BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[Illinois_Dave]

Anybody ever had any success hunting during the middle of the day?

I read this and that about how dominant bucks get up and move around during the midday hours. Honestly, I've never had the guts to try it. I'm always afraid to miss out on anything that may move in the morning or late afternoon.

Any good tips?

[jfrench]

Midday is fun. Especially with a partner. We usually wrap up around 9:30 and find a place to sit within the hour, and start calling. We've had luck twice this way. Usually just outside of the really dense areas. Works very good with a hunting partner, because you don't have to do all the calling and you never know when your call might stop working properly.

[Whelland]

You can have success in the middle of the day, but don't give up the mornings and afternoons.

I've had success during the middle of the day on several occasions, but I hunt all day. While my success rates have been better in the mornings and afternoons (particularly the afternoons) I never give up a chance to hunt whenever I can. The only thing that will keep me out of the woods is lightning.

Admittedly, the biggest reason why I've had more sucess in the late afternoon, is due to the fact that it's the time when I hunt the most due my work schedule

Pack a lunch and hunt all day whenever you can..

[Hammer1]

Anytime, almost anywhere, and when you least expect it. More active at dusk & dawn, but that doesn't mean you are going to see them then, as opposed to high noon :)

[JTapia]

I keep a detailed log book of Deer sightings and Deer killed over the past 30 years that I have tree stand hunted. Looking thru it I have Killed 42 Bucks with 17 of those killed between 10 AM and 2 PM. Of the 17, 11 were Killed between 10:30 and 12 noon. None were killed out of stand locations that were hunted more than 2 times with 3 of those killed in the 1st sitting.
5 of the 11 killed before noon were killed the opening weekend with none killed after noon on opening weekend. The remainder were killed during the peak rut, which is about mid Jan, but none were over scrapes. All were killed on bright and sunny days with steady winds.

My mid day stands are places that I have seen bucks during the mid day in the past or close to bedding areas that are usually small swamps (called "heads" here) that are located in the middle of timber company chops. These heads are usually 2-3 acres with some only being about the size of a large house.

None of the 42 were killed in my truck, camp, or at home so hunt when you can and hunt all day unless, as Whelland said, it is lightning !!

[saskie]

1130am:




I stay on stand until 1300 (depending on where I'm hunting I may switch stands around 930), then take a 2hr lunch and back at it for 1530

[Illinois_Dave]

Thanks for the input, guys.

:thumbsup1:

[Tatertot45]

One other thing. I have had success mid-day because i have gotten deer that other hunters bump/push as they leave the woods. I have been bow hunitng the last few seasons in area populated with a duck hunters. I have seen deer midday as those Duck hunters come out of the swamp. Similar situation with gun season.