For many reasons, Pennsylvania's post-Christmas flintlock deer season is the ideal tonic for what can be an otherwise hectic holiday season.
First and foremost there is the laid-back aspect of flintlock season, which is much more a social event than is the general firearms season. With schools closed and many having days off from work, it is a time to bond with family and friends and enjoy the tradition and challenges of hunting with muzzleloader rifles that have been virtually unchanged in their function for nearly 300 years.
With that in mind, one of the most effective methods of hunting deer during the flintlock season alone, with a friend or a small - emphasis on small - group is to slow down, relax and still hunt. In one respect, flintlock deer hunting is similar to fishing a topwater lure for bass in that no matter how slowly the lure is being retrieved, slow the action - even coming to the occasional complete stop - even more.
That is especially true when the strategy calls for driving deer, as the drivers should move at a pace slow enough that they have the opportunity to take a shot. As bowhunters often hunt in the same party with flintlock hunters, the ideal situation is for drivers to move deer on a walk or trot to give archers a shot if they pass within range.
Weather conditions and temperatures during flintlock often provide the ideal conditions for still hunting, as it is reasonable to expect at least one fresh snowfall and several days of 20 degrees between the Thursday, Dec. 26, opening day and the Saturday, Jan. 11, closing of the statewide season. Such days are made for moving, rather than sitting, so it is important to layer clothing and not bundle up like a camouflaged Michelin man ready to spend the day in a goose blind.
Although the major rut phases are over by the end of flintlock season, a few deer will breed late into the winter, but the major reasons they move at this time of the year is to feed and stay warm.
For that reason, one of the best areas to still hunt is in heavy cover such as pines, laurel and briar patches - so pack a pair of pruning shears.
It is important to remember that the most effective still hunting is much more than talking a walk through open areas of standing timber. Patience and persistence are the keys to still hunting, with the less ground covered at a slow pace usually producing results.
When possible get out and still hunt during a light snow or mist, keeping in mind there is no need to prime the pan of a flintlock until seeing deer. There are documented accounts of historic riflemen such as Daniel Boone and David Crockett making some extraordinary kills, but those shots were made by taking careful aim and often with the use of a rest.
Precipitation helps muffle the sound, motion - especially when wearing snow camo - and scent. And while deer often hold tight on windy days, hunting into a slight breeze is often effective because of the movement created in the woods.
Hollows, especially those with a creek running through them, are also excellent places to still hunt with a flintlock when there is snow cover. Often deer follow creek bottoms as an escape route, and they also seek out these areas for cover when they begin to form herds for the winter.
Most often, however, deer trails will cross hollows, and one of the best aids for still hunting is to follow deer tracks - even if they are obviously old. Deer begin to return to their normal routine during flintlock season, and often these old trails will lead to a bedding area, so slow down and use a pair of binoculars.
It is important to have a positive approach to still hunting and not panic if a branch is snapped, which is going to happen. When that happens, stop, wait and give any deer in the area that may have heard the noise time to feel secure.
Another tactic is to hunt with a diaphragm turkey call and make occasional clucks and putts when walking because, after all, turkeys and people are the only visitors to the woods that walk on two legs. Some veteran still hunters also carry a deer grunt tube if they plan to work heavy cover.
Another benefit of still hunting often results in finding roosting areas of wild turkeys. May will be here before we know it. Late deer seasons
Here are the dates for the late archery, flintlock and Wildlife Management Unit-specific deer seasons in Pennsylvania. A back tag or WMU-specific permit is needed to take an antlerless deer.
ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless): Statewide - Thursday, Dec. 26-Saturday, Jan. 11; WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D - Monday-Saturday, Jan. 13-25.
FLINTLOCK (Antlered and Antlerless): Statewide - Thursday, Dec. 26-Saturday, Jan. 11; WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D - Monday-Saturday, Jan. 13-25.
EXTENDED REGULAR FIREARMS (Antlerless): Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties - Thursday, Dec. 26-Saturday, Jan. 25.