Clear Skies and a bright moon - Where are the deer?

[Palmer]

I've been thinking that with the moon 130,000 miles closer, 30% brighter than normal, and no clouds, the deer must be out from 10 pm to 2 am.  So they are probably out grazing between 10 am - 2 pm instead of the early morning right at sunrise.  Has anyone noticed?  I'm hearing of shots fired between 9 and 10 am. 

A buddy of mine has been workin' an area and has only seen fresh tracks every morning.  He doesn't see a thing all day.  During the summer we saw deer a third of the time we visited this same spot.

I've read an article stating that the 10 am - 2 pm is the most successful time to hunt.  At least the success rate is the highest.  Most hunters get there deer in the first two hours or the last two hours of the day because that's when most hunters are actively hunting.  This is what the article read but I rarely hunt during mid day.  In weather like this I may give it a try.

[Ghost Hunter]

Your on the right track.  Got mine at 10:00 am on a bright sunny day. 

[bearhunter59]

Gee...does tying my tag on my 3x4 yesterday at 11:58:38 count as close to noon as you can get....

I got out and was sitting on a clearcut at 6:00am, and it was 26 degrees, bright, and clear.  Immediately thought the same thing you said....clear sky, full moon, they won't be out till around noon.  But I set there for 2 hrs anyway, and didn't see or hear anything....absolutely anything...it was just crystal, clear, quiet.  So, decided I'd go checkout another ridge and hillside.  Got over there and found a nice place to set up and over look the opening, and soak up some warm sun.  Took me a short power nap, and decided it was time to grab a snack.  I took my water bottle out and got a swig of water...grabbed my leftover piece of barbq chicken and had just put it in my mouth and was starting to take a bite when I looked up, and about choked...this nice 3x4 had walked out in the opening and was walking down the hill away.  I had about a total of 10-15 seconds from the time I saw him, to the time had to shoot before he walked out of site.  One shot with the 160gr boattail at @150yds, and he dropped, got up, ran about 30yds, and dropped again.  I looked at my watch when I finished tying the tag on him, and it said 11:59:38am.  I smiled and snickered to myself, and said "About as close to noon as ya can get!"  Even with a game cart, it took me another 6 hours to get him to the car, but I got him out whole.    I got him up close to the pass, on the westside, so according the the F&G regs/definitions, that classifies him as a blacktail, but he looks alot like a muley to me...I'd post a couple of pics if I knew how....

[Palmer]

Great Story, so it sounds like we're on to something.  Thanks.  I look forward to seeing you pics.  I clicked on browse and then opened the pics off my computer.

[ICEMAN]

Our group of three scored on two muleys this year at 1:30pm, and 11am.

[Skyvalhunter]

The Pass? Are we talking Snoqualmie or Stevens?

[sdwwaverider]

Saw a pig of a Blacktail 3 point on Sunday at 11:50. Unfortunetly he saw me 1st. I aquired him in my scope just as he hit the brush. No shot but great to see. Over the years Myself & the guys I hunt with have taken a lot of deer between 11:00 & 1:00 and witnessed a lot of activity. Though the majority of animals have been taken at last light.