There's still time to get out there.
Perhaps you didn’t get a chance to get out in the early part of the season, or maybe you’re looking to head out again to get another deer in different state or to go after another species. Or maybe you just want to be out there hunting for as long as you can. Regardless of the reason, bow hunters will find plenty of excellent late season opportunities out there. Here are half a dozen awesome late-season archery hunts for you to consider.
If you’re up for a challenge, hunting black bear with bow and arrow can be one of the more exciting hunts that you’ll experience. Of course, the trick to a bear hunt is getting to the bears before they hibernate, so you typically can’t head out too late in the season. As far as bear seasons go, Pennsylvania offers one of the later archery seasons, with hunting available, in certain areas, well into November. Before you head out, though, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission web site to make sure you have all the proper tags and licenses and know where and when you can hunt black bears. Full Fan Lodge offers guided black bear hunts, as well as lodging, if you want to head out with some local knowledge.
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Minnesota is home to some of the country’s best whitetail deer habitat, which, of course, makes it a premier destination for hunters looking to take down a whitetail. The archery season in the state runs through most of the fall and all the way into December, so you’ve got plenty of time to use your deer tag. If you’re looking to improve your chances of bringing a deer home, get in touch with Ten Point Lodge. Located in deer-rich southeastern Minnesota, they’ll take you to where the whitetails are.
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Bow hunters in Arizona have are able to hunt mule deer in several areas throughout the state’s during late season hunts that begin in early December and, in some cases, extend through January. Mule deer make excellent quarry for young hunters or folks who are new to archery hunting because tend to be less wary than whitetail deer and do not spook as easily, allowing bow hunters a little more time to get their shot right. If you’d like to head out into the field with a guide, Arizona Strip Guides specializes in taking archery hunters out and putting them on trophy mulies.
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In New Hampshire, archers are afforded the opportunity to bag a gobbler from mid-September through early to mid-December, depending on the wildlife management unit you intend to hunt. During the fall season in New Hampshire, hunters are allowed to take a turkey of either sex but must purchase a turkey license before heading out into the field. Full Draw Archery, in Londonderry, can get you set up with anything you may need for the hunt.
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For those seeking a true big game experience deep into the autumn months, head out to Washington, where you can hunt elk with a bow well into December in many places. In one western Washington game management unit, Unit 407, the season runs into January. You will find the largest elk subspecies, the Roosevelt elk, which weighs up to 900 pounds, as well as Rocky Mountain elk in the state. A guide service, like Upfront Outfitters, can help you find the elk—it’s up to you to bag one.
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Bow hunters looking for a late-season challenge can find it in the fine state of Nebraska, where they can go after pronghorn from August through December. Pronghorn are often called “antelope,” even though they are not related to any species of actual antelope. They are endemic to North America and can be found throughout the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountain west, and they are a prized quarry for big game hunters. One reason for this is the added challenge that their speed adds to the hunt: Pronghorn are the second-fastest land animal on Earth. This makes an archery hunt for pronghorn particularly challenging—stealth and accuracy are key. Looking to up your odds? Head out with Hidden Valley Outfitters based out of Arnold, in central Nebraska.
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