Hunt the Holidays Like a Champion

Hunting during the holiday season can feel a lot like trying to sneak a buck through the family Christmas party without Aunt Karen noticing. It’s doable. But it’s going to take some serious strategizing.

Hunting during the holidays is doable with a solid plan and some understanding family. Image by Realtree

The woods are on fire with deer activity between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. The holidays also fall right in the middle of duck season (which is poor planning on Saint Nick’s part if you ask me). And instead of living out of your truck, spending every waking moment in the woods and living your best life as a hunter, you’re expected to carve store-bought turkey, wrap gifts, and play host to relatives who are convinced that you care more about running around in the woods than spending time with your family. Finding a balance between your love of hunting and your love of family during the holidays takes Olympic-level skills.

Unfortunately for hunters, prime deer and duck hunting often coincides with holiday festivities. Image by Jim Cumming

But with some patience and planning (and probably plenty of hand warmers), you can score some prime time in a blind without going on an extended guilt trip. Here are some survival strategies for hunters who refuse to choose between spending time in the woods and time with their families.

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Sneak Out Like a Pro

The key to holiday hunting is knowing when to make your move. You’re not going to spend a full day in the stand without someone noticing (and judging) your absence. Short morning sits are the secret sauce. Deer haven’t bedded down for the day, ducks are still on the wing, your coffee is still hot, and you can slip back in before anyone realizes you’re gone.

Keep a few solid spots close to home for some quick morning hunts. Image by Realtree

Spots close to home during this time of year will be your saving grace. You don’t want a two-hour drive eating into an already short hunting window. A quick morning hunt on a nearby field or pond will yield more time in the blind and fewer awkward family questions.

While it’s tempting to lie about where you’re headed, the jig will be up when your “milk and aluminum foil” run takes five hours. So go ahead and let the family know you’re heading out. But keep it casual. A simple, “Be back before lunch,” lands better than, “I’m off to bag a big buck and become a legend.”

And if your hunt runs long, have an excuse ready. Something like, “Sorry, I’m late. I was just shopping for those diamond earrings you’ve always wanted.”

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If you want to maximize your hunting efforts during the holidays, a few late-season tips help. Deer are often moving in small, predictable patterns, especially near food sources. Ducks love small ponds, even in the suburbs (just don’t shoot your neighbor’s pet geese). Early morning light along field edges is prime time, and that short sit could end up being more productive than an all-day one.

Hit small, local ponds for a Christmas dinner duck. Image by Realtree

Don’t Turn into Frosty

This time of year can quickly turn the woods into a Winter Wonderland. So, once you make it out of the house, you’ll need some strategies for surviving the cold. Because nothing will kill the holiday spirit, or your morning hunt, faster than frostbite.

Start with moisture-wicking base layers, add a warm mid-layer, and top it with something windproof. You want to layer up for the stand, but skip the Michelin Man vibe. Too much clothing can restrict blood flow and make you feel colder in the long run. Aim for quality over quantity. Which means focusing on fleece, merino wool, down, and insulating synthetics.

Feet and hands can get beat up by the cold fast, so treat them like royalty. Merino wool socks, insulated boots, and good gloves will keep you hunting longer and swearing less. Hand warmers are worth every penny. They aren’t just for hands either. Don’t be afraid to get creative. One stashed between your shoulder blades or a few stuffed under your armpits will help keep you toasty.

A thermos of hot coffee and a few snack cakes in your pack can also work wonders. Hot liquids and a bite of something sweet will warm you from the inside and keep your brain from sending “go home” messages after the first hour.

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Partners in Crime

Hunting over the holidays doesn’t have to be a solo mission. Bringing the kids (or a slightly reluctant spouse) on a short morning hunt can save your conscience and your seat in the family’s good graces. Expect complaints, dropped gear, and too many questions. That all comes with the package. But there’s also a good chance that they’ll love it, or at least come away with a better understanding of your hunting obsession. Besides, those moments may be frustrating at the time, but they’re likely to turn into the stories you’ll laugh about when the kids are grown.

Keep it short and sweet. A couple of hours is enough to get some fresh air and maybe catch some action, but short enough that no one ruins a perfectly good stand with an emotional meltdown. Snacks and a warm drink can work miracles for keeping hands (and patience) occupied.

The goal here is simple: some holiday bonding, a lot less guilt, and maybe, just maybe, a new partner in crime when you try to sneak out of the house to hunt next holiday season.

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Drama Free Holidays

Hunting hard during the holidays may not be in the cards. But you can still work in some hours in the woods without colliding with too many holiday festivities. Be selective about which activities you skip out on. Focus on times when your presence won’t lead to spousal headaches or childhood trauma. Instead, plan your getaways around holiday shopping, post-meal naps, or that calm after the storm of gift opening.

Try to keep a relatively low profile when you reintegrate. Don’t waltz through a gathering with muddy boots, bloody hands, or a firearm slung over your shoulder. That can spark unnecessary drama. Clean up a bit before you make an entrance, give some polite smiles, and act like nothing out of the ordinary went down before you arrived. Blowing back in with some hot coffee and some breakfast biscuits can also smooth your transition back into family life.

The plan is to get in your hunting time, keep the peace, and get back before they ship your presents back to Santa.

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Wrapping It Up

Holiday season hunting can require some juggling of deer and ducks, kids and in-laws, frostbite and fruitcake. But some planning and a solid sense of humor can go a long way to making sure you don’t miss out on too much hunting action (or end up on your family’s naughty list). Layer up, grab your gear, keep the kids and spouse semi-happy, and enjoy the season in the woods.

Make your holiday hunts short and keep a ready excuse so that you stay off Santa’s naughty list. Image by Realtree

And if all else fails, just tell everyone you’re “tracking Santa’s route” out in the stand. Works every time. It might also score you a few extra cookies.