Which time of the day to switch stands

[Michael Arnette]

So for all you all day sitters during the rut which hours of the day you guys think is best to miss when switching stands?
I have a dilemma. I'm in a good spot in Kansas have already seen a couple of young bucks. I need to not be late for dinner so I'll need to end my day in NE Oklahoma where rifle season is raging. Sooo should I:

1: stay in stand until 2:00pm, drive to NE oklahoma arriving in stand around 4:00pm (a little late) ending my hunt at dark or around 6:15pm

2: leave my stand around noon, drive to NE oklahoma and hunt a traditional morning and evening sit

[Michael Arnette]

I might add that I am predisposed to take option 1 because I'm my experience during the rut in all phases I see the fewest bucks between both 10:30-12am and 2-3:30 pm. If I had to miss any one point in the day it would be 2:30-3:30pm

[Mike Bolin]

Hard to say as you know your woods. Where I hunt, deer movement is heaviest after 9:00 am and can be steady until mid afternoon. Things slow down from 1:30 until about an hour before dark.
From what you stated above, I would probably take option 1 as well. Whatever option you choose, good luck!

[Friend]

Many variables that could predicate timing for stand change

Would place wind direction as one primary factor.

EX...unfavorable wind at existing stand starting at 10:30

....Favorable wind at new loacation starting at 2:30

Get down prior to 10:30 and enter new location after 2:30

Even if the best time for the given setups for a stand change were to be accurately determined, improper wind directions could completely invalidate the supposition.

[RedShaft]

For me all day sits mean all days sits in the stand I'm in.
If not I would move around the 3:00 time

[TIM B]

Option 1
Here there is a lot of movement between 12 - 2 but then kinda dead till right before dark
Tim B

[Gdpolk]

I seem to see the least movement from 2-4.  That said, in the rut I do still see movement all day long depending on weather conditions.  

I try to plan my rut hunts closer to home and in locations where I see the highest volume of deer.  This gives me the highest likelihood of shooting meat.  I typically hunt the more illusive animals and infrequently used places in the early season and late season.  

I don't care about antlers though; my first priority is a good day in the field and my second priority is a good meal on the plate.  I have several times passed up a buck for a younger doe that would eat a little better.

[Friend]

An all day sit may be may prove quite counterproductive when hunting in undesirable wind conditions.

[Friend]

An all day sit may be may prove quite counterproductive when hunting in undesirable wind conditions.

[YosemiteSam]

Cultures around the world have a siesta around 2:00 -- 3:00ish.  Birds are quieter and less active at that time.  Most deer are probably bedded.  My chickens, my dogs (when I had them), everything that lives "in the moment" takes a rest in the mid afternoon.  Half the time, while at work or hunting, I'll catch some Z's around 2:30 so that I'm rested to tackle the late afternoon & evening.  Seems like a good time to either rest or settle in somewhere new.  On the other hand, you may be among the noisiest thing out at that time so maybe your movement will be more conspicuous.  Could work against you.  It's a risk either way.  Might as well do what you want and let fate decide.

[DarkTimber]

Easy question.   Find out what time you have to be home...subtract the total drive time from that and hunt Kansas until that time.

[Stumpkiller]

I want the three hours after sunrise (and to be in place 45 minutes before) and the three hours before sunset.

But the best time to be hunting is every chance you get.