Early season mid-day hunting?

Do any of you all that hunt 10am-2pm say from October 1-October 25th see any deer movement? Or do you save your mid-day hunting for late Oct-mid-November?

The reason I ask is because I can see where I might lose some hunting days this year, yet I could regain some of that time on stand if I was willing to hunt 10am-2pm on some days until my vacation begins in late October.

So bottom line, do you think mid-day hunting from October 1st-October 25th or so can be productive?

 

Personally, no.

Other results may vary.

 

I have deer movement mid day. If you are close to the bedding areas, why not be there for when they mill about?

 

I think it could be counter-productive.

I also think AM buck hunting, during this time of year, could also be counter-productive.

 

I've found that those during those first 3 weeks in October, it is MUCH more productive and beneficial to be sitting in front of eggs, bacon, and a butter smothered stack of french toast with College Game Day on the big screen at the local club.

I will say that on the 3rd Saturday of Oct 3 years ago, it was dumping rain. I had just gotten my french toast at 11am, when I got a call from a friend to go track the biggest buck of his life. The reason that he was out there, same as you, had very little time to hunt so he figured it was better than not being out. Personally, I get plenty of time out and I love me some french toast.

 

I see no reason why you couldn't If your set up right.

 

I have a lot of spots to burn. I could hunt areas miles away from my main spots. I could care less if I burn those spots.

 

Well, there ya go. If you have little to lose, why not?

 

I've seen quite a bit of deer movement between those times on the property I hunt.

I killed this buck on Oct. 13th 2008 around 11:45. I'd say go for it. You never know what will happen or what could spook the big boy out of his bed toward you.

 

Big difference between bucks in July and October though.

 

When an evening front is coming.

 

Sliver, I am going to give the 10-2 hunting a go, especially when a front is moving in like you said. I have some back up spots where I can be aggressive without having to worry about burning it up. I have a weird work schedule and I want to spend time with my children being a dad instead of hunting every afternoon that I am off work.

 

Scott..."Big difference between bucks in July and October though."

Do you attribute the changes to a buck's overall routine to the changing of the season, to hunting pressure, or both?

 

Honestly I have never did mid day sits during those dates. Its from the last week of Oct - Nov for me

 

I am getting aggressive with my set-ups the first 3 weeks of October this year in the RIGHT spots with the right winds.

 

If that's how you can get more time on stand and not have to worry about burning a stand i say go for it.
For me i dont hunt most "productive" stands until Oct 20th-25th. I really believe in the October lull between the 10th-20th. I just dont see many good or even any deer in this time but... that doesnt mean one cant be shot.

Good luck and let us know what movement see.

 

Very good point Scott and I thought about that tonight a few hours after I posted this. I really do think though that mature bucks will move regardless of the time of year. Where this pic was taken Is about 100 yards from a pond. Water sources are awesome things to have around I think.

Regardless though, good point Scott!!

 

Hunting Whitetails, is a can to can't activity. one trip in and one trip out per day.

 

Didnt you get daylight pictures of him later in the year?

 

You talking about the buck I was hunting last year? If so yes I had pics of him October 11th at 10:30 In the morning.