For many Pennsylvania deer hunters, the time between the close of last Saturday's statewide firearms deer season and the opening of the statewide flintlock muzzleloader and late archery seasons is a time of transition.

Bolt-, lever- and pump-action centerfire rifles have been cleaned and racked until next year's practice sessions at the shooting range. Attention has now turned to making sure a supply of sharp flints, roundballs, cleaning and loading patches and all the other extras needed for a flintlock hunt are accounted for and in order.This year the statewide flintlock and late archery seasons for antlered and antlerless deer open Friday, Dec. 26, and continue through Saturday, Jan. 10. Flintlock hunters still in possession of their deer tag may take a buck or a doe statewide and an antlerless deer with each wildlife management unit-specific license or Deer Management Assistant Program-specific permit.Bowhunters make take a buck only with their deer tag and an antlerless deer with each wildlife management unit-specific license or Deer Management Assistant Program-specific permit. Those regulations are also in effect for both flintlock and bowhunters during the extended season in Wildlife Management Units 2B, 5C and 5D, Monday-Saturday, Jan. 12-24.In the Special Regulations Area counties of Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia an antlerless season will be held permitting the use of any legal sporting arm - including shotguns and centerfire rifles where permitted. A WMU license or DMAP permit is needed for each antlerless deer taken.For many hunters the late flintlock and archery seasons are one of their favorite times to hunt deer. In almost all cases the rut is over during these late seasons, which means deer will move less and tend to be found in small herds or family groups.At this time of years bucks are no longer looking to breed, but will search out food sources to regain body weight lost during the rut. Food sources can often be in short supply and more difficult to find, but deer need to eat and are willing to keep on the move to find food.This can work to the benefit of flintlock and bowhunters if they locate a regular feeding area that shows sign of activity. This can be an open area in the woods, harvested farm fields or better still, those that still have standing corn.Finding an active feeding area allows flintlock hunters the option of setting up a groundblind, which with the addition of a propane heater can make spending the day on stand comfortable. Another option for both flintlock and bowhunters is using a treestand where possible.Often overlooked in the late seasons is that the need for stealth and even scent elimination is nearly as important as during the statewide archery season in October. And because deer are more likely to bed near their feeding area in the winter, prime shooting time is usually the last 90 minutes before dark, so getting on stand by mid-afternoon is best.No matter if using a blind or simply taking a stand, flintlock hunters should avoid setting up on active deer trails. It is much more productive to find an area that provides a view of the prime feeding location that provides a shot of 30-40 yards.Bowhunters should also avoid setting up a treestand directly on any single trail and where possible find a location over the food source. Doing this will provide a shot opportunity no matter how deer approach to feed.Flintlock hunters who plan to stillhunt should keep in mind that overdressing - no matter how cold the weather - can be counterproductive. Steady movement will usually generate enough body heat to remain comfortable, so dress in layers and carry a jacket in a backpack.Bowhunters who plan to spend hours in a treestand are advised to also dress layers, wearing as little as possible while walking to their stand. Once in position, layer up and top everything off with a safety harness.