I would just like to take the time and say hello to all the members of this site. I just joined today, and reading some past posts have learned a bunch.

This is my first season bow hunting, I am 24 years old, but I have been gun hunting my whole life. Now, after bow hunting this season, I dont think gun hunting will be that exciting BUT it is still hunting. I mainlyhunt in NY and NJ, although I did not get a chane to take a shot at anything yet, I did see a lot of does, and a 10 pointer in back of my uncles house in NJ. I could have taken a doe that was under my stand for 20 minutes, but I opted not to, and wait for the buck. Well the buck never came, and that was my missed opportunity.

Now to the question! During the rut, will the bucks and does remain active most of the day? Will they still run in and out of the fields, or is it more of a wooded area thing? I always thought that morning and afternoon was the best times to hunt, but recently I was told by someone the best time to hunt the rut is between 10am-2pm! Is this true? Sould I concentrate on a wooded area with some signs of life, set up the stand, and wait?

Thanks again guy's, great site you have here!

Welcome aboard. During the rut, the next 2-3weeks for most places, and NY NJ included, it is best to be in the woods any chance you get. The deer are moving at any time. If you can make it all day, great, if you can take a shorter lunch, great, if you only have time between 11-3 to hunt, be in the woods. THere are no bad times this time of year.

Welcome

I would agree. I still think optimal times are the morning and afternoon hours, catching the deer in and out to feed, but bucks will be pusing does around all day. Stick in the stand, and the deer will come to you--get on some type of trail and sooner or later, that doe will bring that 10 pt back.

Good Luck

DITTO

Welcome aboard, great site with some great people!!!!

As Rybo said above - there really is no bad time right now to bowhunt....

I will also say to be ready - The buck of a lifetime can walk by at 1:00 in the afternoon.... As a matter of fact-the deer in my avatar was killed mid-day last year on November 8th....

Be ready
Be safe

Good luck

Welcome, Great Site I was once told the more you hunt the more opportunities you will get to kill the deer you want. Deer move a lot during the rut.

Thank's guys! I will be out there all day Sunday! Plan on heading in early AM, and staying till dark. I will be packing sitting in a tree all day, waiting for my first shot!