Do you have a certain "time" in your woods where you notice all of the activity kind of peaks? My "time" is 8 am. Seems like at 8am EVERYTHING comes to life and I start seeing deer everywhere (generally). This movement seems to last from about 8-8:45, and then everything settles back down. However, the biggest buck I've killed to date, was shot at 7:15am.
You may want to look at the time more in relation to sunrise (how long after) and sunset(how long before) instead of the actual number, such as 8 am. I have found that animals move around the same intervals with relation to sunset/sunrise even though the actual times change.
I agree with bruce, I hunt a couple places where as soon as i see the sunlight hit the tips of the trees on this ridge, the deer start to file thru.
Probably the last 30 minutes before legal shooting time ends. Mornings are usually a little later. Probably around 1-2hrs after legal shooting time.
I hunt enough locations that i get a variance of time for peak movement. some are close to bedding, some far, some close to food, some far. some between bedding and yada yada yada :D so it depends where im hunting!
x3. There are spots on our property where you'll see great action right at daybreak, spots that peak mid morning and spots that you're a real fool if you get down before 10:30 or 11. Can make for some very versatile and low pressure hunting.
