I have but one more gun deer hunt coming up next week. The only days I can get out is opening Monday and the Saturday. My personal experience is sitting the first 3 hours of the morning and the last 3 at night, give or take. Just wondering if anyone actually sits all day. Has anyone had success in sitting all day in a tree stand, or would it be better spent catching some z's. I am only going with 1 other person, so driving bushes in the afternoon are not happening. Its supposed to be crap windy weather until then, but Monday is rain and +11 degrees (so far). So I wonder if after it settles down with the wind, will the deer be on the move again.
Is it worth sitting all day?
- Thread starter Cletus
- Start date
If the rut is on bucks could be moving all day. However, you staed you put in 6 hours a day which is a pretty long span of time. In an area that is heavily hunted by outfitters that I am familiar with they find that about noon to 3 or 4 produces a lot of bucks during peak rut. I know that I could not sit an entire day in a stand. I have to walk or I go squirelly.
The way I look at it, when you are not hunting the chances of getting one are reduced to zero. Bring a book, keep your ears open, and look up between pages. You might get the opportunity of a lifetime. I've spent dawn to dusk in a stand and I think its worth it. Especially later in the season when they could be wandering during the day. You could try some calls and some rattling and see what that brings in. Wish you luck if you try it.
Sit in the am, and pm, get your rest through the day, you will enjoy your time much more.
Depends on how active the deer are, last year I sat all day for three days to get a buck I knew was in the area and managed to snag him.
This year I wanted to get a buck in a certain area and sat for the better part of three days. First chance at a buck offered no clean shot on the first day so I waited two more. I only got a small buck but it did pan out. This type of hunting really tries the patience but all of your senses are keenly aware of everything going on as compared to stumbling through the bush. If you can stand the boredom I say give it a try. Make sure you sit where thay are moving through tho.
This year I wanted to get a buck in a certain area and sat for the better part of three days. First chance at a buck offered no clean shot on the first day so I waited two more. I only got a small buck but it did pan out. This type of hunting really tries the patience but all of your senses are keenly aware of everything going on as compared to stumbling through the bush. If you can stand the boredom I say give it a try. Make sure you sit where thay are moving through tho.
STEEL ASS!!! That's how they call me during deer season. If you can aford it, sure a few Zzzzz's are a great way to recharge your bateries before the afternoon run. But if your short on time, make the most of it. Of the 8 deer I shot in my life, one was killed durind the day (1h45) the rest; dusk or dawn...
Alex
Alex
I have shot lots of deer in the mid day. I don't like to sit all day anymore but quite often sit for 3-4 hours in the morning then go for a walk or lunch for an hour then sit again till dark. I like to be in my stand during that hour when most hunters are leaving or going to their stands to shoot the ones they scare up to me.
ninepointer
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Ontario
Since I will only have about 1.5 days to hunt during next week's controlled hunt, I'm planning to put in a full day on Monday. Hearty sandwiches (no PB & J), drink and a thermos of HOT soup go a long way toward maintaining your ability to stick it out. You also have to have confidence in the spot you have chosen.
A buddy of mine killed a nice buck a couple of weeks ago with his crossbow around 11:00 AM. He had observed this buck on his property a number of times, all in the middle of the day. As a result, he didn't even bother to getting to his stand before 9:00 AM.
A buddy of mine killed a nice buck a couple of weeks ago with his crossbow around 11:00 AM. He had observed this buck on his property a number of times, all in the middle of the day. As a result, he didn't even bother to getting to his stand before 9:00 AM.
Strap yourself in and get some Zzz's in the stand
I'll Definately second that!!!! I can catch a half hour in my blind, and Im good to go for the rest of the day. and... Im not disturbing everything on my way in and out.
if dogs, or dogging is on the adgenda, its a different story, but still hunting.
I usually pack for the day.
good luck. sitting all day is a plus if you can do it. one old guy , where i'm from, packs a big lunch,everyday of the regular gun season,regardless of the weather and sits for 2 weeks or until he tags out. he always tags out, but it's a long grind.as stated earlier, you're chances are zero if your not out there.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
I've shot deer at all times of legal light, and in all kinds of weather, including windy days when deer are not supposed to be moving.
Last weekend, I watched a really big buck pass well out of bow range, in a howling wind as I froze on my stand.
Stay put if you can, it's worth it, but don't do it at the expense of missing the golden hours of first and last light.
Just of interest, I've noted that as the weather gets colder, deer sometimes don't get moving until 10 or 11 o'clock in the morning. Just when you are thinking of packing it in.
Last weekend, I watched a really big buck pass well out of bow range, in a howling wind as I froze on my stand.
Stay put if you can, it's worth it, but don't do it at the expense of missing the golden hours of first and last light.
Just of interest, I've noted that as the weather gets colder, deer sometimes don't get moving until 10 or 11 o'clock in the morning. Just when you are thinking of packing it in.
i agree john cannuck. later in dec. when the temps. at -25 and we're all hell bent on being out there at first light,i've seen deer not move til middiay when it warms up. there seems to be more proof all the time from biologists , that this is exactly what happens.
I have also shot a number of deer mid day. It's a long haul to sit but if you don't look at the clock time goes by quicker. O yea, bring a big bottle to pee in because you can't stop mother nature. Not too many people remember about that. Just my opinion
John
John
I always plan on sitting all day. As stated, a BIG pee bottle is a must. Bring drinking water in addition to hot drinks. Lots of food, carry in plenty of warm clothing to put on after you reach your stand rather than working up a sweat from wearing too much while walking in, and above all, get comfortable. Padded seat, stool, whatever. If you're the least bit uncomfortable when you sit down, there's no way you're gonna sit still all day.
One thing...if you're like me and use empty water bottles to pee in, DON'T make the mistake of confusing the two. Last year I shot a decent buck at around 3:00 and was preparing to trudge out with him. I was a bit dry and without thinking took a big swig out of the wrong bottle.
Didn't actually swallow it but sprayed the stuff about thirty feet. I had to laugh afterwards...carefully peeing every drop into a bottle all day, then soaking everything within sight with the stuff. Thank god I at least had the presence of mind to aim away from my deer and gear!
John
One thing...if you're like me and use empty water bottles to pee in, DON'T make the mistake of confusing the two. Last year I shot a decent buck at around 3:00 and was preparing to trudge out with him. I was a bit dry and without thinking took a big swig out of the wrong bottle.
Didn't actually swallow it but sprayed the stuff about thirty feet. I had to laugh afterwards...carefully peeing every drop into a bottle all day, then soaking everything within sight with the stuff. Thank god I at least had the presence of mind to aim away from my deer and gear!John
Definatley put the entire day in!!!Deer season(gun)here is only 4 weeks of the year,I can sleep the other 11 months.I'm not actually much of a stand sitter,rather I prefer a more aggressive approach to deer hunting in the form of stillhunting combined with rattling and vocalisations.I would say without a doubt that I have shot more deer during the "mid-day" hours,say from 10am-3pm,than I ever have at dawn or dusk.While the rest of the boys are in camp napping and eating,I'm out on the hardwood ridge gnawing on a hunk a bologna or chunk of cheese.I know one thing for fact,myself,nor anyone else I know,has EVER shot a deer from the camp bunk.
Another excellent reason to stay on stand is that most other hunters are early and late sitters.Generally,they leave their stands at 10ish and come back around 3pm?I see you are from S.Ont.From my limited experience hunting there for a few years during the 90's,I'll assume you are most likely sharing the woods with many others,yes?All that hunter movement at mid-day is bound to bump and push deer around,to the advantage of the hunter that remains on stand all day.
Finally,there are biological facts/reasons to support hunting all day.Deer,like other cud-chewing ungulates,tend to gorge themselves on food when they feel safe and then bed down in their safety zone to digest it.They have evolved this way out of neccessity,as they are most vulnerable to predation when they are pre-occupied with feeding.After an evening of nocturnal feeding,they make their way to bedding areas for a nap and some digesting.It's a fact that within 4-6 hours of feeding they generally get up to stretch,releive themselves,feed some more,and indeed do move about some during the mid-day.
If you only hunt 5 hours of the 10 hours of daylight available during deer season,IMHO you are missing out on 1/2 the deer season.
Another excellent reason to stay on stand is that most other hunters are early and late sitters.Generally,they leave their stands at 10ish and come back around 3pm?I see you are from S.Ont.From my limited experience hunting there for a few years during the 90's,I'll assume you are most likely sharing the woods with many others,yes?All that hunter movement at mid-day is bound to bump and push deer around,to the advantage of the hunter that remains on stand all day.
Finally,there are biological facts/reasons to support hunting all day.Deer,like other cud-chewing ungulates,tend to gorge themselves on food when they feel safe and then bed down in their safety zone to digest it.They have evolved this way out of neccessity,as they are most vulnerable to predation when they are pre-occupied with feeding.After an evening of nocturnal feeding,they make their way to bedding areas for a nap and some digesting.It's a fact that within 4-6 hours of feeding they generally get up to stretch,releive themselves,feed some more,and indeed do move about some during the mid-day.
If you only hunt 5 hours of the 10 hours of daylight available during deer season,IMHO you are missing out on 1/2 the deer season.
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i love to sit out there all day long.pack a small lunch thermos of coffee or what ever else you like.i bring out a couple bottles of water and a couple cans of club soda for a change.if i get too tired i just make up a small bed and have a nap.if i get too cold i go for a small walk
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Here on the flatlands we (at least my group) tend to shot most of our critters between 10am and 2pm. We still go out early just in case, but this has been the trend for a couple years now.
