“food sources”

How to blow a whitetail hunt, and lessons from the man who saved it.

To be successful in late-season muzzleloader seasons, it’s best to focus on feed available this time of year, the whitetails’ need to rest, and the fact that as much as 10 percent of the doe population will come into estrus in December.

There may be fewer bucks moving at this time, but don’t forget there also are fewer hunters in the woods. Look for buck patterns to re-emerge around food sources first.

Hunting properties vary in size and habitat but on every one of them you can create a plan to optimize the tract with shelter, food and water. Thinking about these essentials now pays later when deer perceive their reliance on the cornerstones of life.

Late-season success in Plains states like Iowa hinges on learning to hunt dwindling food sources, extreme weather and odd deer behavior.

Most hunters will never attend the U.S. Army Sniper School in Ft. Benning, Ga., or similar courses conducted by other branches of our military, but the basic elements of this type of training should be recognized as worthy techniques for any hunter to take to the field. Here are a few elements from their playbooks we can pocket for future success.

Contributor Mike Roux gives readers some early-season buck-hunting tips to get on the board fast.

Knowing all you can about the habitat the local deer herd calls home is critical to understanding their patterns, knowing where to place stands and how to plan and adjust for the coming hunting seasons.

Contributor Larry Case runs through the benefits of training new hunters on squirrels.