Thread: Glassing - how long?

Arvo all, just looking for some advice.
I hunt mainly first/last light and then use the middle of the day to scope out new hunting ground - thinking that anything found during that time is merely a bonus.
Evening I find my spot early, about an hour or so before that magic last 30-45mins of light. Evenings I'll sit for about 1.5-2hrs on a spot until dark.

Morning I get into my spots before first light, and then if nothing seen within about 20-30mins I start pushing to further less productive clearings on the off chance I see something.
I'm not that successful in the mornings, and I'm starting to wonder if I'm not glassing for long enough.
How soon after sun up do you guys move off your 'spot' ?

I seem to do ok over summer, but not so much winter. And the last 3-4 trips of armed tramping are starting to play with my head

I have been to a heavily hunted LR area and been there 2 hours after daylight and seen animals....depends where you are hunting, tome of year, what feed is around etc....but i would say give it a good 1 to 2 hours

Winter time,deer don't move much.they can be plurry hard to find.they will be in sunlight...no one likes the cold.

I am not sure what area you are hunting Tararuas ?? learn your feed species combine that with warmer areas i.e North facing and give it 1-2 hours as HNTMAD said - Summer Winter deer likely in different areas- summer could be a lot lower to capitalise on spring growth - winter higher to get the sun as valley bottoms cold and frosty - Tararua will have a belt just below tussock containing coprosmas five finger pate fuchsia and possible broad leaf glass that

Quite normal for us to bino 8hrs each in a morning for Sika then the same amount in the afternoon in summer, winter we bino all day

ill look from one spot may move 3-5m to get a different angle/view repeat if its an area where ive picked up critters before . once i get to a new area lots of looking not much moving especially this time of year.

Thanks all - few things to take into consideration. I think I'm hunting too low (stay in same spots summer/winter) and as I suspected 20-30mins is not enough. I guess I get a bit agitated about getting to next option if I don't see any on day break. Obviously not a issue the other end of the day as lights out retires you for the evening.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

I am not sure what area you are hunting Tararuas ?? learn your feed species combine that with warmer areas i.e North facing and give it 1-2 hours as HNTMAD said - Summer Winter deer likely in different areas- summer could be a lot lower to capitalise on spring growth - winter higher to get the sun as valley bottoms cold and frosty - Tararua will have a belt just below tussock containing coprosmas five finger pate fuchsia and possible broad leaf glass that

this is spot on . dont get to excited re 1st light i shoot a lot of deer between 9am and 2 then depending on where i am i might have a snooze, then hunt last light . if im bush hobbiting i often dont start hunting till 20mins past light so i can see. hate the woof smash smash that you can get in the half light in the scrub

Originally Posted by IamHackmeat

this is spot on . dont get to excited re 1st light i shoot a lot of deer between 9am and 2 then depending on where i am i might have a snooze, then hunt last light . if im bush hobbiting i often dont start hunting till 20mins past light so i can see. hate the woof smash smash that you can get in the half light in the scrub

It took me a few years to work out you dont have to be in the bush hobbiting on first light....most shot between 9 and 2 as you say...if you know where they feed and sleep no stress....sleep ins are gold

yup sleep ins are in short supply in my house.

Definitely give it a solid hour before moving on,and more if you know there consistently coming out on that clearing.

If i know the area is well used I'll happily stay around for 2 hours or so