What Time Do You Get Off The Stand?

I know to many this may be a silly question to ask but its something that can make or break a successful hunt. What time do most of you get off the stand? I know I've gotten off as early as 8 simply because I havent seen a deer all day and unfortunately sometimes Il spook a deer as am leaving, but on other days I've managed to pull it out to about 12 PM. I just wanted to hear some thoughts on this.

 

I hunted two weeks ago and was determined to stay all day, and I'm glad I stuck it out, because at 2 PM I had a shooter at 35 yards bed down then at 3 PM a Monster buck walk over and stepped on the bedded buck then walked off to rub trees. Moral of the story, if I had left for lunch and came back around 2:30 I would be looking for a new set up/ Stand location. The bucks are on their feet, but they might not be moving far (100/200 yards). I wouldn't leave any earlier then 10 now, and 9:30 after the time change.

 

During this time of year, I would consider an all day hunt.

 

last weekend in Iowa, I didn't see anything until 8:30. literally right at 8:30. Everyone is going to tell you a little different. It depends on MANY factors. Weather is big, location is bigger, Rut is biggest. If it's peak rut, seriously sit as long as you can! I've had deer walk past at 1pm during the rut! If it's early season, I normally high tail it around 9am. How close are you to bedding? food source? are you hunt funnels, travel routes between bedding areas? it all depends my friend.....

 

I hunt adjacent to bedding and I obviously only hunt with the wind in my favor.

 

normally I get up around 930am or 10am

Haven't seen anything for over a week. Checked my trail cam today and all nighttime pics. from 9pm to 5am..

did have a nice 8 pointer on it and a few smaller bucks and couple of doe. All roaming around at night.

 

Usually 10-1030

 

In the morning I will not get down until at least 4 hours after sunrise. In the evening the earliest I will get down is at sunset. Durng the rut, pre and post, I may stay all day depneding on the stand location.

 

I hunt til 10 atleast, but if I have movement at 10 or slightly before, I always sit an extra 45 minutes. IE: if I see a deer at 950, my plan will then be to hunt til 1035, if I then see a deer at 1020, I won't get down till 1105, - I'll keep this up as long as I'm getting movement.

 

During the early season I'd liked to be out by 9am since it seemed like deer were already done moving by then. I've been staying in a little longer now that its colder and we're getting into the rut.

For evening hunts I get down when I can no longer see through my peep sight.


I'm going to try my first all-day sit this Saturday - we'll see how it goes!