The phrase “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey” has probably been tossed about the last few days around our state. Believe it, or not, that saying supposedly comes from more than just “toilet humor.” I’m told its origin, though I’m doubtful, comes from the Napoleonic Wars where naval ships had a brass tray to hold cannonballs. When it would get cold enough, the brass would shrink quicker than the iron balls, thus making them slide off the tray and giving us one of the greatest phrases ever to describe cold weather. As much as I love hunting season, I’m still a summer guy at heart so I’ve used the phrase myself lately, mostly because it’s just funny to say. And if it’s really been cold enough the last few nights to freeze the balls off a brass monkey, how cold does it have to be to freeze the...never mind.
How cold is too cold for deer? What do the deer do when the temperature drops well below a normal Mississippi day/night? What is the best approach to kill a deer when it’s this cold? These are all good questions to look into given out current predicament this last week of deer season across much of the state. Of course, if you’re living in the north part of Mississippi right now you’re probably not too much worried about hunting, but rather how to keep your family warm and fed without power. Unfortunately, there’s no rest for the weary and another wave of cold, arctic air will be arriving this weekend.
Let’s try and answer the first question, how cold is too cold for deer? White-tailed deer are remarkably well adapted to cold. Their hollow guard hairs trap air for insulation, and a thick winter coat dramatically reduces heat loss. I’ve seen several people post this week concerned about deer survival, and while that’s a good thing to discuss, you can rest easy knowing they will be just fine. If deer weren’t built to endure extreme temperatures like this there wouldn’t be a deer anywhere north of the Mason Dixon Line.
When temperatures drop like they have the last few days deer movement does change, but not always how you think. Movement warms you up, so deer must move more, right? Not exactly. During weather changes, deer go into energy conservation mode. Now, movement has a distinct purpose...find food to create enough energy to stay warm. Burning needless energy actually has an adverse effect on the deer’s ability to keep itself warm. Deer will often restrict movement to a couple of times a day to find food and return to an area that doesn’t have much air movement. You can call it budgeting energy.
So, how do you hunt during a cold spell like this? I’ve never been one to believe that there is one way and one way only to skin a cat, so I’m not going to say that there’s a magic method to hunting in the bitter cold. But there are some things to take into consideration and apply to better enhance your success rate. Hunt close to the bedding area. Sounds obvious, right? Deer may not move much, but when they do it’s going to be to get a quick bite and return home. If you can find the thickest cover on your property closest to a continuous food source then your odds of catching them moving are good. Of course, the wind, as always, will either be your best friend or your worst enemy. Position yourself downwind from where the deer are and where they are going. Since they may move less, you may have to be patient and endure not being able to feel your fingers and toes for a while. All part of the pain and suffering you must endure before success happens.
The next thing to recognize is that deer may not present themselves in open areas as much. Focus your attention on travel routes that are shielded from the wind. If you’re hunting agriculture fields, focus your attention along and just inside the woodlines. One thing that I’ve found on really cold days is that deer movement tends to happen more when the sun gets a little higher in the sky, especially on a bluebird day. Just like me, deer like to feel the warmth of the sun on their backs. Your best bet is to still set up between the bed and the food and wait them out.
With just a few days left to hunt, the chance to test these theories are running out. Admittedly, this has been a tougher than usual deer season in terms of seeing deer this year for myself and many others that I’ve spoken with. Warmer than usual weather during December and early January along with the greatest acorn crop of the last fifty years made deer movement unpredictable and slower. While it’s been tough sledding for hunters, it’s a good thing for the deer. I’m hopeful that the nutrition and ease of finding food results in a healthier deer population for the next couple of years.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention more about the winter storm our state just endured. There are a lot of people in need in the northern part of Mississippi and my heart hurts for them. Agricultural Commissioner Andy Gipson is leading a team accepting donations for those affected by the storm. You can drop off any donations at the Old National Guard Armory at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson. Items they are in need of are bottled water, non-perishable foods, and hygiene products. The Salvation Army is also accepting donations and ask for winter coats and blankets. Stay safe Mississippi and good luck as we wind down deer season!
