Last weekend strategies

[Duckslayer100]

I'm heading out one more time Saturday to try and fill my doe rifle tag. It's a 3 hour drive to my hunting spot in 2H. I was contemplating leaving around 3 to get there well before sunrise, but with the forecasted cold will the deer likely even be moving at first light, or do you think it would be safe to get there a little later and wait for the temps to climb?

The last time I hunted subzero for deer, it was archery and in the afternoon. The deer moved around 2-3 pm. But I'd like to hopefully get a doe down ASAP and then possibly spend the rest of the day with my bow in hand somewhere in the woods and out of the wind.

 

[Retired Educator]

On the other hand, if you're not there at sunup you have no chance of seeing anything.

 

[CAH]

Seems like a pretty obvious decision… you will never kill anything that you arent in front of to kill….

 

[Duckslayer100]

Seems like a pretty obvious decision… you will never kill anything that you arent in front of to kill….

Well...ya. Keen observation.

 

[Allen]

There are times where the crappier weather, the better the hunt. Usually that's at the end of series of crappy weather days, not the first day or two of it.

 

[johnr]

I think the first break of day is key, or the end of the day.
Iffn you have some land to walk, it changes it too.

The boy also has a doe tag, we will head out around 5:45 am, as I am 30 minutes from our area.

 

[Rowdie]

There are times where the crappier weather, the better the hunt. Usually that's at the end of series of crappy weather days, not the first day or two of it.

That's been ALL the time for my lifetime. Always do good when the weather is crap. COLD, now that's a different story.

 

[dblkluk]

I'll never understand the thinking when people ask the "Do you think its worth it?" kind of questions in regards to hunting or fishing.
They must have more free time to get outdoors than I do.
If have the time to go, possible conditions/circumstance be damned, I'm going to be out there.

 

[Duckslayer100]

I'll never understand the thinking when people ask the "Do you think its worth it?" kind of questions in regards to hunting or fishing.
They must have more free time to get outdoors than I do.
If have the time to go, possible conditions/circumstance be damned, I'm going to be out there.

Huh...I'm not sure how a comment asking when deer may move on a subzero day would infer I wouldn't go. Merely if it makes sense to get out there an hour before light and potentially freeze my keister off, or if it would be better to hem my chances closer to sunup "given the conditions."

I don't propose to be an expert deer killer. I've been out on double-digits-below zero days only once, and it was in the afternoon. Thus my question.

Good luck hunting. Hopefully you can find the time.

 

[Bacon]

Last few days I have seen deer moving till mid morning.

 

[Mapman]

Anything goes during the rut. But 95% of the time if you miss the first hour and last hour of daylight you might as well stay home. This morning deer were still moving around at 10am. Yesterday they were all tucked in by 745. I wouldn't want to miss that first hour of daylight especially if you only have two days left to hunt

 

[Duckslayer100]

Anything goes during the rut. But 95% of the time if you miss the first hour and last hour of daylight you might as well stay home. This morning deer were still moving around at 10am. Yesterday they were all tucked in by 745. I wouldn't want to miss that first hour of daylight especially if you only have two days left to hunt

That helps a lot. Thanks!

 

[LBrandt]

Bad weather cold so you dress for it a when your the second mile from the truck you are going to have to crap guaranteed. Long haul hunting is so much fun. LB

 

[guywhofishes]

This is when I find drones to be worth the cost/gamble.

 

[Zogman]

Good friend left this AM for the Badlands. After the 7 year wait he hopes to be back before Monday.

Got pictures of a couple of real nice Whitetail bucks from another friend up in the Svold area.

 

[Kentucky Windage]

Temps don’t mean a thing, it’s the wind speed that matters the most IME.

 

[Motohunter]

I was out yesterday morning and shot my deer before 8am. Activity in my area started right from first light. Drove around after I packed mine out and didn't see much after 10 or so. Temps yesterday were single digits with light winds.

 

[SDMF]

Only time it’s not to your advantage to be out @ 1st light is when there is too much fog or blowing snow to see.

 

[MuleyMadness]

If I was you I would make that 3 hour trip worth it and sit somewhere with either just your bow and can shoot either or have both weapons with. I would choose to use both weapons and sit waiting for the sun to come up. Even for an hour to an hour and a half.

 

[shorthairsrus]

On the other hand, if you're not there at sunup you have no chance of seeing anything.

Road Hunting 101

Anything goes during the rut. But 95% of the time if you miss the first hour and last hour of daylight you might as well stay home. This morning deer were still moving around at 10am. Yesterday they were all tucked in by 745. I wouldn't want to miss that first hour of daylight especially if you only have two days left to hunt

Roadster

Anything goes during the rut. But 95% of the time if you miss the first hour and last hour of daylight you might as well stay home. This morning deer were still moving around at 10am. Yesterday they were all tucked in by 745. I wouldn't want to miss that first hour of daylight especially if you only have two days left to hunt

Roader