As temperatures begin to drop below freezing, the countdown to the end of turkey season is underway. Many hunters are gearing up to participate in the latest nine-day gun deer seasons, donning their blaze orange and prepping their rifles in anticipation of the season although there could be less deer movement compared to previous seasons.
According to the Department of Natural Resources, the gun hunting season for 2024 is set to start on November 23, marking the latest start for the hunting period. This timing suggests that the deer population may not be as active because the rut, which is the period when deer breed, may have ended by then. The rut usually correlates with increased visibility of deer as they become more mobile to find a mate.
Furthermore, last year’s mild winter could play a role in the current deer population. With the less severe weather, it’s possible that a greater number of deer survived the winter months, leading to an increase in overall population. This combination of factors could create a unique hunting environment this year.
As always it is important to be safe this hunting season by wearing blaze orange and knowing the parameters of the land in which you will be hunting. It’s also important to wear boots, and warm clothing to be prepared for the weather conditions. The weather for the opening of the season is 40 degrees in the day and 28 at night with a chance of snow, according to the Weather Channel.