Opening-Day Tactics: Morning Versus Evening Hunts Across Regions

During the early days of deer season, deer tend to be a little more predictable than they are during rut season. The testosterone filled rut season usually creates a flurry of activity all day long, with no real rhyme or reason to when the bucks come out, they seem to be out and about all day every day chasing the does. Alternatively, during the early season, deer will predictably seek out cool spots in the heat transition from summer to fall. They’ll stay bedding down in their comfortable cover during the hottest part of the day and come out when the weather cools off in the evening. This is generally true for all regions, so we’ll break down why the deer stay so predictable and when you can expect the pattern to shift from evenings to mornings in this week’s blog, below.

Morning Hunts in September are Generally the Gold Standard

Opening day is Sept. 19 here in Minnesota and as of right now, it’s still about 80 degrees. So, the days are still too warm for the deer to be out and about all day in the heat. Once we approach October, the mornings will become cooler and you’ll be able to switch from evening to morning hunts to take advantage of the temperature drops and extreme rut behavior.

As if it bears explaining the southern states are…hot. For example, Baton Rouge, Louisiana is still about 95 degrees. In this extreme of heat, the deer will stick to their shaded bedding areas as much as possible and visit food sources they’re already familiar with and are close by, so they don’t waste precious energy trying to find the plot.

They Keep to a Routine Until October

In general, the guidelines are pretty similar throughout each regions, hotter days mean later hunts. Many times, the deer herd will be stationed at the bedding areas in the pre-dawn darkness while it’s still cool, before legal shooting hours even begin.

Their feeding patterns are predictable during early season hunts, with the deer gravitating from their bedding areas to food sources high in protein and even more cover like soybeans, clover, alfalfa and corn.

Though they’ll be starting to dissipate, the deer are still in their bachelor groups, so they’ll keep to a more predictable patten before they split off and try to find mates during the October rut season.

Feedbank Gravity Deer Feeders

If you’ve had our Feedbank Gravity Deer Feeders on your property all spring and summer, you should continue to monitor the deer herd’s visits to your feeders throughout opening day. If they’ve been coming during the off season, their patterns will compel them to keep coming even as hunting season begins. If you don’t pressure the area and keep human activity at your Stump blind to a minimum in the days leading up to opening day, you’ll have a good chance at capitalizing on the predictability your feeders have cultivated. Keep them stocked with their typical fall food choices to keep them coming back all season.

What are your opening day tactics when it comes to morning versus evening hunts? Have you noticed that it’s different in your region than other hunters you talk to? How do you adjust for the weather? Let us know in the comments below.