Ozark deer hunters also tend to overlook another factor that can benefit their late-season deer hunting efforts. The period termed the "rut" is universally accepted as being the best time of the deer season to take a good buck, simply because the whitetail's desire to breed injects a variable into its life that can lead it to neglect its usual wariness toward humans and thus jeopardize its safety. Here in the mountains, I've frequently run across fresh rubs and scrapes around the turn of the year. I initially believed wildlife biologists were completely off base with their predicted November breeding dates, until my common sense kicked in.

Two primary factors affect deer breeding activity among individual deer herds in Arkansas. The first is an unbalanced buck-to-doe ratio. In areas in which does are too many, the bucks simply don't have time to get the job done the first time around. As a result, not all does get bred in November.

Wildlife biologists generally agree that the peak deer breeding date occurs on or about Nov. 15, but as with all things natural, Mother Nature has a contingency plan. Does not bred during their initial estrous cycle aren't through for the year. Until they're bred, does come in to estrus again and again on a 28-day schedule for at least a couple of months. Relatively few does go unbred from one year to the next, and late-season breeding extends the rut.

Also contributing to deer breeding activity is the fact that the Arkansas gun-hunting season opens in the middle of the primary breeding period. Despite their sex drive, old bucks don't get that way by being stupid. When they sense human presence -- which of course spikes dramatically upward early in deer season -- bucks substantially curtail movement during daylight hours.

Generally, state wildlife biologists concur, the second breeding period for whitetails in the Arkansas Ozarks occurs sometime around Dec. 10 to 12 and a week or so later in the southern parts of the state. In areas whose deer herds contain a lot of does, have few males and/or feature a diverse age structure, this period may seem almost continuous from late October through January or even into February. So, you see, even in December Arkansas deer hunters can encounter rut hunting at what most of them would regard as an unusual time of year. That's a key ingredient in the success of blackpowder hunters, who, by regulation, enjoy a late-season hunting period this year between Dec. 15 and Dec. 31, depending on the zone.

Other factors increase daytime rut activity among Arkansas whitetail herds late in the season: a shrunken human presence, fewer bucks to do the breeding, and cooler -- even downright cold -- weather.

THE DOWNSIDE TO DEEP-WINTER DEER HUNTING
Not all of the elements of late-season deer hunting in Arkansas are positive ones. Certainly, far fewer bucks will range the woods than did in October, and those that remain will be far more cautious.

Arkansas' weather also grows more unpredictable. Even in years with normal weather patterns, temperatures may range from intensely cold to balmy, with high winds and precipitation also common.

Even in December Arkansas deer hunters may encounter rut hunting at what most of them would regard as an unusual time of year. That's a key ingredient in the success of blackpowder hunters, who, by regulation, enjoy a late-season hunting period this year between Dec. 15 and Dec. 31, depending on the zone.

While weather may seem a hindrance in such situations, it can also confer some advantages on the hunter. Any combination of cold with precipitation or high winds will tend to drive deer into the thickest cover that they can find, there to lie up until the elements relent. So at such times you have at least a general notion of where your quarry may be. And as most trees are bare in December (conifers excepted), the deer's hideaways are much easier for pursuers to find, especially when located near food sources.

I find aerial photos to be invaluable aids for deep-winter deer hunting. It's not hard to use these photos for identifying areas of dense cover. Among the most obvious are overgrown clearcuts, old homeplaces whose old orchards and high grasses often offer cover, and thick pine groves. Look especially for any spots in which deer can lie down secluded from the wind but open to absorbing any available sunlight on hillsides or in small openings inside pine thickets. And don't forget those food sources!