slug hunts

A simple question, folks, but could be important!
Does it matter what time you go out to do your hunt? I went out last night at 10 and found over a dozen huge beasties but in previous hunts a couple of weeks ago we got loads at 11/12 o'clock. I watered the garden really well in the evening to get the b*****s out.
It could be that I've decimated the huge slugs already and I know the chickens eat the small ones. I've got very little slug damage now but want to prevent breeding and protect the winter greens!!!
Sometimes I'm just too knackered to do a later hunt!!!