When is the best time to sit in the fall?

Don't go out too early when it's still light - the animals are just way too cautious then. Fall actually works best in the early morning or late afternoon hours, when the sun's lower and it gets a bit dark. Depends on where you're hunting and what you're trying to sit on - are we talking more deer, wild boar, or something else? And how's the wind situation for you, are you playing that into it?

I'm more the type who's out with the camera, but on the times I've gone along, late afternoon/early evening felt noticeably better to me than the morning hours - there was just more going on and the animals are more relaxed when the light starts to shift. But it also depends on where you're positioned and which part of autumn you're talking about - September and October are pretty different in that regard.

The best time for a stand hunt in autumn is early in the morning between sunrise and about two hours after that, or in the late afternoon starting about two hours before sunset. Are you mainly planning to hunt red deer or wild boar, or are you interested in something else? Depending on that, the best time can shift a bit - with red deer, for example, the rut periods are crucial. How much experience do you already have with stand hunting, or are you just getting started?

The best time to sit in wait during autumn is early in the morning, one or two hours after sunrise, when the animals get active after the night and go out to feed. In the evening it works pretty well too, best around an hour before sunset until dusk. In October and November the game is generally more active because the deer rut is on and the animals are out and about more - that's when it really pays off. Make sure you're accounting for the wind direction and you're well camouflaged, that matters way more than the perfect time of day 😉

The best time to sit in the fall is actually early morning, so about two to three hours after sunrise, or the later afternoon hours just before sunset. Most experienced hunters swear by these times because that's when game is active and out looking for food. In September and October you'll notice this particularly well - the animals are less cautious than in summer and the temperatures are more comfortable for them. Honestly, I'm skeptical about all those moon phase theories you read everywhere, but the time of day definitely has an effect.

It's also important that you consider the conditions on your land. On windless days it works better because the wind won't give away your scent - that's just physics, there's no need to argue about it. When it's raining or foggy, you can try during the day too, but my experience is that a lot of hunters just stay home then and your chances go up. In fall 2026 you'll also quickly notice how the game's habits shift - in September it's still different than in November.

My tip: start early and don't rely just on whatever advice you read on the internet, but observe yourself when things are happening on your land. Every area is different, and you'll quickly figure out where your game hangs out. Give the game time to develop its routines, and then you just sit when it has to come by.

early in the morning between sunrise and maybe two, three hours after that is actually optimal. the deer are active foraging before it gets too warm and you still have good visibility. evenings work pretty well too, like starting two, three hours before sunset until it gets dark, that's when the animals are out again. in fall the timing is generally more important than in summer because the activity window is shorter and the vegetation is denser.