The calendar has flipped to 2024 and in most parts of the country deer seasons have wrapped up. But, there are still some states with time left to hunt! If you’re still out there grinding to fill a tag or two like I am, this can still be a great time to do so. We reached out to our Tethrd Pro Team and Pro Staff to track down some late season tips and tactics to help you fill those final tags of the season. Whether it is staying warm enough to stay in the saddle longer, or keying in on the right spots to hunt in the late season, we think these can help stack the odds in your favor. Let’s kick off 2024 right with some fresh venison in the freezer this late season. Good luck in the woods and be safe!
Josh Hillyard – Tethrd’s Partnership & Community Manager
Staying Warm in The Late Season
Late season is a time of year when the big bucks are more predictable than they have been all year, but one thing that used to keep me from hunting those super cold days was my feet getting cold. I used to always buy the heaviest Thinsulate boots money could buy and my feet would still freeze after a couple hours. Then one day I saw a tip online about keeping your feet warm and decided to give it a try. Since then my feet have never been cold. There’s only three things you need. You will need a pair of good wool socks, a pair of non insulated lace up boots, and the arctic shield boot insulators. The uninsulated boots keep your feet from sweating on the walk to the tree and then when you get all setup throw those boot insulators on and your feet will be warm all day. If you start to notice a chill coming on just throw a hot hand in each insulator and they will warm right back up. Keeping your feet warm will keep you in the saddle for those late season hunts.
Jared McBride – Tethrd Pro Staff
Late Season Hunting Tip 
My late season hunting tip is to treat your hunt similarly to early season. I prefer evening sits for this tactic. A few young does may cycle into estrous, but they will all
hit a primary food source. If you can figure out where that food source is, the bucks won’t be far behind. I’d recommend an observation sit, then set up along that food source where the deer are most likely to walk while keeping your wind and thermals in mind.
Kaitlyn Maus – Kaitlyn Maus Outdoors & Tethrd Pro Team
November is Gone…But Don’t Pack It in Just Yet!
November is gone but don’t pack it in just yet. The best of the season is right around the corner! Scouting now is huge…find the food, find the deer. Just make sure to make your sits count when the weather conditions are at their best.
Brennen Nading – The Breaking Point TV & Tethrd Pro Team
Find Food and Cover
As the late season grind starts here in the Ohio river valley I switch almost exclusively to hunting food sources adjacent to heavy cover. Everything is trying to recover from the rut in my area and build up reserves for the winter. Red oaks are still a factor somewhat as well as waste grain left in fields and if you’re really fortunate the greenery of turnip plots and other late season greens. I concentrate on the travel corridors from heavy bedding areas going to and from these late season sources. Play the wind and hang in there!!
Keith Syers – Tethrd Pro Staff
Hunt Thick Cover and Try to Find Food Sources on Public Land
I usually find myself not hunting this late into the season, because I’ve been lucky enough to tag out in previous years. But this year is different. I am hunting thick cover and trying to find food sources on public land. But after a month-long firearm season here in Michigan it’s proven to be very difficult. I know to stick close to bedding and get in very early for morning hunts, while hunting close to food in the evening proves to be the best tactic I’ve found during this part of the season. The deer are not chasing anymore in the northern part of the state where I hunt, so getting on them while they put on the feed bag for the harsh winter ahead is what I’m focusing on!
James Rhynard – Tethrd Pro Staff
Late-season saddle hunting adds an extra layer to the arsenal of tactics
As the late season descends upon the whitetail deer hunting landscape, hunters face a unique set of challenges and opportunities. With winter tightening its grip, strategic adjustments become paramount for a successful hunt. Late-season saddle hunting adds an extra layer to the arsenal of tactics. In this context, hunters can leverage tree saddles to enhance mobility and access prime locations. Now, let’s delve into effective late-season hunting tactics, considering both traditional strategies and the innovative advantages that saddle hunting brings to the table. Focus on Food Sources: Target standing crops, cut cornfields, or late-season greenery, as deer concentrate on reliable food sources during colder months. Identify Travel Routes and Funnels: Pinpoint travel routes and pinch points between bedding and feeding areas, key areas for deer movement during the late season. Cold Weather Sanctuaries: Locate areas with dense cover, such as evergreen thickets, where deer seek thermal cover to conserve energy in colder temperatures. Weather Monitoring: Stay informed about weather patterns, as cold fronts can trigger increased deer movement during the late season. Scent Control: Pay extra attention to scent control using scent-free clothing, considering wind direction, and utilizing scent-eliminating sprays. Late-Day and Early-Morning Hunts: Focus on late-afternoon and early-morning hunts when deer tend to be more active, especially in milder temperatures. Optimize Stand Placement: Adjust stand locations based on recent deer activity, utilizing trail cameras to monitor movement and adapt your strategy. Patience and Persistence: Late-season hunting requires patience and persistence, with deer potentially more cautious. Be prepared for longer sits and multiple outings. May your late-season pursuits bring both adventure and success in the ongoing quest for whitetail deer. Happy hunting!
Travis Klaiber – Tethrd Pro Staff
Late season Hunting
For a lot of guys, with the rut winding down and the temps dropping everyday, late season can mean their season is ending but for those that are willing to grind through the late season cold, it can be one of the best times of the year to pattern those big mature bucks. I personally love mid December and on. Mature bucks are looking to replenish the nutrients they lost during the rut and that makes them extremely vulnerable over food sources. If you can find the deer sign over food, odds are there’s a buck somewhere close by. I like to do observation sits from a distance, trying to learn the behavior of the deer coming and going from the food source and if there’s a mature buck using that food source. Once I know there’s a buck I want to target I try to E-scout where I think he is bedded. From there I’m going to set up on the downwind side of the food source and the trail I expect the buck to use, when he is coming from his bed to food.
Chris Wheeler – Wheels Up Outdoors & Tethrd Pro Staff
It’s never too late in the season to make sure you have all the gear you need
to stay comfortable and lethal in the saddle.
Shop our “All Day Comfort” gear HERE!