Hunting while working night shift.

[Gawoodsman]

Hey guys, I’ve recently taken a night shift position 8:00pm-6:00am sun-wed and I’m worried my hunts will be all out of whack. Wondering if anyone here has worked graveyard shifts and how you worked out your hunting schedule. I’m thinking along the lines of going straight after work hunt a few hours, sleep a few hours then do another evening hunt but I’m not sure how my body will handle it. Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

[bigmike23]

Only your body can know. I work a 3 on 3 off schedule, where its 6 weeks of days, then 6 weeks of nights. 5:45 to 6. I enjoy the nights during hunting season, as my first day off I get home at 6, sleep for 5-6 hrs then get in the woods by 1-2. Get another 2 full days of hunting, Then another morning of hunting be at work late afternoon. You may have trouble falling asleep in the tree lol.

 

[Camelcluch]

Graves was an awesome shift for hunting. I would hunt every morning then sleep. I also don’t sleep so many days I would only sleep for a few hours then hunt the evening. Plus, during the week it’s a lot less busy on the public grounds.

 

[Gawoodsman]

Thanks for the insight, I do like the idea of sleeping mornings and hunting evenings. I hunt both public and private so I’m really excited about getting to my spot maybe Thursday and Friday mornings when most ppl are at work as well.

 

[Tim0712]

I’ve never worked a graveyard shift closest I’ve been is working days on end when it snows. However, if I did work overnights I would be an absolute zombie for 4 months a year.

 

[Loopwing]

How old are you? That will make a difference! I worked the 11-7 shift in my late 20's and it threw my whole system out of whack. I did the hunting and fishing thing right after work. I did well, but I fell asleep in the stand almost every day. I am 46 now and did a month of overnights about a year ago, DUDE it was not hunting season, but there is no way I could have even made it into the woods. I was falling asleep on the way home. Good luck!!! I like the idea of hunting the evenings, how will work take it if you have to track a deer into the night?

 

[DroptineKrazy]

When I was younger(much younger) I used to work a rotating shift schedule. 7 to 3 one week then 11 to 7 the next week and then finally 3 to 11 the following week then back to the first shift. I preferred the 11 to 7 shift during hunting season but was always a zombie at work because I slept very little. It would kill me now so yeah, how old did you say you are? lol.

 

[Jmarzey]

I definitely like it more. Weekdays off on public are the ticket. The only bad thing is when you’re stubborn and want to hunt that first morning off. That walk out will have you in another dimension wondering how you even got to the truck lol


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[Gawoodsman]

How old are you? That will make a difference! I worked the 11-7 shift in my late 20's and it threw my whole system out of whack. I did the hunting and fishing thing right after work. I did well, but I fell asleep in the stand almost every day. I am 46 now and did a month of overnights about a year ago, DUDE it was not hunting season, but there is no way I could have even made it into the woods. I was falling asleep on the way home. Good luck!!! I like the idea of hunting the evenings, how will work take it if you have to track a deer into the night?

You bring up a great point about tracking a deer into the night, I hadn’t considered that. That changes things. I’m 52 but am pretty much a night owl, I’m good up until I get in the bed but while I’m out and about I just keep going. Truthfully I’ll probably fall asleep in the jx3 I’m using this season, especially with the head rest attachment.

 

[Gawoodsman]

Ye

When I was younger(much younger) I used to work a rotating shift schedule. 7 to 3 one week then 11 to 7 the next week and then finally 3 to 11 the following week then back to the first shift. I preferred the 11 to 7 shift during hunting season but was always a zombie at work because I slept very little. It would kill me now so yeah, how old did you say you are? lol.

I’ve had those swing shifts and hated them, had 10 days of each shift , like you said I was perpetually tired as just when my body got used to the hours they would change again.

 

[Gawoodsman]

I definitely like it more. Weekdays off on public are the ticket. The only bad thing is when you’re stubborn and want to hunt that first morning off. That walk out will have you in another dimension wondering how you even got to the truck lol


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A couple days ago I did a dry run, intended to scout my lease after work but when I got there decided to forego it as I was wearing shorts, eh, not going into the woods in shorts. But I stayed up there talking to the land owner a couple hours before driving home. Needless to say when I finally got home , fed the animals ate a bite , I was done. Bed by 11-12 up by 5-6. I do feel it catching up. maybe I should take up coyote hunting at night lol

 

[DroptineKrazy]

Or deer huntin at night if your that type of fella! Jk of course

 

[Jmarzey]

A couple days ago I did a dry run, intended to scout my lease after work but when I got there decided to forego it as I was wearing shorts, eh, not going into the woods in shorts. But I stayed up there talking to the land owner a couple hours before driving home. Needless to say when I finally got home , fed the animals ate a bite , I was done. Bed by 11-12 up by 5-6. I do feel it catching up. maybe I should take up coyote hunting at night lol

I have been on day shift for an entire year now, after being put on a specialized unit. I used to love night shift with all my heart, but I know going back may quite literally kill me hahaha

 

[dalton916]

I was gonna ask if you’re married, but you said you’re 52 so that don’t matter, lol.

I worked a 12 hour night shift, 1800-0600 M-Tu, F-Su, one week then W-Th the next week. It was incredible for hunting. Especially turkey hunting where I didn’t have to worry about scent. I hunted every single day of the SC season and most of the GA season when I worked that shift. Often times I would never even go home except during spring break since my wife was a school teacher.

For deer hunting it wasn’t quite as ideal because of the need to shower.

Working at night can be a blessing in disguise once the weather cools in regards to tracking deer at night. If you tracking into work time you probably made a marginal shot and work obligations will force you to give the deer the time it needs.

 

[Gawoodsman]

I was gonna ask if you’re married, but you said you’re 52 so that don’t matter, lol.

I worked a 12 hour night shift, 1800-0600 M-Tu, F-Su, one week then W-Th the next week. It was incredible for hunting. Especially turkey hunting where I didn’t have to worry about scent. I hunted every single day of the SC season and most of the GA season when I worked that shift. Often times I would never even go home except during spring break since my wife was a school teacher.

For deer hunting it wasn’t quite as ideal because of the need to shower.

Working at night can be a blessing in disguise once the weather cools in regards to tracking deer at night. If you tracking into work time you probably made a marginal shot and work obligations will force you to give the deer the time it needs.

“Blessing in disguise” I was thinking the same thing a few nights ago. I have a WMA halfway between work and home, actually about 10 minutes from my house that I pass every day. That’s where I’ll be heading today / tomorrow morning after work to get it some more scouting. And yes I’m married but yeah, she knows season is almost here so I’m pretty much a ghost.

 

[Iron_llama]

Kinda depends on drive time from work to hunt, and if your scent control process requires you to shower before you hit the field. But morning hunts are absolutely a possibility. Morning hunt, siesta in a hammock, afternoon hunt, back to work, might even be plausible for you.