Hey Guys, I am up in Massachusetts so my "early" season is later than everyone else considering I still have 9 days until the green light up here. What are your guys' opinions on morning versus afternoon hunts during this upcoming week. I know the following week usually kicks off the rut here. I look forward to your opinions. Tyler
Im from nebraska, and I think you can do more harm hunting the mornings then good during early season. I usually dont hunt mornings til rut is in full swing. If I do hunt mornings in October , its because im after doe for meat, and I will hunt stands that I dont care if deer spot me or if I skrew up the area. The thing with hunting mornings early is that bucks move into their bedding areas at different times and if you walk into your stand and a buck has already went and bedded down before you get there, then you could spook him and let him know you are in the area and he could take off and never come back. For me it is too big of risk, i would rather hunt the evening and catch them on they're way to their food.
MA hunting regs are AWFUL!!! Whereabouts in MA are you? RI has the best hunting regs in NE and CT is 2nd. Afternoons have always been better for me, but this year I'm following a buck who shows up in the AM on his way back to bed. tough to say in your situation though, depends on the area. are you running trail cams?
Smack, You make great points, But usually early season I am in there after a nice mature doe so I think that the morning could prove beneficial. I do agree that it can also have some negative effects on my season as a whole. Swamp Stalker, You are correct! MA has horrible regs. I have been so busy with school and work that I have not been able to throw up any cams this year. That is a bummer for sure but I have been able to put my stand up in a great spot with a lot of sign. Now it is just a matter of trial and error until I can pattern these guys. Hopefully a cold front will come through the week of the 20th and make my decision a little easier lol. Once I graduate I will absolutely look into hunting in CT or RI next year so I have more time to get out there.
