How important is first light...?

[Cyrus]

Not very important this time of year. We got our buck at around 830 am. Deer are on the move all day this time of year. Most deer I've shot has probably been between 930 and 1130 as opposed to the first hour of daylight.

[joshbazz]

man your getting out on a week day be happy...whitetails have still been in bed at 8 this week..many bucks moving get out there dream big racks tonight

This is great news, will be definitely dreaming of WT Racks!!!

Not very important this time of year. We got our buck at around 830 am. Deer are on the move all day this time of year. Most deer I've shot has probably been between 930 and 1130 as opposed to the first hour of daylight.

Great news indeed!

[tooley]

my experience is first light best for mulies and last light best for whitetail.....shot quite a few nooner bucks of both though!

[tooley]

and i think a lot of it is how you hunt. deer are in different areas in the early moring and at dusk then at noon......just need to adjust your hunting strategy for time of the day, season, rut etc.

[scoutlt1]

I'm a big fan of very early mornings, but deer are around during the day, especially this time of year.

Like many others have already said, if you have the opportunity to get out (no matter what time of day), do it!

Good luck and look forward to seeing pics of the buck you shot at 10:15!

[Wentrot]

Damn near every animal out group has gotten is mid day. Get out when ya can, the deer don’t teleport to another planet once the sun comes up.

[dana]

While I am an early morning riser and first light hunter, i can honestly say the vast majority of my late season harvests have been between 10-11 am.

[the hopper]

Ya I’ve never shot a deer at first light.
all between 930 and 330
and I’m out generally dark till dark.

[joshbazz]

and i think a lot of it is how you hunt. deer are in different areas in the early moring and at dusk then at noon......just need to adjust your hunting strategy for time of the day, season, rut etc.

I've got an idea of a few km where they go between cutblocks in the area, but there are a ton of other cutblocks and lakes as well. I actually think I should go out deeper into them, but the first area I found has so much sign and vantage points - I have to try it out.

...Good luck and look forward to seeing pics of the buck you shot at 10:15!

Here's hoping!!!

Damn near every animal out group has gotten is mid day. Get out when ya can, the deer don’t teleport to another planet once the sun comes up.

Good to know, I could have come out quite a few times for partial day hunts, I thought I had always needed to be there for first light – now I know better!!!

While I am an early morning riser and first light hunter, i can honestly say the vast majority of my late season harvests have been between 10-11 am.

This is encouraging to hear!

Ya I’ve never shot a deer at first light.
all between 930 and 330
and I’m out generally dark till dark.

Encouraging as well!

If I get anything, I'll post it here! Heck, if I don't, I'll share anything I learned...

Thanks and good night!

[ducktoller]

Contrary to popular belief deer are metaurnal(sp?) Meaning they get up multiple times a day.

Most of the north American species of deer do a lot of movement at night once velvet is off, ending at dawn and starting again at dusk. They do get up to move, eat, drink, etc mid day.

Does are less this way and more active during the day, during the rut it's less important. But at any time of year deer get shot at any time of day. Just get out there.

Try to shut the door quietly and check the wind before still hunting into your spot. Go slower than you think you need to.