Sorry, that’s a bad appropriation of a song lyric. But it’s good advice if you’re still hitting the woods in search of that final winter deer.

Hunters going after whitetails this time of year face two big challenges: the weather stinks, and the deer that made it this far into the season aren’t traipsing around idly, wondering where all those funny men in orange came from. You need every bit of perseverance you can muster for the first challenge. For the second, look to a few key allies.

You probably know more than a few farmers. If you’re smart, one or more of them are landowners who you’ve befriended through a long, productive hunting relationship. Drop by the farmhouse some time during these cold weeks with venison, cookies, whatever the farmer likes,

Photo by Matt Cunningham

For lots of Ohio hunters, this is the time to pull on old thorn-bitten jackets, stuff the warmest socks in the closet into the old boots and bundle up for rabbit hunting. It’s probably the most social form of small game hunting, save for wing shooting; the talk and camaraderie that come with a group of rabbit hunters following a pack of beagles would scare every squirrel, groundhog and raccoon out of the woods.

To the best of my knowledge, there are three tactics that can produce rabbits. Big emphasis on “can,” since the fleet-footed critters can sometimes hide in plain sight from even the most experienced eyes. But if you fall asleep on cold winter nights to visions of braised bunny, these tactics might be worth trying.

Blind hunting

Yes, you can sit in ambush for rabbits. Needless to say, this tactic works best if you locate an active burrow and can approach it silently before the resident rabbits are up in the morning. For air rifle hunters, this is the way to go. Let the first rabbit out of the hole walk (little chance for a bag limit if you scare the ones to follow) and be sure to dress warm; a ground blind in February is not the warmest spot in the woods.

Jump shooting

Shotgunners without dogs aren’t out in the cold when it comes to rabbit. In fact, this is probably the most common method for bagging cottontails. Move slowly through rabbit territory, stopping and scanning the bushes at irregular intervals. Most often, you’ll not see your quarry until it bolts from right under your feet, so be familiar with how to safely raise, aim and fire your shotgun in tight quarters. There’s rarely enough time to judge your shot for safe backstops, so plan your path through rabbit hotspots to make sure your likely shot lanes don’t leave you shooting toward houses or roads.

Hunting with dogs

Is there anything better in the woods than the happy expression of a beagle in the middle of a hunting day? I suspect not much. Hunting behind these rambunctious dogs can be a blast, even if no one fires a shot. There’s nothing like hearing the dogs catch the scent of a rabbit, then chase it around a wide circle until the pursuit comes crashing through the bushes in front of you. This type of hunting often involves lots of hunters as well as dogs, so pay double-close attention to where your muzzle’s pointing at all times, and make sure that’s a brown rabbit you’re aiming at, not the brown spots on your buddy’s beloved beagle.

If you’re heading into the woods on a regular basis this time of year, congratulations; you’re one of the tough ones. No one will argue that Ohio’s leaden skies, sharp wind and low temps really emphasize the “dead” in “dead of winter.”

Of all the lousy times of year to get lost in the woods, this is probably the lousiest.

So what do you do if you get turned around in an unfamiliar patch of forest? GPS is nice, but batteries fail, especially when it’s cold. In the absence of technology, here are a couple of suggestions for getting out of the cold in one piece:

Do your homework:

Before even setting foot in the woods, get a map of the area. The ODNR publishes basic maps of its wildlife areas, and even an up-to-date road map will at least give you an idea of how big the forest might be, and what bodies of water or roads you’re likely to come across. If you can get your hands on a topo map, even better. Learn to read the land contours, and you’ll be able to spot your position with little trouble.

Mark your path:

I carry a roll of surveyor’s marking tape in my pack when scouting a new patch of woods. The bright orange or pink ribbon ties easily to twigs and saplings at eye level, and placing a mark every 30 feet or so (depending on the thickness of the brush) leaves a visual trail back the way you came. One word of note about this trick, though: On your way out, it’s simply good manners (and good for the environment) to remove your markers as you backtrack. Don’t fill the woods with bright plastic litter.

Follow the water:

This was one of the earliest woodsmanship tricks I learned: If you’re lost, find and follow a creek. It’ll eventually take you to a road, civilization or larger body of water with one of the two nearby. If you can’t find a creek, you can probably find a dry one, and they usually work the same, so long as you keep going in the downstream direction.

Tell a friend:

This should go without saying, but don’t venture into the woods alone without first telling a spouse or friend where you’re going to be and how long you plan to be out. If you’re incapacitated or get REALLY lost, that’s the key to getting help to you in time.

Photo by Matt Cunningham

Since this week’s warming trend has melted off most of the snow (at least down here in Southwest Ohio), I though it would be fitting to mention a few mud driving tips. After all, water + dirt +temp above freezing could = stuck trucks if you’re not careful. So keep the following in mind if you come across any new potholes or mushy spots when you hit the woods this weekend.

Look before you leap

Think about it; you wouldn’t take a shot at an animal you couldn’t clearly identify. Along the same lines, don’t drive into a puddle you’re not familiar with. You never know how deep or rutted it could be, and it’s hard to tell what the right line through an obstacle is if you’re in the middle of driving it. Get out and use a long stick to probe the mud. It could save you a real headache.

Momentum is king

Notice I didn’t write “speed is king.” No, momentum is what you’re going for. Hitting a puddle too fast could spell broken axle or suspension parts. hitting it too slow, the more likely scenario, could spell stuck. If the truck stops moving, back off the gas, reverse to where you last had traction, and try it again. Keeping on the throttle while the truck’s not moving will only dig you in deeper.

Friends are good

So what happens if you do get stuck? Don’t expect AAA to come to your rescue, at least not for cheap; many insurers and auto clubs either refuse to extract off road vehicles, or they charge an arm and a leg to tow a tractor out to you. If you’re close to home and have a friend with a solid 4X4 (and the skills to use it), keep a tow rope on hand, and be prepared to barter dinner, lawn chores, etc to get a little help from a friend.

With these thoughts in mind, enjoy the unseasonable warmth. It won’t be too long, I bet, before we’re snowed or frozen in again, and there’s no point wasting a rare beautiful weekend stuck in the mud.

Maybe you’ve already filled your deer tags for the season. Maybe you don’t care for small game hunting. Maybe you’ve accomplished the hunting goals you set for yourself this year, and are looking for an alternative excuse to get into the woods this time of year.

If so, here’s an unlikely winner: a few inches of snow make for perfect snow-cycling conditions.

Yes, you heard right: there’s a good number of mountain bikers around this part of the country who love hitting the trail when it’s buried under a bit of the cold white stuff. And there’s good reason for their enthusiasm, as I found out on a recent ride with some Cincinnati-area riders at East Fork State Park.

Photo by Matt Cunningham

Riding in snow is much slower than in dry conditions, as one might guess. For the three-hour ride, we averaged about 6 mph with a good number of stops.

But that doesn’t take into account the workout. With snow covering trail obstacles and altering traction of the familiar route, we had our hands full staying upright in sections where we typically wouldn’t think twice. The slippery, cold conditions were perfect for working on balance and technique, skills that will pay dividends this summer.

And the view is spectacular. The woods in winter are breathtaking, but the best vistas are often too far for a comfortable hike. Even when slowed down by the snow, the bikes got us into the heart of the woods and all its snow-covered beauty.

Needless to say, clothing choice is critical when riding in the snow. Layers have to wick sweat, insulate and keep the wind out, in that order. At 20 degrees, it was cold enough to be bad when standing still, but warm enough we had to be careful not to overheat and sweat on harder stretches of trail.

Photo by Matt Cunningham

So try something new as Ohio hits the dead of winter. Gear up, and go for a ride. And who knows? I always see plenty of game when on the bike, so maybe trying snow riding will lead you to your next prime fishing cove or hunting spot?

Photo by Matt Cunningham

Did you donate part or all of a deer to Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry this year? If so, you’re part of a very successful year for the program. Farmers and hunters who donate venison to the program do not have to pay for processing of the deer. The meat goes to area food banks, many of which have been hard hit by the recent economic instability.

The ODNR reported that as of December 15, almost 100,000 pounds of venison had been donated. That’s a lot of food for families that may have otherwise gone without protein on the plate.

There are still a few weeks left in the deer season. If you have a smoke pole, the late muzzleloader season runs January 9-12. And archers still have a few weeks left of their wonderfully long season; it closes at the end of this month.

So if you are fortunate, skilled and blessed to bag a late-season whitetail, consider making a FHFH donation. You’ll feel good about it, as will the many people you help through the thick of the winter.

But not in the way the usual cliche’ goes. If, like me, you’re heading out this time of year for small game, there are some advantages to going small when it comes to bullet selection.

I’m referring to the range of .17 rimfire cartridges out there, such as the 17HMR. Look at the photo below:

Photo by Matt Cunningham

Notice the same thing I did? There’s a lot of airspace up in the branches this time of year. That means that squirrel hunters and other small-game folks can reasonably expect to see their quarry waaay downrange.

Now, take a look at the following chart from VarmintAl.com:

image courtesy of www.VarmintAl.com

Across the board, the .17 caliber rounds fly far flatter than the .22LR. That larger bullet is fine for the typical sub-50-yard shots that are commonplace in the fall, but in winter going with a smaller, faster round can stretch your reach to double or more, depending on your skill, firearm and the safety of your shot.

So have fun with the smaller hunting implements in your gun case this month. And if you’re out from Jan. 9 to 12, don’t forget the blaze orange; it’s required during the late muzzleloader season.