Rainy Weather

[huntn4life88]

Well of couse when i find some time on the weekened to hunt, and as the rut gets into swing, i sit here at 4:50 am im wondering do i head down to the farm early this morning looking for the buck i saw last night in the light rain? or do i even go all early and just go back tonight? I mean its just got done pouring and thundering here in Urbandale, what are your guys thoughts on hunting in the rain?

I don't want to miss hunting the rut because i have a limited amount of time and i wanna be out trying to get my deer.

thanks,

huntn4life88

 

[Central Iowa]

Take your meds. and go back to bed

. If it lets up hit the timber midday. Lightning and thundering like crazy here.

 

[BW]

The radar does not look good for some of us today.

I also agree that waiting until it stops to go is the ticket. Deer will usually move right after it quits.

I do not suggest hunting in the rain.

You increase the risk of loosing your blood trail if you hit something.

Most deer do not move much in heavier rain because it weakens their security (senses) especially hearing.

It typically is more trouble cleaning up your gear than what it is worth.

I don't like missing a day either, but for me hunting in the rain does not have a good payout.

 

[dunkin140]

but you have to remember......you won't shoot a deer while you're sleeping at home.

 

[muddy]

if it weren't my wife's birthday today i'd be sittin on the stand right now rain or shine. mid day, pre rut, bucks are cruising...perfect time to get that big boy as he slips around looking for does.

 

[kelcher]

It's the worst feeling when you think you made a good shot, but the rain is washing away your blood trail. Wait and go later, it sucks, but I've been on the other side and that sucks worse.

 

[woodlot]

Only sprinkled here this morning for a little while and didn't seem to affect the deer at all. Granted is was only a sprinkle but I'd go nomatter what the weather was like. I agree with muddy 100%.

 

[deadeye]

I have the next couple of days off - work a strange schedule. Anyway hopefully it quits raining. If not I would probably hunt - during this rut you can see anything. I agree that normally they don't move much during a heavy rain or a strong wind. The rain does make for really bad trailing conditions. Good time to sit out and watch, bad time to shoot. If you do shoot - really really make it count. Maybe start tracking very cautiously sooner than normal and be prepared to call friends and go looking blindly for a dead deer. Darned if you do, darned if you don't type deal.

 

[jason]

I went out this after noon, but it was just raining. I saw more deer today than any other time out this year. And today was the first time I've seen a big buck this year. I hunted a few times in the rain last year but it really sucked because I didn't have a rian suit.
In rainy weather do u guys find more deer smell you? It seems today they did and I was wondering if the rain and humidity made a differnce.

jason

 

[Two Beards]

I've always felt it was tougher to fool a deers nose in damp conditions. I believe the moisture in the air allows more scent particles to stick, thus allowing deer to be more efficient at picking up odors. Notice that when a deer is striving to smell something they will often lick their nose.

 

[Liv4Rut]

i was in the same situation you were but i went anyways, ended up being a good weekend saw 21 bucks and only 3 does. sunday morning was my best it was raining and you could see your breath it was awesome, i saw 8 bucks that morning five over 140 a 125 and a booner that walked past at 35 yards and i couldnt get a shot, i ended up passing a 140 class 8 pointer and a 150 class nine pointer, that i know im gonna regret later on!!!

 

[scout]

I hunted Sat morning and afternoon, then again on Sunday morning, then monday morning. Saw a virtually nothing!

As a side note, It was lightening Saturday morning here in Jackson Co. I chose to hunt a bottom stand and sat in the truck for an extra 15 min until most of it passed. Later I found out my brother-in-law was VERY nearly struck crossing an open field. His hat was 10 feet away when he got off the ground!
I to am sick of the rain especially since I found the big buck I've been after lying in the road ditch with the rack cut off! What a week end.

 

[biggest buck]

Scout, just curious on how you know it is "your buck" due to its rack being cut off. How can you tell??? Did it have some distinguishing marks on its body?
Biggest Buck