Just because deer season is over and winter is here, doesn’t mean you have to put the guns away quite yet. Rabbit, Grouse, Raccoon, Fox, Bobcat, and Coyotes can make for some great late season hunting opportunities. In WV you can legally hunt all of these animals until February 29 with the exception being that you can hunt coyotes all year long. Squirrel season is still in as well and also ends on February 29.
Right now, is also a good time to do some scouting for the 2020 deer season. Yes, I said deer scouting even though the season just ended. January and February can help you put the pieces in the puzzle for that buck you might have missed this past year.
Trails are well defined and old rubs stick out in the bare woods. With a little snow on the ground trails can become even more obvious as well as tracks from the animals still in season. I know it can be hard for some to already be thinking about deer hunting since the rifles have just been put back in the case, but information gained from late season scouting, or I guess you could call it really early scouting, will lead you where to concentrate come fall. I look at it as getting some exercise and staying in shape for the upcoming turkey season also.
Shed hunting, as some call it, provides another reason to venture out in the woods. Although in my opinion, finding a shed antler is more luck than anything in West Virginia. I’ve found a few in my lifetime but not many. Granted looking along fence rows, along heavily traveled trails, and at the edge of bedding areas can be a place to start, but I still think its more luck than anything. However, if you do find any that is confirmation that a buck made it through hunting season and hopefully it will be in the same area when the time comes to hunt deer once again.
If you are lucky enough to own some beagles or have a friend that does, now is the time to get out and kick the brush. Rabbit hunting with a good group of friends and a few beagles is an excellent way to spend a Saturday in January and February. Listening and watching the dogs work is what it’s all about.
Grouse hunting with a dog can be quite exciting as I’ve found out hunting with Sammy and his two English setters. I’ve been grouse hunting with Sammy and his dogs for several years and it’s something I really look forward to during the winter months. It’s a great way to kick cabin fever and take a walk in the woods at the same time. Not to mention grouse are good eating also.
Predator calling can be an effective, and probably the best way, to bring foxes, bobcats, and coyotes within gun range. A squealing rabbit call is the most popular call to use and you can get it on an electric or a mouth call. Also, it is the middle of winter and the predators are hungry and will usually investigate a possible easy meal. Just keep in mind to watch the down wind side as they always seem to come from this way.
This can be one of the best times of the year to use a call and bring one of those coyotes toward you. Coyotes start to pair up in February and March as this is the breeding season for them. The best time to hunt coyotes are during the nighttime hours when they are most active. It’s important to be well hidden as ole’ wily has keen eyesight and of course a good sense of smell. Whether it’s tromping through the briars after rabbits and grouse or waiting on that fox, bobcat, or coyote to come into your call; it’s a good reason to get outdoors and enjoy some late season hunting opportunities. Be sure to keep your eyes open for deer sign as well as shed antlers if you venture out. It might just help you narrow down where you want to sit come fall.