5 Reasons the Mid-Season Break Makes for Better Hunting
As many of you know, the season closed December 1st and will reopen on December 11th and extend to February 10th. This is part of a state-mandated mid-season break in the deer hunting season and though not hunting sounds like no fun, there are actually several benefits the break will offer.
The primary reason for this break is that the State Game and Fish Department has data that proves the bucks are still in rut during the first part of February and the rut is many hunters’ favorite time to hunt.
1. Hunters have spooked the bucks
As the deer become more aware they are not being hunted, they will begin coming out of hiding and entering into rut.
Giving the deer a small break in the middle of the season give them a chance to relax. Being unafraid will make the deer (who are in rut during this time) feel free to get out and mate. Though you might think this would be the best time to hunt as they are all out and about, giving them a break for just long enough will be much more beneficial in the long run because…
2. They can stay in rut longer
Longer ruts are more beneficial in the long run.
Longer ruts mean more deer out getting comfortable with not being hunted. By the end of the break deer will have a sense of security and deer will be more visible as a result.
3. More deer for the future seasons
Longer ruts mean seeing more deer.
A longer rut will also mean more deer for the next season, so while you may be thinking you’re missing out on all the action now, just remember that your patience will pay off.
4. A chance for making an investment in next season
Allowing for longer ruts in the current season mean more deer to hunt in future seasons.
Think of this break as an investment to your future self. All of these things combined will make for a better season not only this year, but in the years to come as well. Let the deer get comfortable with the break for a little, let the rut run its course and not only will there be more exposure of the big bucks when the break is over, but there will be many more opportunities to continue hunting the big boys in the years to come as the offspring of the deer from this season grow and multiply for future seasons.
5. Feeding opportunities
Strategic and legal use of food plots and feeding can be beneficial to your hunting season.
Though there are many strict regulations on feeding the deer during this mid-season break, it is permitted that hunters may “hunt any area where baiting/feeding has occurred 10 days after all bait/feed has been removed or consumed.” This ten-day break mid-season provides enough time for hunters who have fed prior to it to give the deer time to come feed, hang out and get comfortable on their land as the break will give the feeding regulation its allotted time for conclusion. If strategized properly, hunters can actually draw more deer to their land at this time, assuming all laws are kept in accordance and feeding practices and regulations are kept in mind.
So even though it might seem like a break means your hunting season will be poorly affected and you count the hours as lost for all the deer you could be racking up, remember that patience is a virtue. Taking a break will be more beneficial now and in the long run as well. It is a win-win situation, so be smart about the time off and enjoy the benefits of the mid-season break!
