Bucks and midday hunting
 

I bowhunted 1 day last year during the 11-2 time slot. I shot a doe at 11.30 and the truth is I was almost shocked when she came in.My question is do the bucks move out of there bedding areas this time of day? I do not use trail cams and I have a spot
that is about 300 yards from a bedding area and can get into with out being noticed. Do I have a decent chance at a buck
this time of the day or do you think it is a waste of time?

It is not a waste of time IMO. I have shot several bucks over the years during this time frame. I do find it best to be set up away from fields and sticking mainly in the wooded areas. I have noticed that bucks or any deer will move around during mid day. I think they just need to strech and get a little browsing in or something. But if you are talking about during the rut then they will be moving at almost any time of day or night threw out the rut..

It depends on where you are.

No 1 - You need to be where a buck is or frequents.
No 2 - This place will have to be a place he feels secure.

So...if you have a No. 1....don't overhunt it. Pick your day. Otherwise, you'll sabotage No. 2, yourself.

I think I did just that last year. Right place.....wrong time.

I know for a fact theres a big 9 and a 10 in this area, my son put
out his trail cam on dec 23-29 and these 2 bucks came in at 8:30 and 11:30 at night. The land owner [ renter] took up bow hunting last year, his stand is 80 yards from my stand and my son has seen going to his stand on a complete wrong wind. He had the bucks noct. The stand is in a white oak patch and that is why I'm wonndering if they might come out in the afternoon
because I'm sure he will do the same thing this year. I don"t want to say anything to him and **** him off.

Big diff. between where bucks might bed/travel.....Dec. of last year v. now. I wouldn't go in without knowing they were there....NOW (when I was actually going in to hunt them). Too random. Remember, they're not spotted very often. They're not moving far when they do move. If you don't have a darned good idea of where they're bedding, you're likely on a wild goose chase.

There's a reason I don't hunt mid-day very often....lol.

If you go....good luck.

ask yourself this, how many bucks have i shot at camp or my couch? if the answer is none, you've just answered your question. you can't shoot them if your not in the woods. deer walk whenever they feel like it or are spooked...which can happen anytime of the day. last year i shot a nice public land 7 point at about 12:15 p.m. he was chasing 2 doe's.

Camo....

"During the rut", all bets are off. I wouldn't care about his bedding area, then. I'd be hunting between doe bedding areas.

Perhaps up here it is because of our large woods or something.. We have seen deer come out in the fields at noontime on more than one occassion.. During hunting season I find it good hunting in around the hardwoods during midday as well as early in the morning or evening.. even more so if there is a small stream or a water source near the hardwoods.. Less hunters in the woods during that time of day as well perhaps make them feel safer?

this particular incident took place approximately 1 month after our "rut" took place. the point to my story was you can't kill them unless your in the tree.

i hunted in that area of time and had pretty good luck. people getting out of there stands at noon would jump up deer my way.