Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

How many of you guys have seen/killed deer in the middle of the day.... say 11:00am-3:00pm??

I usually come out of the woods around 10nish, if I'm not having any luck... what are the chances that Im missing something?

What time of day did you see/kill said deer?

RE: Killing deer in the middle of the day...
 

I have had shot ops between11AM andnoonon some borderline 3.5's and one shot that I wish I had back on a pretty good buck.

RE: Killing deer in the middle of the day...
 

I don't know if you're talking about the rut, or just in general, but when I hunt the rut I'm in ALL day. Dark to dark, no matter where I'm hunting.I saw the biggest buck I've ever see in my life in Alberta at exactly 12:05PM, lunch time for a lot of guys.;)

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RE: Killing deer in the middle of the day...
 

I killed a lot of bucks during rifle season between 9 & 12. Most of these were forced movement from other hunters. Those that leave to eat lunch or just can't sit very long.

I have shot the majority of my bigger bucks within an hour of dark.
I shot one at 11 AM
I have seen a lot of movement during the rut In the late morning.

I hunt one area that doesn't get a lot of human pressure. During the rut any time of day is as good as any other. I see a lot of daytime movement of bucks.

During the rut I would suggest hunting as much as you can. It can happen at any time. It's the3 weeks you wait49 weeks for. :D

RE: Killing deer in the middle of the day...
 

Yes, am I'm aware of All Day rut hunts, I'm just speaking generally.

RE: Killing deer in the middle of the day...
 

On days thatI do hunt all day(other than the rut),I see a good bit of activity-enough to keep me interested

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

Some of the biggest bucks I've ever seen were around noon. Mybest buck was killed at 12:30PM working a scrape. I have a theory on that but itsway to long[8D]. When I walk3 or 4 miles to my stand, I set all day no mater what time of year.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

This last year alone I was getting weird work hours so I would go at 9am till about 2pm. early in the season when the bugs were really bad the deer would move just to get away from the skeaters I think, Then not much day time activity untill rut.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

I am very interested in hearing your theory.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

I'm sorry magicman,[&o] after being ripped and put down for my spelling and grammar several times,[:@] I try to keep my post as short as I can.[8D] I do use spell cheek now and its gotten a little better.:)

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

no go ahead, if you feel like taking the time to write it, we'll take the time to read it. Im very interested in hearing it.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

Couldnt help myself gri22ly ;)

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

Quote:

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Couldnt

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Couldn't help myself, Siman.:D

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

I've killed 2 bucks and 2 does last season at or around 2:30 PM. I see the majorit of them oin late afternoon going to ffod sources. My problem wth morninghunts is that they are ona a mission, whether its rut or food and cannot stop them for a shot.

In the afternoon my tinks wick usuually stops them in their tracks. I did kill one at around 8;15 one morning cruising his rub line, but my kills have mostly been in mid afternoon to dusk.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

Being new to hunting at such at late age, I too would be interested in reading your theory. I hunt private land that only has about 35 acres of woods and 60 acres open brush and food plots. The surrounding area has high pressure of hunting, especially more so during rifle then bow (which is why I'm out there more during archery season). Anyway, not to get away from the post. My short 3 years in this locationhas shown me that the hunting is more prevalent from 3 PM and on (in general). I think mainly because I'm hunting the food plots. However, this year I am moving a few stands further back into the woods near trails leading to the plots in hopes of connecting with a mature buck rather than the smaller bucks and does that come out earlier in the evening at such plots. My first two years hunting, I did alot of "all day" hunts, but found I burnt myself out? Hard thing to say when 10 months go by and all I think about is deer hunting, lol.

PS, nice site magicman.

So yes, write your theory, don't worry about spell check, I sure don't. I would take the time to read it. Thanks.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

I have seen alot of deer activity durring the mid day hours. Be it from other hunters pushing the deer or what. I "heard" a theory once that deer feed on 12 hour cycle. Maybe they dont come out in fields or food plots every 12 hours but they do have to eat. I havent seen anything to prove this theroy wrong. So if they are feeding at midnight .....then that would put them feeding again durring mid day.
The oldest buck I ve killed was @ 11:30 am. (6 1/2 year old 7 piont)

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

I think if you break it down to how many deer you see per hour that you'll see less during the middle of the day. I've still killed just as many deer during the day as I have early/late.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

Who gives a **** Grizzly what others think about your spelling!!!! Your a hunter, not a grammar teacher. Lets hear your story, you've always got good info!

Magic I can relate to what you say. During the gun season I see more bucks between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm because the gunners are coming and going so much at that time.

During the rut though I do see a good share of bucks of all sizes (more on the bigger side) between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. I thinks its due to the fact that the doe's are getting up to get an afternoon snack or drink in and thus causes some commotion with some chasing around.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

I was thinking the same thing, but I didn't want to crash the party.:D:D

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

I heard something similar, except I read it's a 4 hour cycle. Which I think is accurate.I have watched deer that were bedded, get up at high noon and browseright in their immediate area for about 20 mins, then bed right back down in the same area. It was neat.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

Well at least i wasn't the one claiming to use spell check :)

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

Huh?

Sounds like a good magazine article theory.....but I doubt it's true in real-life.

I've hunted all day a few times, during the rut. I just dont see the activity I see in other times of the day. Call me lazy, uncommitted, etc........I just don't have the patience to sit through what "I" feel is an unproductive time of day "for my woods". I've seen good bucks (relative) here after 11:00.....but that's usually when I'm thinking of climbing down. You also have to remember that a buck don't have to travel far or look real hard to find a doe in my woods.

In reality.....I'm sure there are some great bucks killed during the middle of the day. I also think it's "a" way for some hunters to perch themselves on the "I am extremely dedicated and you just don't want it, enough" perch. I actually don't know anyone who's killed one in the middle of the day, here.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

That right there is a big factor, nationwide. IMO

From my experience, the 10-2 hrs. aren't very productive at all for seeing A LOT of deer. But it's the one time every other year or so that it pays off and makes it all worthwhile.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

I'm with you Jeff when it comes to not being able to sit through "un-productive" hours

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

Thats why I said it's a little better:D:DI checked it and spell check said it was right:D:D......oh well. You can spell Simam, good for you, I'm still teaching my self.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

2:15 pm... Caught this guy cruising in the heart of the rut here in Illinois.

I've had tremendous encounters over the past years while hunting in mid-afternoon. It is my favorite time to hunt in November.

And I don't believe its a crazy theory. It is purely dependant on several factors.. but it is a natural buck movement during the breeding season. But like anything else... it depends on the land you are hunting.

Incidently, the buck pictured is dominant.. dressed out at just over 230 pounds.. and was a 5 1/2 yr. old deer.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

HahaI actually just started using it myself gri22

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

Thats pretty harsh GMMAT.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

I'd say more typical than harsh.:D

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

I will try to make it short, bucks spend10 months avoiding does, there patterns andhabits are opiset...The longer they live the more they change.....Thelittle 3 1/2 year olds are still in transition, there half way there. A truly mature buck relies and lives byhis noes....He doesn't wast hes time checking an area until all thedoes havemoved through and bedded down. Theres allot more to this but have Iproblems putting it down.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

You are not going to see a lot of activity during the mid day. You are looking for 1 good deer. Location of your stand is critical for mid day success. Sitting on or near a food source is not going to produce. Place yourself as Greg h suggested and you will have a better chance.

All day sits are tough. especially when you are not seeing deer. But they can produce.
I have seen big bucks moving during the middle of the day too many times to believe it is a fluke. I have seen them cross 1/4 mile of wide open field in the middle of the day in highly pressured areas.
Maybe try going out later in the morning a few times and sitting until early afternoon. Success breeds success. If you see a few it may give you the confidence to hunt that time period more often.

RE: Killing deer in the middle of the day...
 

You don't NEED to see a lot of deer, just the right one!!;) JMHO

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

The last 4 bucks I killed up here were at 11:00, 11:30, 12:15 and 2:30.

All of them were killed during the peak movement time, according to the game tables. These, were big woods deer that don't see a lot of human activity and are more in their natural state.

RE: Killing deer in the middle of the day...
 

Schultzy....my post wasn't pointed at anyone. Please don't take this the wrong way (I mean this, sincrerely)....but I'm far beyond caring how people interpret my posts.

I honestly feel it's "a" way for some hunters to do exactly what I described. In other words.....I think there's a lot more people preaching the practice than actually doing it. If it doesn't apply to you (not you, personally, but in general) it doesn't.

That's good stuff MM. Makes sense. Like I said....I've tried it, here, and to be honest.....I've never seen a deer between noon and 2:00....and I hunt the areas Greg describes a LOT (It's where I've killed my best 2 bucks).

Dan....that success demands respect. Kudos to you.

RE: Killing deer in the middle of the day...
 

Nice post.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

I hunt an area like that and I see deer move at all hours of the day. I really don't think there are times that are better than others. I have seen much more mid morning movement. To the point where I get more confident as the morning wears on. I believe the key is lack of pressure.

RE: Killing/seeing deer in the middle of the day...
 

How many times during PEAK RUT have you been driving away after a morning hunt to see deer chasing across a wide open field? I've seen some of the larger bucks in my life like this, and without a tree within .5 mile.:D

During the rut/pre it can happen at any time. Other times of the year I focus less on the all day thing.

RE: Killing deer in the middle of the day...
 

I agree.

RE: Killing deer in the middle of the day...
 

Not really Jeff......its totally different up here than in 95% of the rest of North America. There are a lot of times I can't get out hunting right away in the morning, but because the games tables show peak movement in the middle of the day, I don't sweat it.

I can tell you that if the rest of NA didn't receive the pressureit does, buck to doe ratios were closer and the over all herd dynamics were better a lot more people would see the same results I have.

I must also mention, that this isn't just me. A lot of the guys that hunt with me and my family have pretty much the same story to tell.