Stallone A. Report post Posted November 28, 2010 Hello, I have a December tag and was wondering if anybody had any suggestions on when I should go. I only have a 5 day window of opertunity to take off of work. My hunt Starts Dec 10 and ends Dec 31. I wanted to go the week of the 18-22 but it seems to me that there will be a full moon on those dates. Would I be better off going Dec 26-31 instead? Any info will help. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neariz Report post Posted November 28, 2010 The general rule is the later the better if you are wanting to take advantage of buck chasing does. I'd recommend the last five days of the year if you can. Since the December hunts are in units with good populations, just as important is your scouting..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TAM Report post Posted November 28, 2010 If it was me I would go over the weekend of December 10-12, then again over the weekend of December 17-19, and finally I would take the five days off work and hunt December 26-31. Good luck and be sure and post some pictures!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted November 28, 2010 If it was me I would go over the weekend of December 10-12, then again over the weekend of December 17-19, and finally I would take the five days off work and hunt December 26-31. Good luck and be sure and post some pictures!!! +1 the later the better usually, but if you can go during the weekends too, why not do that along with the last 5 days. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pwrguy Report post Posted November 28, 2010 Later the better usually!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted November 28, 2010 Later the better usually!!! as far as I'm concerned any and all the time in the field can be rewarding , the more time out there the better your chances especilly if you've done your "homework" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Simple Hunter Report post Posted November 28, 2010 I had the same predicament as you in Dec 08. I made the wrong choice. I hunted the week before Christmas and wish I would've waited for the following reasons: 1)The weather was warm in Dec 08 and didn't cool down until Christmas - in fact I didn't see any rutting activity until the 23rd. All my friends who hunted after Christmas saw rutting every day. 2)Too much spousal pressure for you to end your hunt and get home with the family. Case in point I ended up settling for a much smaller buck than I wanted after waiting 6 years to draw the tag. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
308Nut Report post Posted November 28, 2010 Find a more flexible boss. It takes days to find another boss. Years to draw a late CWT tag. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted November 28, 2010 I had the same predicament as you in Dec 08. I made the wrong choice. I hunted the week before Christmas and wish I would've waited for the following reasons: 1)The weather was warm in Dec 08 and didn't cool down until Christmas - in fact I didn't see any rutting activity until the 23rd. All my friends who hunted after Christmas saw rutting every day. 2)Too much spousal pressure for you to end your hunt and get home with the family. Case in point I ended up settling for a much smaller buck than I wanted after waiting 6 years to draw the tag. Turn off the cell phone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cpugsie Report post Posted November 29, 2010 Last 5 days if the rut is what you're looking for!!! First 5 days if you all ready have done your homework and have one scouted out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
200"mulie Report post Posted November 29, 2010 well usually later the better. but since it has been a tad colder than average around se AZ. i would go early but that is just me. i would think they would be starting to show up with doe's. Good luck i'll be out there with my bow!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Browning'sCustomMeat Report post Posted November 29, 2010 Last 5 days for sure....Good Luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SunDevil Report post Posted November 29, 2010 is your work calendar flexible? if so, keep an eye on the weather report. you might plan to take certain days off only to end up with rain and wind, and then you are stuck with no more time off. you run the same risk waiting until the last week of the hunt, you might get some crappy weather and then your hunt is over. personally, I would be out there opening weekend. maybe take the thursday before off as well. you might find one for the next day. some people are pretty religious about the moon phase but I think it is more important to understand how the moon phase effects the deer. I think people did better this year on the Oct hunts than the first Nov hunts and the Oct hunt had a full moon. typically with a full moon, the deer will bed earlier in the morning but will be up earlier in the afternoon. if you have good weather, deer should be active on and off during the day regardless of moon phase. IMO, due to the thanksgiving hunt, dec hunts are not what they use to be. good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joeybari Report post Posted December 1, 2010 Last 5 days Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stallone A. Report post Posted December 1, 2010 Thanks everybody, I have taken the last 5 days off from work. That makes it a 7 day hunt, I would love to go opening morning but I don't know if I can take off of work. Lets see how the boss is feeling... Thanks for all the post, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
