Muzzle loader season in Ohio

[Huntinbull]

Our ML season here in Ohio is January 9th thru the 12th. I have never hunted the late muzzle loader season. Wondering how different the deer's behavior is going to be. Will they be herded up more than our early December Shotgun season? Should I stake out oak flats and aggriculture as feeding zones? Or spend more time watching security and bedding cover? Anyone with pointers, please feel free to chime in.

Thanks

[FinsnFur]

Well one thing you can bank on is they wont be in full rut no more.
My opinion on everything else is going to depend on how long your regular rifle season has been out and the woods left quite.

[alscalls]

This year here in WV Food will be the Key........A poor mast this year has forced the deer to really cling to the fields....Eating grass....The bucks will be where the does are.....and the does at least here are on the only food they can find.....Grass. M2C 

[Huntinbull]

FNF Gun season (the main part) ended on Dec 6th. There was a Sat/Sun extended weekend the 19th/20th but was pretty quiet.

Al Decent mast where I hunt here in Ohio (Seneca lake area, east central). Figured I would focus on the mast crop with aggro a close second. With the cold setting in, I thought maybe they would be in the pines more, under tree canopy for warmth?? But everything eats, right?

[GunDog]

Should I stake out oak flats and aggriculture as feeding zones? Or spend more time watching security and bedding cover? Anyone with pointers, please feel free to chime in.

First let me say I've never had the chance to hunt Ohio and really have no idea of what I'm talking about, BUT,  I felt free to chime in! 

Is your oak flats still holding acorns this late in the year? Ours here have about dwindled away already. You can catch a deer in a good oak flat sooner or later in these parts if you have time, which isn't on your side with just three days of hunting in my opinion.

Next depending on how cold your talking about I'd think those deer would be more apt to be in the sun light than in the shade, specially in damp conditions. Depending on how much pressure has been put on them I would be hunting either bedding areas or food source's.

I'm going to agree with Al here, if you have agriculture going on they have to eat! Good luck with your season and let us know how you do! 

[Bills Custom Calls]

Find the trail that goes between bedding food and water.Everything has eat drink and sleep

If standing water is froze over then a good chance would be a creek or stream

If the rest of our winter is like what we had on Christmas day water won't be a problem

Good luck

[HaMeR]

There won't be but a few racks left on the big boys. And they could fall off easily when they hit the ground or crash thru the woods. I'll have the scope dialed up this year. I don't want to shoot a shed buck with 4" bases. I already have a deer & a 1/2 in the freezer so I'm good there. Good Luck.

[Bills Custom Calls]

Glen I don't need anymore deer in the freezer. I have 2 there now and since I am the only one that eats it here that will last me awhile

So all the deer are safe now around me till next season

[HaMeR]

   I know where to go Monday AM now!!! 

:roflmao: :roflmao:

Those two otta last you a while. 

[Bills Custom Calls]

Yeah I don't care.

The deer walked through here again this evening about 4:45

[HaMeR]