Whitetail Weather

[Ghost]

How much does the weather affect deer movement?


Based on your observations share how you think temperature, barometer, atmospheric conditions, and wind force affect deer behavior and movement.

I love to be on stand just prior to a good northwest storm front with good cloud cover and a rising barometer. I have noted excellent deer movement under these conditions.

I love to hunt anytime, but certain weather conditions get me pumped.

What are your favorite weather conditions to hunt in?

 

[muddy]

i love when it gets cold and will kill to be in the stand the first time snow flies in the fall. i also like to hunt overcast days as the sun makes shadows and picking out a deer can be more difficult.

 

[River1]

It's been my experience that weather conditions have less of an impact on deer movement during the rut than at other times of the season.


My perfect weather day would be a heavily overcast day with temps only rising to the low 40's. Winds at 5 - 10 mph, any direction as long as they are stable.

I would say winds above 20 mph are my least favorite condition to hunt. I don't let it keep me at home though, especially if it's November. It's always been hard to find those good stand sites for blustery days. They always seem to be swirlers.

 

[rattle them in]

Man why do you guys do this to me?? You are driving me crazy with this cool weather talk and sitting in a tree stand.
Wind,rain,sleet and snow if it is Oct.-Dec I'm hunting deer.
I probably don't pay enough attention to the weather I do pay attention to the wind though. I don't care about the weather when I leave my vehicle in the morning if it is cold I put another jacket in the backpack extra socks etc. etc. During bow season on any given day I could open a Cabela's store with everything in my Blazer.
I carry almost everything because I don't care what the weather is doing because not even mother nature will keep me inside.
I will say this. Even if I don't see a deer the day that is 30-35 degrees and you watch the frost start to burn off as the sun rises and the woods comes alive with each new day and a light breeze forms a little water in your eyes from the chill you know you are an Iowa bowhunter!!

God I love this stuff!! I know it seems like a long ways off being 80 degrees but soon very soon we all will be back out there.

 

[BW]

It seems like there are times it makes a difference and times when not at all. I think the fronts and BP changes effect everything out in the woods. Me included. I get jumpy when I hear thunder.

I like hunting anytime but lightning & rain. I'm so sweet that I would melt

I don't favor wearing my camo shorts when it is in the 70's but I go anyway.

I prefer the cool 40-50 deg days with just a slight steady breeze.

But anytime during the rut will do just fine. I go regardless of the moon phases, barometer, mosquito density, wind conditions, wife saying no

, etc...The only bad days are the ones I can't go.

 

[Shredder]

I love the Late October, early November mornings where the temp is about 25, a northwest wind and 25ft high in a cedar thicket waiting on the deer to filter back into the bedding areas. I also love the snowy days in Late November (when it happens) as the rut is winding down and the hogs are still on the move looking for some tail. I enjoy and cherish everymoment out there but these types of days are what I really look forward to...........

 

[Daver]

When I am taking my son, I like it warm so he can be comfortable and enjoy the time. We even shot a nice one together a couple of years ago when it was quite warm.

When I am really hunting, I like it cold though. I have had real good success hunting right after a hard rain quits. The deer really like to eat the moist browse and will be on their feet whatever time of day the rain quits.

I have also had good success on overcast, light drizzle periods.

Also, nothing like a foggy morning and hearing the deer grunting, chasing and running through the leaves and then come into view at 15 yards!

The more I think about, every weather situation is good for deer hunting!!

 

[Central Iowa]

2 years ago during early muzzleloader season I shot A nice buck after a hail storm. Before the hail there was not a deer inthe field. During the hail the deer poured into the field, and frenzied making it hard to aim. They went nuts. I had over 25 deer in front of me running in circles. The hail stopped the deer disapeared. I waited as the deer filtered back to the field. Shot a nice 140's class buck as they settled down. Great evening hunt after a front. CI

 

[Liv4Rut]

cold overcast days in late october early november are my favorite, and during late season, sunny cold in the single digits is my favorite time to hunt. im getting to excited thinkiing about those kinds of days, less than four months left!!!!!

 

[moosehunter]

late season muzzeloader, 20 deg, with a storm front coming and i'll be in the stand for sure.

 

[Pupster]

Late Muzzleloader , about 1'+ snow on the ground 0 degrees with a light wind and a blizzard forecast for the next day. The deer go nuts putting on the feed bag!!!

Pupster