Most hunters dream of fall days for those long weekend sits in the blind or putting a stalk on some game among the rolling hills. This is what it’s all about. But the truth is that’s only the dream. Of those few weekends you can get out you might make one. This is our reality, living for the little time we get to hunt. The rest of the time we have obligations. Work, family, and other events we have to attend that make these all day hunts more of a dream than a reality.
This is why we should embrace the idea of the one-hour hunt. If you treat these short windows we often have after a long day’s work as meaningless, you’ll never have time to hunt, or fill your tag. We should view these last 60 minutes as an opportunity to get out and hunt one of the best times of the day.
In many areas, deer and other game animals become most active in the final hour of light. You don’t necessarily need to hunt all day to tag out. The key is to commit just a fraction of time to the woods to give yourself the best chance of bagging a buck or doe for the freezer. Getting ready well before the one-hour hunt takes place is going to give you the best chance of success and in this blog we’re going to give you a few tips on how to do so.
Build a Vehicle Hunt Kit
Preparation is what separates the successful one-hour hunter from the guy who always says, “I didn’t have time.” You need to build a mobile hunting setup that lives in your vehicle and is always ready to roll. This includes clothing, gear, and a way to get into the woods fast without wasting precious minutes driving home and packing a bag.
Keep a weather appropriate set of camo clothes, boots, and socks in a tote or duffel bag. Include gloves, a face covering, a headlamp, and some scent control products. A compact backpack should have the essentials like a knife, binos, and ammo. Your license/tags should also stay in this bag in a dedicated pouch for quick access. If you bow hunt, keep your release in there so you never forget it. A few comfort items like another layer or some snacks and water bottle will also save you a trip to the gas station or a cold sit.
Store everything neatly so you can change, gear up, and move out in minutes. With your truck acting as your mobile base, there is no excuse to waste time scrambling for gear when that golden hour arrives.
Hunt Close to Home or Work
When you only have one hour, location matters more than almost anything else. The days of hiking a mile into public land or navigating difficult terrain are better saved for the long weekend hunts. You need hunting spots that are close to home, your job, or directly along your commute. Even small properties or overlooked pockets of timber can produce results if you use them wisely.
Scout these spots during the offseason, use trail cameras to learn patterns and confirm movement times. Focus on access points that allow you to slip in quietly with minimal disturbance. Edges of fields, tree lines, and creek beds are great for sneaking in quietly. Think about how wind, thermals, and light affect each approach. You want to get in fast, undetected, and be settled with enough time for game to move naturally.
You don’t necessarily need a treestand or a ground blind to hunt either. Find a tree or a brush pile to set up for some cover. However if you do have the option to set a stand long term, do so. It will make the process of getting out to hunt that much easier.
When time is against you, simplicity wins. Do what makes sense for your setup and drive to give yourself the best possible chance of success.
Have a Plan and Stick to It
One of the biggest mistakes in short hunts is trying to do too much. This is not the time to scout new ground, explore unfamiliar areas, or try a complex setup. This is what we’re trying to get away from in these short hours. Your goal is to get in, hunt hard, and get out. That means you’ve got to plan well before you even head to work for the day. Choose your spot, stick to the plan.
Bonus for When you Arrive Home
After all day at work and a quick hunt, let’s face it, you’re not gonna want to do any sort of cooking when you get home. But you also don’t want to spend money on fast food or a gas station snack on the way home either. A smart way to ensure neither of these events occur is by preparing before you leave for work. You may have guessed it; the crockpot.
Before you leave for work, throw together a meal that can cook low and slow all day long. A super simple option is some venison stew. Combine some cubed venison, potatoes, carrots, beef broth, and any other items you like into the pot. Leave it and forget it till you get home from the hunt. If that recipe doesn’t trip your trigger check out From Field to Plate’s Crock Pot Challenge recipes.
The One-Hour Hunt is What you Make It
The one-hour hunt is a great way to extend your hunting season even when time is tight. With the right mindset, vehicle prep, and nearby access to hunting, you can turn short windows into a meaningful hunt.
You may not have all day to hunt, but you do have a sliver of time to make something big happen. One hour might be all it takes.
