Northcountryman

So they don’t sleep for very long, but once bedded , stay within that general bedding area for hours - and that time probably increases after the rifle opener till we’ll after the season is over .

They kinda do little cat naps don’t they ? One time several yrs ago , I had a little button buck take a nap underneath my tree stand opening day; this was the longest period of time I had ever witnessed a deer actually engaging in the act of sleeping . I’d say he slept about an hour , then, got up and scampered off . Maybe about an hr at a time roughly ?

Merry Christmas everyone !!

Yes, so youre saying they do it basically the same time of day chronologically ; most variation is due to changes in daylight savings time, I think that preety much true but do believe that hunting pressure can have an affect on altering their movement patterns as well, although Im not certain how much. Just maybe, these bucks and does that for the most part, became ghosts after the openiner of rifle, still move at the same time pretty much as before, they just have adjusted their routes and destinations to stay away from previous areas more highly visible to humans; now, thehyre moving around still but further back and in highly concealed areas.

Notice another curious feature of the graph: the only major seasonallly dependent variance in deer movement appears to occur in the afternoon/ dusk time period. As VH stated, it shifts left from summer to winter as sunset time gets earlier; But the sunrise time window of movement pattern stays faily consistent, regardless of time of year. I wonder whats up with that I wonder?

Wait: I see what youre saying; yes, the curve does shift right for summer and fall-nice.

Yes, but why is the summer curves peak nearly identical with winter when sunst is delayed a few hours? It seems as though its more time dependent . doesmt it? Actually, maybe daily savings might come into play here as well, right?

I agree , but dont believe thir movement is steady all night- light entraining? Elaborate please!!

Yes!! This graph makes alot of sense!! Especially this time of year, how many times have you left your spot at sundown and a half hour later while driving back, deer are everywhere!! I think their MOST active time year round is early evening, like first 2 hrs after dark. Least acxtive times in 24 hr period appear tobe 10pm and-2am and 10am-2pm. Make sense to me!!

Maybe in July and august, but not now!!

Great question

I have no doubt that is true; backj then, you probably could see a hunter or 2 every square mile of public land evrywhere in the state opening weekend.

Isn’t that mainly southern tier ,though ? Densities in update and eastern aren’t as bad are they ?

Here’s hopin!! Like I said in my inaugural post starting this thread , diversity of opinion abounds and is evident. Some of you guys say that they do go nocturnal , or at least more nocturnal , and don’t need to move around or eat when they’re stressed ; others , in contrast say they still move during the day some and still get up to feed , even while feeling heavily pressured from hunting . I think it’s probably kind of both!! Deer probably hunker down in areas they feel safe more after the the first few days of rifle and go primarily nocturnal and feed much less during the day , saving most of their excursions for after nightfall . However , I’m sure they still will get up and move around a little bit , relive themselves , stretch and eat , but all within or nearby their sanctuary areas - the Kay is to find these areas !! Where are they !!! Lol

Do they really HAVE to eat every few hours though? They may prefer to, but doesnt mean they have to!!

Nice. So about when would they getup and head out to feed again would you say-roughly?

Don’t give up !! I feel the same way but still gonna hang in there a bit longer . Try a different spot for a change and see what happens !!

What do they do during the full moon period then - they still gotta eat!!

Even in the off-season ?

Are you not seeing deer lately ? Last 3x been out , haven’t seen a thing , until driving back to camp ; then , they were in the fields grazin on private property lol.

If we’re votin by mail again they will ALWAYS have a good chance , unfortunately!!

I’ve read tons of articles pertaining to this issue , and they all seem to contradict one another . Basically ,1 group believes that they can and that many do after the opener ; conversely , the opposing camp says no , that can’t because deer need to move and eat every few hours . I tend to believe both sides have baked points and that in reality , deer will stay in or near their bedding areas / sanctuary zones throughout daylight , only getting up to stretch , pee and poop and maybe snack a little bit . But this is all very close , within 100 yds of where they’re bedding maybe . This time of the season, They won’t trek out till right near sunset and will essentially stay out all night roaming and feeding . What do you think ?

So you’re theory is that they stay up longer feeding at night I guess after a full moon and bed down later , like right before sunup and then sleep ina bit , I guess?

Have you had success during that time frame ?

When youre on watch, I believe being in the air is advantageous, but I agree with the mobility factor, too. I like to get down from time to time and do a little still hunting during midday, then climb back up for second watch in the pm.