Photo by Michael H. Francis

For the most part, deer hunting seasons have wrapped up across much of New England by now. However, for die-hard archery and muzzleloader enthusiasts, some late-season hunting opportunities still exist in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Despite being so late in the year, the next few weeks can be a prime time for hunting whitetails. Weather conditions might be less than perfect with cold temperatures and the likelihood of snow, but such conditions will get deer moving early and keep them going throughout much of the day. Snow also makes finding bedding and feeding areas and primary runs a lot easier. Best of all, most hunters will have hung up their gear for the season, so state lands will be far less crowded.

While weekends might see more activity, hunters getting away mid-week are apt to have an entire management area or state forest pretty much to themselves.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
The Granite State’s archery season opened back on Sept. 15 and remains open through Dec. 15.

New Hampshire’s deer population is doing well, according to Kent Gustafson, a biologist and Deer Project leader with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. During the past couple of hunting seasons, archers have done pretty well, harvesting 1,841 deer in 2003 and 2,158 deer in 2004, an increase of 17 percent.

While many archers prefer to bowhunt in September and October when hunting conditions are more enjoyable, the last few weeks of the season can bring some prime hunting opportunities, especially south of the White Mountains, where late-season weather conditions are often less severe.

With over 200,000 acres of public land in the form of wildlife management areas and state forests, there is plenty of room to roam, especially now with fewer hunters out there.

Kearsarge WMA
This 1,080-acre public-hunting area in Andover offers mixed hardwoods and softwoods with hardwoods predominating on the ridges. Some timber harvesting took place back in 2000, primarily trees heavily damaged during the 1998 ice storm. The cutting has regenerated new growth that attracts deer. The WMA abuts 4,965-acre Kearsarge State Forest to the south and west, creating more than 6,000 acres open to hunting. Access to the area is easy. From Route 11 west of Andover, take Cilleyville Road to Kearsarge Mountain Road to Leadmine Road and then proceed for about two miles to the WMA, which is on both sides of the road that ends at the Andover-Salisbury town line.

Jones Brook WMA
Another area worth considering is the Jones Brook WMA in Brookfield, Middleton and Durham. It covers over 1,490 acres, making it one of the largest WMAs in the state.

Featuring upland forest with hardwoods and various softwoods of various age and size, Jones Brook WMA is home to several important deer wintering areas. The terrain is hilly, steep in places (three mountains are within its borders) and while there are no clearly marked trails, hunters willing to explore and bushwhack should be able to find deer. The area abuts Kings Highway along the Middleton and New Durham town line, and hunters will find a small parking area that connects with a gated road that leads to Jones Pond. There is also public access in Brookfield. From Route 109, take Governor’s Road and then Mountain Road to its end.

Enfield WMA
In Enfield and Grantham, this WMA covers over 3,060 acres. It is mostly forested with mixed hardwoods and stands of fir and spruce, but there are also marshes, beaver flowages and several ponds.

This is one of the largest WMAs in the state, offering plenty of room and habitat diversity while being home to a good deer population.