We have all been there, get home from work with an hour left in the day for time in the woods. I'm lucky as I walk out my back door and into the woods, but what is the best approach to trying to get a deer. I like to hunt from the ground, mostly still hunting. That, however means covering the same ground over and over. I'm thinking an ambush site on some trails but do I have enough time to make it worthwhile.
What do you all do in this situation.
:archer2:
If you can set up a spot or at least predetermine a spot that will work and can get into it quietly it may be worth a try.
I back packed into a wilderness area once and by the time I got camp setup it was late afternoon.I didn't have to set up my portable tree stand so I took a little walk behind camp to where I had seen rubs in the past.I found a rub line and just decided to kneel beside a tree 25 yds from it.About an hour later I heard a noise and a nice buck stepped out.He turned my way just as I released and managed to duck the arrow but that was still pretty cool.
Up till then I hated going out without plenty of time and a specific,well thought out plan but that taught me that sometimes,thinking outside the box a little might make something happen.
I think you are OK for time if you can get to a predetermined spot quietly but if you start spooking deer getting in,you may have to back out,give it a rest and hunt another spot for awhile.
with one hr. left, and sneeking in you will most likely eat up most of that time sneeking in, if you already have a ground blind already set, you can clear yourself a good trail in so you can get in as quietly as possible,and fast as possible, using clippers to clear ubstructive brush, and kicking dead limbs to the side, and scuffing leaves from your trail, deer will actually start using your trail, good luck.
I'd go for it even though it's only an hour you can have a deer run in and stop and you can get the shot off all within 30 seconds. That being said go on out!
I have had many hunts in the past that were only the last hour of the day.
If you can hunt neara fodd source and get into a travel cooridor, you can make it happen. Youmay bump deer going in but thenm again if its between hunting and not hunting at all during the season go for it.
A stand or blind is the best way to go. I have had many opportunities. Its hard to really enjoy such a rushed situation but, make the most of it.
Just like Young Archer said, som3thing can walk right in and you can get it doen in 30 seconds. Its happened many times for me, minus the killing part.
Some pretty good advice. One thing is for sure, you can't kill em from the couch...
You never really know whats in store every time you step into the woods. The deer are getting active and bucks are starting to cruise looking for does. Get in the woods any chance you can this time of year. I have a couple leafy wear suits that go over street clothes, instant camo.
Good luck this year!
Even if you don't see a deer, being in the woods with your bow will be it's own reward.
I'm about to start hunting in the afternoon for a couple of weeks until time change, and I only have 1 hour and 15 minutes max. My camera shows deer somedays between 6:10 and 6:30. So I'm going to give it shot.
Sun sets about 6:00pm here at the moment and hunting ends at sunset. I have ben trying to pattern the deer in the afternoons and I pretty sure they come from a neighbours property into the field in front of my place and then into the wods to bed. Come out of the woods in the morning and head to the neighbour, who feeds them.
And yes, being in the woods is its our reward and I hope that some luck goes with me.
Anytime spent in pursuit is time well spent....if you can hunt for an hour go for it!
None of my hunts have been a sure thing. Have taken a couple of bucks which came in close while I had my bow still on the ground. On one, I eased the bow up when his view was blocked and he was ~ 25 yards away. Another, I had to let walk past about to about 45 yards, pulled my bow up and he turned and came right under me. Both were hunts were under ten minutes.
Even had quite similar occurrence on at least three more occassions where I elected not to take a shot. One was a nice min P&Y ten at 15 yards that I passsed-on since I was hunting his daddy.
Plan well an what could transpire in an hour may be quite fruitful.
Best of luck.
Did it last night. But I went to a treestand. Had a doe under me for 45 miunutes (well past shooting time) and at one point I could have leaned out and dropped an arrow on her back.
So here's my suggestions - obviously this is an area you know. So, where are the deer at this time of day? Leaving their beds & rest/ruminating areas and heading to feed. Since you don't have the time to move you have to put yourself in their path. Know the wind and be where it will be quartering (the deer are probably working into the wind or nearly so; but not always) so you don't have your scent wafting at them. This is where pre-season scouting will pay off.
if u have open areas or fields where you can see a head it is fine,these areas deer that show up late are easier to get a head of,when I hunted fields shot many with an hour left and some walking in,I try to hunt everyday after work
I do that all the time. If your time afield is limited like mine is (busy job, 2 kids + a bun in the oven) you take what you can get.
Play the wind and go in with you boots off (in your socks) and move quickly. You would be amazed how quiet you can be. (bring a spare set of course).
Another trick is to travel with a grunt - if you snap a branch give it a quick grunt. (in Alberta I can get away with an elk call)
If the weather's good I wont bother changing socks and putting my boots on until the night is over.
Stil huntyour way in... or just do that, stil hunting.
good luck. At least you can hunt right out of the door!
Razor, your rut is probably, somewhat in line with us here in the Midwest!
If you have the hour, get out there! Alot can happen in a short time!
You should know, being a fire fighter!
I have places I can go for the "small" time hunts!
The ruttin bucks don't wear a watch!
I'd say to find a trail on the edge of the woods so you can get in quietly and quickly and enjoy the little time you have. I had about 1 and a half hours to hunt tonight and had a very nice buck come in at last light. I didn't get a shot but it sure was fun. Like was said before, you can't get them unless you're out there.