Is it worth it? I don't normally hunt when the wind is over 20 mph or when it's raining. Today and tomorrow it's doing both. I was planning on trying to get a deer on the ground this weekend...but I don't want to further disappoint myself. At the very least I'm gonna go glass fields at last light.
Hunting unfavorable weather
- Thread starter alvawitting
- Start date
I don't bowhunt in the rain (steady/pouring). I also don't bowhunt in winds over 20, but largely because it's not enjoyable to me and there's always something else I could be doing.
Are you going for meat or for your peace of mind? Sometimes the hunt isn't about the deer at all and that is worth it.
Big_Holla
Senior Member
I will bowhunt in a slow steady rain, especially if it is forecasted to end during daylight. Now will I sit and get soaked waiting for it to quit? Probably not these days but I would definitely consider a box blind at least until it looks like it is about to quit. A drizzle I will elect to put up a tree umbrella and wait it out. Some of my best hunts have been right when the rain has quit and deer get up on the move. Wind like you describe I wouldn't be out in unless I have one heck of a sturdy stand or perhaps a box blind waiting for it to slow down.
Personally, it's always a judgement call. It's whatever intel gathered that may possibly improve your odds on busting an animal that may have your interests in mind to harvest. I leave all options on the table, and I have harvested good bucks in unfavorable weather conditions more than once.
One example in freezing raining conditions all day:
One example in freezing raining conditions all day:
Looks like it is opening weekend for antlerless gun season in NY.
If this is something you do every year, go! Gun hunting in the rain is a different ball game than trying to follow a blood trail from a bow. Drop one in her tracks.
I can't help but wonder if you've tried sprinkling out some CBD gummies. Been getting a lot of jibber jabber around these parts about them. Lol
If this is something you do every year, go! Gun hunting in the rain is a different ball game than trying to follow a blood trail from a bow. Drop one in her tracks.
I can't help but wonder if you've tried sprinkling out some CBD gummies. Been getting a lot of jibber jabber around these parts about them. Lol
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I killed a real good buck November 9, 2002. It was in the 70’s, wind blowing 20+ out of the south. I had been awake about 30 straight hours by the time I shot that deer.
November 6, 2007, I killed another good buck with nearly identical conditions, from the same stand. I had been awake way too long on that one too.
In those days, my opportunity to hunt was a little more limited and my desire to kill a “good” deer was way more intense. Under similar conditions last November, with less wind, I went crappie fishing three days in a row and enjoyed some of best fishing I had all year. If I feel like hunting, I’ll hunt regardless of weather. Luckily, for me, the weather is usually in my favor if I feel like hunting these days and I usually stay dry. First day of gun season is the exception... I’ll be there for that if I’m able.
November 6, 2007, I killed another good buck with nearly identical conditions, from the same stand. I had been awake way too long on that one too.
In those days, my opportunity to hunt was a little more limited and my desire to kill a “good” deer was way more intense. Under similar conditions last November, with less wind, I went crappie fishing three days in a row and enjoyed some of best fishing I had all year. If I feel like hunting, I’ll hunt regardless of weather. Luckily, for me, the weather is usually in my favor if I feel like hunting these days and I usually stay dry. First day of gun season is the exception... I’ll be there for that if I’m able.
bigten05
*Supporting Member*
Hunt when you can, I tend to sit out more bad weather now but have had many good hunts in a thunder storm or just after it ends. I did just sit in the pouring rain in Kentucky opening weekend because the Why I was there was to hunt. Everyone else slept in. Sitting in the rain and extreme cold is good for the soul.
I've had some of my best sits after a good rain event and during a slow all day drizzle. If it feels right, go.
Mickey Merrie
Junior Member
Only hunt blue bird days with a red moon!
That way you won't bump the deer I'm trying to let the air out of. In 50ish years of hunting you come to realize that the seasons are short, the wait is long and the deer don't really care about the weather as much as we do. If it is too bad for them to come to me, I go to them and guess what? They aren't used to being hunted in bad weather so they are easier to kill. I only stay out of the woods when there is lightening or wind so hard trees are coming down. But that came from experience too!
That way you won't bump the deer I'm trying to let the air out of. In 50ish years of hunting you come to realize that the seasons are short, the wait is long and the deer don't really care about the weather as much as we do. If it is too bad for them to come to me, I go to them and guess what? They aren't used to being hunted in bad weather so they are easier to kill. I only stay out of the woods when there is lightening or wind so hard trees are coming down. But that came from experience too!
How does hunting high pressure days under a red moon prevent you from bumping deer? I'm intrigued. Also, if you're only hunting those bluebird days, how are you hunting them in bad weather when they don't come to you? You lost me..
Mickey Merrie
Junior Member
LOL I'm making fun of the folks who only hunt based upon "expert advice" I don't want them in my woods on bad days to mess up my good hunts, thus I encourage them to only hunt certain perfect days!
Just being sarcastic, thanks for the chance to make things clear as mud!
Carry on, sir.
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If I find myself in the mood to hunt on a rainy, nasty day, I do tend to go sneaking up on them. Now I fully expect most to shake their heads, maybe even call BS at the thought of a fat, arthritis infested dude walking up on deer, even within spearing range, but I do it often. Doc Fface will gladly share a story with you about that I’m sure. Lol. He was a doubter too.
Mickey Merrie
Junior Member
I'm older and fatter than you and I pull it off all the time too! 63 (today) 5'11" 275 and I move real slow in the woods. I swear I saw a bedded buck do a double take a couple years ago...right before I gave him lead poisoning where he laid.
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Yeh Happy Birthday... I'm older than you... LOL I hunt for the sole purpose of enjoyment... Getting soaking wet is not what I call enjoyment... So I'll stay home in the rain or wind... But I guess according to the experts if it's a Red Moon the deer will be moving even if it's a hurricane with 100 mph winds and sheets of rain comming down...