Whether hunting private or public property in the late season, there's sameness in preparation. These are things you either have to learn through mistakes or be taught through listening and reading. Here are a few tips for those who have hunted very little during the late season.

Your stand cannot "creak" when temperatures fall below freezing. Aluminum stands are the worst offenders. Steel stands without Teflon grommets and washers are also bad news when weight is shifted for the shot. Most hardware stores carry vinyl, Teflon or plastic grommets. Refitting your tree stands with these noise inhibitors will greatly improve your stealth.

If you've correctly scouted and know within an hour when deer move toward a food source, it's wise not to climb aboard a tree stand too early during cold weather. Tense, cold muscles completely change the performance of your shooting.

Layered clothing, of course, is best for retaining body heat. The outer or subsequent garment, however, should block wind passage. Many of the scent-blocking products do not qualify for this. Some of these are "breathable" and do not prevent wind from draining your body heat. Carrying in your outer clothing will prevent sweating. The best, cheapest and quietest option for this is the backpack bags sold for carrying out a dead turkey.

The "newest" and most technical piece of equipment for the late-season bowhunter is the trail camera. This device helps determine deer movement so a strategic and timely ambush can be planned. They can be overused, so make sure you're checking it during periods of non-movement and do not touch it with a bare hand. Also, the night-vision infrared cameras do not flash during dark hours and offer the most secrecy for your woodland photo studio.

By using a trail camera, you may discover that a mature buck is avoiding human contact by feeding midday in the late season. Deer often conserve energy by feeding in the middle of the day. It might require a sick day at work to hunt them, so save some of those paid hours for the late season.

The worst possible scenario for late-season hunting is warmer than average weather. This is especially true during full-moon periods. Archers who beat up the woods during these conditions are doing themselves an injustice. Instead, chill out at home, watch the weather forecast for changes and enjoy your family. Only when weather makes a change is it time to follow up on the goal of making yourself a smarter and more successful late-season bowhunter!