When is the best time to go deer hunting? While there are no hard and fast rules about when is the best time to hunt deer, it is widely assumed that midday and dusk are prime times for hunting. These are the hours when deer move the most, and they are also the most vulnerable to hunters. While you can still find deer throughout the day, they're most active during these hours.
In accordance with Reed Cagle, a Solunar calendar can help you determine the best hunting season in your area. You can view the calendar on a weekly, monthly, or daily basis to determine which days are best for different types of hunting. The app displays the best time of day for various types of hunting and even displays an animated moon phase and solar location. If you're going to hunt during these times, this app is an essential tool. It can assist you in determining the best hunting day and time to maximize your chances of bringing home a trophy.
Whitetail deer are sensitive to changes in barometric pressure, which is why they frequently move, feed, and sleep in response to barometric pressure changes. Furthermore, hunting at the right time means that deer are most active in the morning and are more likely to move early in wet weather. Even if deer do not move far in the morning, they may not move until a few minutes before sunset.
Reed Cagle believes that another time that's ideal for hunting is during dawn and dusk. This is due to the fact that this is the busiest time of day for deer movement. Hunters frequently return home early for a mid-morning nap or go out for lunch. Mid-morning hours can be equally productive for hardy hunters. The key is to get up early and get out there, but to make sure you're still in the neighborhood.
Winter is another good time to go hunting. After snowfall, deer will become more active and more likely to come into contact with hunters. Deer use more energy and feel more in cold weather, so set up near food sources or between bedding areas. Despite the fact that deer are more active in the winter, hunters will need to cover fewer acres in the field. Nonetheless, these times are ideal for hunting and can make for a much more enjoyable experience.
You may want to hunt in the morning or evening, depending on your preferences and the biology of the deer. However, if you have a good chance of seeing deer, you may find it better to hunt at dusk or dawn. The morning and evening hours are ideal times for hunting because deer are actively moving. After dark, deer may leave their bedding areas and emerge from the woods to feed and drink.
Hunters usually take a week off after the end of the season. In October, the waning gibbous moon is a good time to go hunting. During this week, the adult does should go into heat and go into a frenzy of searching. If you're going hunting in the evening, you might want to extend your hunting season until the last quarter moon on October 31. During Halloween, big bucks are killed across the country.
While some areas prohibit night hunting, others allow it and are a great option for deer hunting. The temperature drops significantly after dusk, and deer become less active. Reed Cagle's point of view is the deer will be less active as the temperature drops. If it's too cold outside, they'll stay in their beds to stay warm. In the winter, it's best to look for deer at sundown and wait until it's dark.
Deer usually return to their bedding areas around the same time each day, so morning hunting may also be the best time to look for deer. While hunting in the morning is safer, deer will be more tempted to flee in the afternoon, especially if they are hungry. But this isn't always the case. Whether you choose to hunt at dawn or dusk, it's always a good idea to know when deer are most likely to move.