Interesting article. I've never thought about it that way. Often times though, I've noticed the deer on my property are just as active in the morning as they are at night. It definitely depends on the property; it differs from place to place.
I like to hunt mornings but prefer evenings. When I make my way to my stands in the morning, I decide the night before what stand to hunt depending on the wind and where I have seen more AM activity versus PM activity. Now with a good pre rut coming in to play, the patterns are about to change. This also plays a role on when and where I hunt. Things in central Wi are just starting to kick in with scrapes and rubs, it seems pretty late this year. This is also playing a role in my decision where and when to hunt. If I had the ability right now to sit and hunt from sun up to sundown I would. Even in the warmer weather we have been having here in Wisconsin, the deer seem to be moving throughout the day. Kind of a strange year this year. A late drop of leaves and under brush killing off, the woods are still pretty thick and there is still a lot of green in the woods so its still making it hard to see deer and how they are moving while in the stands. Remember as well you have just as much chance bumping deer in the afternoon as you do in the mornings, so I dont see much difference in the two other than peak deer movement is usually between 530pm and 7pm.
It's like the end of the article said for me, I can't get out during the week because I work. Any chance I get to be in the woods - be it I am bumping deer or otherwise I am going to hunt. Deer are much more active on the property I hunt in the morning apposed to the afternoon and I bump deer almost every time I hunt the property. They aint moving on, through my property until after shooting hours in the evening and that don't do me any good. Ima just keep bumping away and having fun - if I don't get a shot at a buck then it wasn't meant to be I guess...
Morning Hunt Nice article Josh! I have often thought about this same thing. There a couple places I hunt where the only access is a field edge. Most of the time if I shine my green headlight out in the field there are eyes everywhere but they usually do not spook. Same goes for going in the woods. I try to take it slow and be a quiet as possible. Yes, I may still bump deer but they still do not have a clue what I am. I have not seen a significant change in the deer pattern when I have bumped some deer. Now, a big mature buck may be a little different, I don't know. However, sometimes deer, even mature bucks, can be curious to what's in their bedroom. As long as use scent control and play the wind I think you can definitely get away with it. I too have very limited times to hunt. Once the daylight savings time ends I will only be able to go on Saturday and an occasional Sunday evening. If I want to go any other time I will have to take off work and with a 3 year old I have to take off enough already. I definitely think it is better not to bump the deer but sometimes you just have to. If I could hunt 30-40 days or more a year then I wouldn't mind sitting out some of the morning hunts during the early season but I am not that fortunate. Just play the wind, use scent control, and try to find the best ways to access your hunting spots without alerting the entire herd. Just my two cents....
I don't hunt mornings until it's time. Last year I shot my buck on Oct 21 and it was my 1st morning sit of the year. That being said I am also lucky enough to be able to hunt everyday so I can have that luxury of not needing to go. They way both of my properties lay out it is impossible to get in without bumping deer out. I just let them be until they have other things on their minds :D
