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In the rain

R

rc10pt

Member
Going out tomorrow and Friday both seem to have high rain chances. I haven't bow hunted in the rain before but do you guys have better, worse, or same luck? Any times usually better? Do they move during breaks in rain? Any suggestions/tips appreciated.

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Last year I had one of my best encounters on a rainy morning. Had pretty much just stopped and a doe comes in with a nice 12 point following. This was Nov. 5 tho, so rut had started. I haven't hunted too much in the rain, but have had them walking around near food when hanging stands in light rain. I would expect them to bed in heavy rain, but then move around during breaks or when it stops. Light rain may not have too much effect?
 
Have had great luck in mist and light rain, however I've hunted a few downpours and had terrible luck. I think a light rain helps keep the deer cool, but I don't think they are very active in heavy rain because their sense of smell isn't as good an they can't hear as well either.
 
You also need to consider a blood trail could be washed away in a heavier rain. Then you are left with a grid search :(
 
wapsiguy said:
You also need to consider a blood trail could be washed away in a heavier rain. Then you are left with a grid search :(
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This happened to me last year. Shot a doe early, walked back to the truck to call a buddy and have him help drag. (River bottom, steep hills... yeah im a wussy whatever). Sittin in the truck it started to DOWNPOUR. I figured there wouldnt be much blood left and I was right. Found her about an hour into lookin luckily. But yeah heavy rain will hurt a blood trail for sure.
 
Had my best sit ever last year during a snowy/rainy morning. Had 3 shooters all within 50 yards all in different directions. Ended up not having a shot on any of them. I still replay that morning through my head.
 
I agree with others that very light rain can be excellent hunting. Heavy rain is absolutely terrible EXCEPT during the rut. We learned this first hand last year. Decided to stay in bed because it was raining like crazy I believe it was Nov 11. When I looked out the window of our hunting shack I could see 2 of our shooters chasing a doe out in a cut corn field...less than 50 yards from out stand.
 
AFTER a good hard rain can be really good. During...usually not. Although I rarely use it and I thought it was gimmick at first...a treestand umbrella really helps you stay dry during the rain.

I try to time it so I am out prior to the rain subsiding. A light rain is fine for hunting too.
 
This time of year I'm staying in. Not to beat a dead horse but light rain is ok, heavy rain in early October is pointless in my opinion.
 
Daver said:
AFTER a good hard rain can be really good. During...usually not. Although I rarely use it and I thought it was gimmick at first...a treestand umbrella really helps you stay dry during the rain.

I try to time it so I am out prior to the rain subsiding. A light rain is fine for hunting too.
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I've used a treestand umbrella and it works awesome; it's great for avoiding noisy rain gear and as long as it's not blowing hard you stay pretty dry. The downside is that the deer seemed to notice the huge blob in the tree tops so you need to make sure you're not skylined.
 
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