By Patrick Calvert
We made it to December!
As I am writing this, it is 1 day before deer rifle season! Yee-haw!
If you’re like me, your Fall was packed with scouting deer feeding and bedding areas, setting up trail cameras, stands, blinds, feeders, sighting in rifles, washing your hunting gear, and anxiously waiting for opening day like it’s Christmas Eve. I hope you put out your metaphorical cookies for Santa! Let’s get caught up on all that December has to offer.
Just because buck firearm season comes to a close (December 8th), it does not mean that the fun is over! There are continued opportunities to stuff your freezer with meat, all the way into January. Archery and Crossbow runs right until New Years Eve, and Antlerless Deer comes December 12th-15th and December 28th-31st.
For those of you who hunt with a muzzleloader you’ll have an opportunity to drop the hammer between the 16th and 22nd and if you do not- give it a try this December! It is another great excuse to get in the woods, pop a cap, and experience a wonderful tradition. This often aligns with what is often referred to as ‘the 2nd rut’. Any does who are not bred during the November rut come back into estrous about a month later and get the bucks on foot once again.
In addition to deer, small game such as squirrels and rabbits are in season through the winter. And if you are not the hunting type, winter tracking is an excellent excuse to get outside, especially after a light snow to help make the tracks visible.
Whatever your flavor, there really is no ‘quiet season’ in our West Virginia woods. Make sure to go outside and enjoy all the beauty that our land has to offer! Happy hunting and stay safe!
