When's your best part of the deer season?

[ninepointer]

When I used to only hunt deer with a rifle, the only serious time I spent in the deer woods was 1 or 2 weeks in November, so that's when I saw deer. But since I also started crossbow hunting 6 years ago, a definite pattern has emerged for me.

Most of my sightings of all kinds of deer (bucks, does, fawns) and successful hunts occur from opening day (Oct. 1 around here) to about mid-November. After that, my sightings drop sharply and rarely do I get a deer in the late season. However, on the occasions when I do see deer while hunting the late season, they're usually in groups.

In summary, my "best" times to get my deer are during the early archery season and during my rifle hunt in November. But if I haven't gotten my deer by then, it means the game is going into "over-time". I used to really like the late-season, probably more for the snowy, post-card like setting than for the actual hunting. Now, not so much.

How about you folks; what part of the deer season do you count on for getting antlers on the wall and/or venison in the freezer?

[picasso]

I have to agree that opening day until around mid-November. I don't really like the cold while sitting in a treestand and stalking or moving around is out of the question for me because of different property boundries where I hunt.
I just look for meat in the freezer. Because of where I hunt my options are very limited. Just the same, I would like to get a nice trophy!!!

Picasso

[Peach]

I live in northern Ontario, and although I have had success with a few october hunts, 2nd week of november is typically when the most rut activity happens. That being said, for the past 2 years I have patiently waited for the snow to fly before doing any serious bow hunting. Once we get a few feet of snow on the ground, all bets are off. The past 2 years I have had well over 35 deer within bow range in only 5 or 6 total days of hunting...

So for me, Dec 10 is the magical time.

[vixenmaster]

For me hunting opens sept. 15th & from that day til last day of Nov. Brings more deer sightings than the late cold season. I have saw all 13 of my deer during that time. Not a deer have i saw after the 24th of Nov.

[the elf]

I like being in the bush whenever I can safely get around on the ground on foot.
My body however likes it much better when it is warmer and not so damp.[Arthritis]
in knees and hip.Being an old time duck hunter you learn to grin and bear it.
Since I got my hearing aid a few years ago---I guess the best time is being able to hear again----
the sound a leaf makes as it bounces from branch to branch on it's way to the ground.

[MADMAX2]

The end because then I can rest and work on the honey do list

[SPITFIRE]

WHEN IT OPENS UNTIL IT CLOSES!!!!!

[Stosh]

My best part is when I am putting my tag in the ear.
Stosh

[dutchhunter]

it realy matters were you are hunting .early season deer can be spread out over vast areas .so if you have a place to hunt with crop deer like to eat you will most likely see deer .if on the other hand you have a place were deer yard up when the snow getts deep you can have some great hunting late in the season . most guys are fair weather hunters .but if you know were deer want to be great hunting can be had all season .DUTCH

[xbhntr]

For x-bow hunting, the last week before gun season ( Oct. 25 to 31 the deer are the most active ) . The weathers crisp and a few leaves to hide your profile. Ray.

[crazyfarmer]

the whole season usually produces if you focus on where the deer are

my fav time to be out is Oct 27-Nov 16th

of coarse opening week and the last 2 weeks of season can be good also

[Big John]

Best for me is October, Evenings, and moderate weather temps.

[gerald strine]

In southern Mi on state land the the early oct is good but the best is around the 1st week of nov the bucks are on the prowl covering alot of ground .
This year we had acorns where as last year it was a poor crop ,the 2nd week of oct acorns were falling heavaly out of the trees and the deer were in the oaks very heavy after them.
I hardly see deer during the late muzelloading season on state land here.

[frisky]

For me it has always been the first week in November.

There's no predicting this time period and it is always exciting for me.

X2

[one shot scott]

I can put in the most time before the clock goes back for daylight savings. I love sitting out there till late in the evening. Most deer I harvest are early season. Late season can take alot out of me when its freezing. When Im frozen, the fun gets sucked right out of hunting.