Looking to make your winter hunts a regular success story? Winter hunting isn’t what it used to be. The cover is gone, food sources are limited, and everyone’s favorite summer locations become barren ghost towns.
Here’s the thing…
The vast majority of hunters hunker down for winter. You know who doesn’t hunker down though?
Smart hunters with rifles who know exactly where the big bucks and trophy muleys go when the temps drop and snow flies.
Why?
Simple. Winter is when things become concentrated.
Game movements are predictable. Feeding areas are condensed. And if you actually show up in winter like most hunters don’t, hunting pressure is nonexistent.
The key? Figuring out where these animals go, exactly.
You’ll learn:
- Why Winter Hunting Is Different (And Better)
- 5x Best Winter Hunting Location Types
- Reading Winter Game Sign Like a Pro
- Timing Your Winter Hunts for Maximum Success
Why Winter Hunting Is Different (And Better)
Starting with the basics…
Winter changes everything for game animals.
Food, shelter, security. That’s all that matters to them now.
This changes their movements patterns 180 degrees. Winter hunting becomes less about range and more about conservation and energy efficiency.
Here’s what happens:
Animals reduce movement. They bed in protection from winter elements. And they focus on finding food sources that will last during the harsh winter months.
Think about it from their perspective for a minute…
Food sources are fewer, farther between, and not worth a ton of extra movement in wintertime. This means that any travel has to be efficient and energy conserving.
Which means they’re really predictable if you know what to look for.
In fact here’s a hint for you.
According to some recent research mule deer harvest was down 22% across the state following winters that caused big impacts and winterkill in certain regions. Guess where the game piled up in those same winters though for hunters who knew where to look?
5x Best Winter Hunting Location Types
Ready to finally learn exactly where these big animals go when it gets cold and snowy? Here’s exactly what works.
Here are the 5 types of winter hunting locations that put game in your scope regularly when other hunters are at home napping.
Southern-Facing Slopes and Ridges
This is ground zero hunting in the winter, and most people still get this wrong.
The sun is at a premium in winter. Southern slopes receive the most of that golden sunshine during short winter days.
This means 3 simple things:
- Snow melts earlier
- Food sources are exposed
- Animals bed here to warm up
- Wind protection from northern storms
Look for south-facing slopes with some scattered timber or brush. Sun exposure with some security cover is a match made in heaven in the winter.
Pro tip: hunt these areas during the first 2x hours of sunlight. Animals want to soak in those rays after a cold winter night more than anything.
Creek Bottoms and Drainage Systems
See that open water you see during the summer?
Yeah, that doesn’t go away in winter. It just becomes a lot more valuable.
Animals need water to survive, and creek bottoms and drainage systems meet their needs all winter long. Advantages include:
- Reliability of water even when it’s frozen
- Enhanced browse and vegetation
- Natural wind breaks
- Travel corridors between feeding areas
Key is finding those drainages that offer year-round water flow and slightly warmer ambient temperatures. That’s where game will concentrate throughout winter.
Agricultural Transition Zones
Ok, here’s one most hunters forget.
The exact transition zones where food fields meet timber become absolute goldmines in the winter.
Animals need both food and security, and that combo is what makes those agriculture/timber edges so valuable.
Look for:
- Standing corn/bean fields next to timber.
- Hay fields adjacent to heavy timber
- Food plots near bedding areas
- Fence lines with heavy browse
Game animals won’t hesitate to feed in these open areas, but they also want access to security cover if danger appears.
Dense Timber Pockets
Speaking of cover…
Winter is the time to go to the woodshed and go to town. Thick cover is all about protection in the winter.
Dense timber pockets offer:
- Wind breaks from all angles
- Thermal cover to trap body heat
- Security from predators and hunters
- Better snow accumulation
North-facing slopes with heavy conifer stands are ideal. The conifers help keep it warmer in and near those thick stands.
But here’s the rub on these spots…
They are tough to hunt effectively. Set up on the edges and funnels if possible. You need good glassing and wind if you’re sitting in the timber like that.
Natural Food Sources
Ok last but not least…
Winter hunting is all about those natural food sources that keep producing through the winter.
Plants and trees that offer food even when the rest of the vegetation is dead.
Animals know these spots, and when natural food sources are available, they become magnets for game.
Top winter food sources include:
- Acorn-producing oak trees (if available in your area)
- Cedar trees with good berry availability
- Standing ag crops
- Winter-hardy shrubs/browse
Key is finding these types of food sources that are accessible even with snow on the ground. Winter weather in Wyoming shows that mild winters with low winterkill often equal accessible food sources.
Reading Winter Game Sign Like a Pro
Winter is like Christmas morning for tracking.
Fresh snow is your best friend. It gives you a clean slate to figure out exactly what happened and when.
Here’s what to look for:
Track Patterns: Winter tracks reveal different patterns than summer tracks. Animals are more deliberate and often move in single file to conserve energy.
Feeding Sign: Browsed branches at shoulder height are common winter feeding sign. Winter sign is more concentrated than summer sign.
Bedding Areas: Winter beds are often more protected with good visibility. Look for oval depressions in snow near thick cover.
Rub and Scrape Activity: This slows way down in winter. But if you see active sign, that’s where animals are hitting regularly.
Key? Winter sign means much more than summer sign. Everything they do in winter is deliberate.
Timing Your Winter Hunts for Maximum Success
Time is critical. Because as much as location, time is what controls all winter hunts.
Here’s what to look for:
Before a Storm: Animals often feed heavily right before big weather. This can create amazing hunting opportunities if you time it right.
After a Storm: Watch for the first nice day after a snowstorm. Hungry animals will need to feed hard and refuel energy reserves.
Cold Fronts: Sudden temperature drops cause game to feed more. Plan hunts for the day after a big cold front hits.
Sunny Days: Solar heating still applies even in winter. Hunt south-facing slopes during sunny weather.
Key is remembering that winter animals are not less active, they’re just more selective with when they do move.
Time of day also matters.
Winter hunting often peaks in midday hours when temps are at their warmest. This is opposite of summer pattern.
Morning can be productive, but afternoon hunts from 1-4 PM often outperform dawn sits in winter months.
Wrapping it all Together
Winter hunting locations are all about understanding survival priorities of these game animals.
Focus on areas that give them food, water, shelter, and security, and you put yourself in position for consistent success. Best of all?
Most other hunters will be at home with their feet up in winter.
Key is knowing winter concentrates everything. Game animals, food sources, and hunting opportunities all become much more predictable and condensed.
Focus on southern slopes for heat, drainages for water, and thick cover for protection. Add proper timing with weather patterns and you’ve got a formula for success that always works.
Winter hunting isn’t about battle against conditions. It’s about using those conditions to your advantage.