When One Door Closes, Another One Opens

January 10th was the last day for many Iowa hunters and now it's now time for most of us to hang up the shotguns, bows and muzzleloaders. If that's the case for you, I hope you had a successful and happy season! While the doors of the 2010 Hunting Season drew to a close with falling snowflakes - a new door is opening. And the new blanket of white is like a clean slate to start the special January Antlerless season, which lasts until the 30th. Keep in mind, hunters need to pick up a new 2011 hunting license in addition to their tags (which are only available for a select group of counties south of I-80). There are still thousands of tags left, click here for info. on county-by-county Antlerless quotas. From a weather standpoint, it doesn't get any better than this for late season! An active & cold pattern will push animals to predictability and food. Thick snow makes deer visible and will help confine herds to their best food sources in out of the way places. Deer are thinking high energy forage and thermal protection. So focus on cozy, south facing valleys adjacent to corn fields or any cover close to food that offers them protection from the elements. If you think hunting does is easy, go give this season a try! Winter whitetails are savvy creatures. They have adapted the skills to survive the slugs, arrows, cars and cold. You'll often find them herded together and hopefully you see them before you see their white tails -it's hard to sneak past several sets of wary eyes. To make matters worse, they're often perched on a hillside with good cover and great visibility. If you're smart about your wind and your approach, this season is fun and you'll see lots of deer. Go get some cagey does, if you can!