It sounds like your hunting situation is similar to mine as far as style and location. I' m not in the same boat as you with the schedule, but i can tell you that the hours from 9:00 to 1:00 can be prime for buck movement. My biggest bucks have been shot between 9 and 10, and I shot a nice 8 pointer two years ago right at noon.

You should have no problem finding a fresh track to follow once you get out there (if there' s snow). Since you don' t have all day to track, you want to be picky about which track you choose to follow. If the buck (assuming you' re after a buck) seems to be moving fast and steady looking for does, it might be best to pass on him and look for an easier target. I assume you are good at telling the approximate age of a track - when time is of the essence you want to take up a track that is smoking fresh so you have a better chance of seeing the deer. The older the track, the less the chance (usually), of catching up with that deer.

Still, you may want to follow it just the same (especially if it' s big) to see if he slows to feed or check does. Also (as you probably know) following one track will most always lead you to more. If he is heading for a likely bedding area, and the track meanders and he' s just poking along, feeding or rubbing, etc. than that' s a buck you should be able to catch up to. He' s likely going to bed down for a while to rest, which may be the chance you need. When the track tells you he' s slowing down, go very slow and pick apart the woods with your eyes - he could be watching you!

Tough schedule, but you can still make it happen. Just be persistant and never give up (oh yeah, and pray for snow)!