New York's whitetail herd has been under siege for the past couple of months, first by bowhunters, and then by firearms hunters, who by now have put a pretty big dent in the deer population. Most hunters get their fill of deer hunting after just a few days afield. But if you are the type who feels genuine anguish when the last day of the last season ends each year, there is still hope.

New York's late archery season in the Southern Zone starts Dec. 11 and continues through Dec. 19. (There is no late archery season in the Northern Zone.)

December archers generally have the woods virtually to themselves, and if they do encounter another deer hunter, it will be a kindred spirit, someone who speaks the language.

Scouting is the most vital component of a December archery hunt. Deer behavior has changed considerably since the early archery season ended. Deer movements related to feeding behavior is the most reliable means of getting close. Natural food sources have changed, and many deer bed on public lands but move onto surrounding private lands to feed.

The presence of mast crops can also have a big effect on deer movements. When many acorns remain on the ground, deer will congregate there to feed. Also, any apple tree that still holds apples will usually be visited frequently. The fewer the feeding options, the better any source of food will be as a location for your stand.

Spend some time scouting. And if you're lucky, there will be snow on the ground to make the task easier. Other public lands in the immediate vicinity should be checked, too. The more options there are, the better your chances of detecting a pattern.

December hunters can generally expect deer densities similar to last year. According to Jeremy Hurst, a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation big game biologist, the state's deer population peaked about 2001-02, and has generally declined as a result of higher deer-management permit allocations and severe winters from 2001 through 2003.

Now the population has stabilized across most of the state, and deer management permits were reduced in 2004 and again last year.

"Because last winter was so mild, deer reproduction seems to have been real good," Hurst noted. "We should see the population growing again in most of the state."

The following is a look at some of the public lands where archers can expect some good hunting this month:

NORTH HARMONY STATE FOREST
Snowstorms coming off Lake Erie can make conditions very uncomfortable during December for both deer and hunters. When these lake-effect storms hit, deer seek thermal cover -- generally in steep ravines thick with hemlock trees. The steep slopes provide relief from the wind, while the hemlocks provide some cover from snow.

North Harmony State Forest covers an area of 2,561 acres in western Chautauqua County near Panama. From Panama, take county Road 76 north and then turn left onto Wall Street Road, which connects with other roads that provide access to the interior of the state forest.

In North Harmony State Forest, the varied habitat includes thick cover and mature timber. The terrain is generally rolling hills, but there are steep slopes in places. There are also wetlands and forested ridges.