So I've been hunting a bit here lately . . . and I have not gotten lucky yet. No worries, but I just wonder if I could be more productive.  There is a constant battle within my head, I just can't make up my mind . . . so I will ask the experts.

The little WMA I am hunting is pretty small, 169 acres to be exact. It is surrounded by National Parks Service land, that no one can hunt. I am almost 99.9% sure they are bedding in there, lol.

So my homework says that they like to cross into the WMA and feed, and bed in the NPS land. So that is great I found the corners to be at, no worries. The constant battle inside my head is go in before dark and set up in some natural cover, or wait until shooting light and still hunt it??

If it were a new moon it would be no question, they would be coming from the NPS land at daylight, my Intel is proof of that. But I have no Intel on this spot with a practically full moon. So what do you guys say?

I say if no one else is bothering them get in there. Waiting until light IMO works better for spooked critters. Will be interested in what others think.

If I am trying to sneak in anywhere, I do it when I can see.  Early, but enough light to be able to navigate without artificial light.  Go quiet and slow.
ChuckC

Either will work, just be sure and play the wind and don't take anything for granite...
An evening hunt might be better when you have them coming too you.

Earl that is kinda what I am thinking . . . I went out Wednesday morning and it was pretty productive, just not as productive as I would have liked, lol

Well, you asked....

I learned a long time ago that you kill whitetails with your BRAINS not your LEGS.  Figure out an ambush and be there.  No need to go in before daylight, though, go in when you can see and be quiet.  Stumbling around in the dark is a big mistake with pressured deer.

If your deer are exposed to even minimal hunter pressure then you will wreck your hunting area by "still hunting" around in that small of a parcel.

I'll take the right 2 hrs in a treestand to 2 days of wandering around hoping to sneak up on a whitetail.  Remember you are a part time hunter, they are full time deer.

R

I walk in a lot later these days than I used to.  This is unless I have to go a long distance.  I got tired of hearing snorting and stomping in the dark.  Easy and quiet.

If I know the area well and can get in quiet with a climber, I like 1 1/2 hrs before daylight on stand if trying to catch them from feeding to the bedding area. Even if a mature deer passes under you in the dark, it's better than spooking them out if your spotted walking in during daylight.
I usually see deer later in the morning on a full moon which is why I like to be a little closer to the bedding esp during pre-rut.  Sometimes they don't start moving till 11am and go till around 3pm.

Which ever way you choose, try to back door the deer and not enter through the feeding area in the morning if wind permits. You might have to walk a little further but it's worth it.  

RPG!