This morning, I was waiting on an appointment and picked up a copy of "Field and Stream" (I think). In it was an article detailing 50 tips for late season hunting. I didn't get a chance to get much past the first 20 or so tips, but near the top, the author of the article said to skip the mornings because - after the rut - the bucks get back to their beds way to early to beat them there and well before shooting light.

I've always hunted both times without giving it a thought, but after thinking it over, I have killed all or nearly all my late season deer in the evening. Sure would be nice to stay snuggled up against my wife on those cold winter mornings.

Any thoughts?

Well . . . ?

Are mornings during the late season mostly a waste of time?

Now that I think about it, I have seen more bucks, and deer in general, in the evenings during late season but I do see deer in the mornings as well. Is it a waste of time to hunt the mornings, it's never a waste of time when it comes to hunting. I think I'll take my chances whenever I can get out there.

Well DaveH said no morning hunts,for whitetail,aleast thats what the author states.. If you stay in bed you might be able to hunt some split-tail......

Makes complete sense to me. I have yet to see a deer in the last week or so. I usually hunt mornings, because it is easier for me to do. Guess I'll have to change the schedule around a little. Thanks for the info. I was just going to post the question on here about no movement in the AM.

lets say this theory is right and the bucks are bedded down before light..... the only problem is that anything can spook a deer up out of its bed. how are you going to shoot a buck under your stand while you're snuggled by your wife when a tree limb, squirrel, etc. kicks that buck up by your stand? this is the way i see it.
there are only so many days to deer hunt and plenty of off season saturdays to sleep in. the deer are always out there. maybe you're not seeing deer in the morning because you have chosen a poor stand site for your morning hunts. just a theory.

I shot my best archery buck 7 AM last January. You can sleep in if you want, not me.

I would not say it is a waste of time, but evenings in my experience are better in the late season. It is generaly warmer in the evenings also which is a bonus.

I have only seen the buck that I am hunting in the mornings. He is a 7:30 to 8am guy. I just can't seem to pick the right tree. He keeps on changing his approach trail. I'll get though. It's only a matter of time. I have hunted a bunch of evenings lately. Very little movement yesterday. I was in my stand from 2-5:30pm. Only saw a button buck.

I guess I could see it either way. I shot a 147lb doe last sunday at 8:30AM.During the drag out of the woods, there was plenty of deer sign and fresh rubs that weren't there the day before. I would guess alot of deerbedded down by first light, but at the same time, there are still plenty moving after first light.