What is the latest you been in the woods (morning or afternoon) and still had success? I set up at 4:00pm one time and had a small 6 pt run by.

I'm thinking about doing more short distance, late morning / evening hunts after work. I'm thinking of going in at 3 or so in the afternoon.

You're chance of getting a shot is lot better if you're in the woods vs sittin at home...that's the way I always looked at it.
I say go for it. I've arrived at my spot what I would call late and still encounter deer.

I have pulled in for an afternoon hunt at 3 and been done at 3:30. Didn't even make it to my spot.

Helped a buddy of mine plant 16 azalea at his grandmothers, we walked into the woods behind her house afterwards to hunt at about 4. I shot a doe and 5 point by 4:45.

Just a disclaimer, This in no way is how most of my hunting exploits go.


Sometimes the lord blesses you and you just end up in the right spot at the right time.

if i hunt the afternoon 3 is about when i want to be in the woods

I got to my club one afternoon earlier than I thought I would which was right before dark. There was a little green patch by camp in a big bottom and nobody was on it so I snuck down there at like 4:45. There was a 9 point standing in it when I got there and he got to go for a ride in the truck.

I often go 30 mins before dark close to house and killed my best deer in morning before I took kids to school when time gets right I'll hunt first 30 mins of daylight every day but it's not often that I get to sit more than 3 hours at a time so I just go when I can.. but this is with a rifle it makes a difference

I'd much rather be there late then not at all. Way I work it's 3:30 sometimes before I'm up a tree.

I've walked in at 4:45 still in work clothes and killed at 4:55 the last 15- 20 minutes of light seem to be the best time to hunt 80% of the deer I kill are within 30 minutes of sunset or after sunrise

I've seen deer within 5 minutes of sitting down. Just be quiet as possible.