Hunting mid-day

[JSimon]

After reading quite a bit about bucks moving more during mid day this time of year, I was wondering how many people have ever hunted the 10:00am to 2:00pm time frame only? I mean does anyone head out around 9:30 and come back in around 2:30 this time of year?

I've heard this can be the most productive time to hunt during the pre-rut and rut, but I just don't know how many all-day sits I can do. I don't think I have enough patience or stamina to do too many all-day sits in a season, at least not without walking around.

[allanburden]

I personally have not been able to hunt mid-day due to work and school commitments, however a fella that shares a lease with my dad and I almost exclusively hunts mid-day and year in year out he kills the most and largest deer on the lease.  It is a very effective time for hunting I believe and I would do it if I had the opportunity, but believe me it has worked for him.  He has killed a big 10 and a very nice 8 this year, though my dad shot a pretty nice 10 himself.  Hope this helps.

[Missouri Bowman]

I once shot a buck at midday during a full moon phase as I watched him bed down for the day and was able to sneak up on him.  Just Friday I was able to shoot a doe as she browsed at 11:30am during a full moon phase.  It does work.  Deer seem to move during midday as they get into their beds early in the mornings and late out during those full moons.  So later they move because they get hungry, thirsty or bucks get ... well, you know what bucks get.  Try it.

[joe skipp]

All the time...we put on small drives and when the ground is wet, stillhunting certain areas produce some close up encounters. When the bucks are starting to get antsy and start some "mild" chasing, its a great time to move around the woods. We also do some bleating in thick cover areas. Be surprised how many times we've had bucks trotting in to our calls.

[BMOELLER]

Walking in Saturday afternoon 3:30 I came face to face with a 140class buck but he was quicker on the draw.  I only got quarter drawn.  They were moving good Sunday 10:00 till 2:00 I think it was due to the full moon.  Next weekend should have some chasing involved.

[houseman]

At least half of the deer I have shot have been between 10:30 and 1:00.  Love hunting then.

[Montyc]

Mid day is when I see most of the deer on public land in MI.  I try and set all day long.  If I can not I will hunt till about 10 go in for a quick snake, and back at 11:00 then hunt till dark.  Most of the bucks I have seen bow hunting are from 10:00 to 3:00 even though when they be chasing you can see them at any time.

[Shawn Leonard]

When the moon is directly overhead or underfoot like the most of last week, deer movement is great 10-2pm. I believe again when the seeking and chase phase begins again which will be in about a week, where I live 10-2pm. will be great again. I have shot 3 of my five best between 11am and 1:30 pm. Shawn

[Archer1019]

Are the deer you all take during the day in the woods or out in the open (corn/bean fields)?

[Brian Krebs]

The last 5 winters I have been able to observe elk and deer that winter within easy sight of my cabin.
                                                   I have noticed that about 2 pm the elk and deer both get up and move around. They may only move a short distance; but they do move around then.
                                                  Today I went into town ( 21 miles) at 1 pm; and when I came back at 4pm - there were 3 more dead deer on the road than on the way in. I could see both ways; in and out from town; deer movement. Its elk season (rifle); so the elk are hidden from my sight.  
                                                 
 I hung out with a rifle hunter this fall; and we decided a good plan was to walk up hill from dawn to about 1; then sit where we could use our binoculars; because the deer would be up and moving from then to about 3.                      

 I am not a morning person ( up at the crack of 11 ) and I like evening hunts; but really; from 1 to 3 is a good time to be out hunting. I do not know the reason for it; if they move to different sun locations; or to stretch; or to help swallow food they chewed up since morning; or what.... but it is a very overlooked time of day........

[Bonebuster]

I too have learned to hunt midday. Especially in the pre-rut.

During the early part of October its not so good, but when it starts getting cooler, I concentrate
on oak groves that are close to heavy cover.

The deer seem more relaxed, and when you see them approaching, there is no start, stop, scan. They just quietly and steadily walk out and begin searching for acorns.

[JSimon]

Thanks for the replies. Many times, I've had the intentions of staying out all day, but getting set up an hour before light and staying on stand until dark is physically and mentally exhausting. If I actually make it that long, I think I would have a hard time getting out the next morning. I'm hoping to take some vacation time in the next two weeks and I think I will try going out mid morning a few times this year (when everyone else is heading in) and hunting until mid afternoon or possibly dark.

I'm thinking it might be an advantage during this time of year to go out a little later instead of spooking deer while I stumble through the thick stuff on state land in the dark while toting my stand,sticks, and bow. It's so much easier to be stealthy when you can see!

I was fortunate to get my best buck ever (and first deer with a recurve) this year, so I'm using the rest of the year to experiment with new gear, like the ambush saddle, and try some new techniques.

I also have a two year old son, so accidentally waking him up at 4:30 am every weekend doesn't impress my wife too much!

[jbb]

Yeah, my wife tends to frown on it when my 18 month old wakes up because I let the door slam on the way out.