It’s been a somewhat tough year for me, but I’m still holding out hope that I can put down a nice buck before the fat lady sings. Ill be hunting public land in southern Oklahoma for the remainder of the season. The latest I’ve killed a buck on public was the first week of December, so I’m in somewhat new territory, looking to fill a tag this late. I have until January 15th.

The area I hunt gets some pressure during early-to-mid November, but it’s a ghost town now. I have 4-5 shooters on my cameras in what I would say is about a section-sized area (600-700 acres?).

I’m having a really hard time figuring out how to approach my sits. Buck activity seems to be so random. Does are out at all hours. Big bucks are doing most of the moving at night, but I’ll get pics at random times in daylight as well (12pm today!). In this area, it’s extremely difficult (impossible?) to nail down exactly where bucks are bedding. There are a lot of options and they switch it up all the time. I generally know where does are headed.

Should I be focused on food sources? Bedding areas? Transitions? They are still hitting some scrapes, but mostly at night. Would now be a good time to use attractants like estrous? I haven’t had much luck with grunts/rattling.

Either way, I’m going to be out there, but I would appreciate any advice you can throw my way!

Very simple. Hunt during the middle of the week and be as quiet as you can. The deer are now latched onto the sights, sounds, and smells that have invaded their realms since the season opened.

Not a big help this year, but I have a couple of tree stands that I don't hunt till the end of season. They are close to the feeders, but far enough away that the deer usually walk past before scoping out the feeder pen. I usually one get one or two sets before they figure it out. Climbing stick and a chain on so they are easy to move year to year. When I was younger, I would use a climbing stand and back up into the woods where they usually come out. Also easy to move to a different tree every day.