder temperatures removed some food sources. On top of that, bucks in areas where the rut has ended or is coming to a close have been burning more calories than normal while not eating as much and will be trying to restore lost weight.
So, focusing on food sources such as food plots can be more effective in the late season. Also, finding late-falling acorn producers such as nuttall oaks can offer golden opportunities to harvest deer.
"Find those trees," McKinley said. "They will be magnets."
Late-season hunting offers other opportunities and challenges. One of those challenges is the length of the season.
"You've got to remember these animals have been hunted almost continuously for 3½ months," McKinley said. "There are less deer than there were at the first of the season and they are not nearly as naive, so hunters need to hunt smarter.
"Hunt close to cover. Those areas where the rut is over, bucks are going to be feeding heavily. They are going to be feeding, but they aren't going to go far to do it unless they have to."
In areas where the rut is coming to a close, hunters can capitalize on the few remaining does that are coming into estrous.
"In central Mississippi, that 10 percent of does will be coming into rut," McKinley said. "Rattling works very well this time of year. Bucks will be competing heavily for those does."
Although bucks will respond to rattling, McKinley said paying attention to the wind and scent control are vital for success.
"You need to be able to see downwind because that's what he's going to do; circle downwind," McKinley said.
The rut is arguably the best time to catch a buck off guard, but when it comes to patterning one all bets are basically off. However, as the rut comes to an end hunters have a good chance of monitoring them and figuring out an ambush point.
"Deer do become more patternable," McKinley said. "So, using trail cameras would become beneficial again."
Regardless of what approach hunters take during the late season, McKinley said success comes down to two things.
"These animals have been hunted for almost four months," McKinley said. "You just can't stress food sources and scent control enough."