A front is coming through during the hunting season with at least 15 - 20 mph winds. Do you hunt that day? If so, how and why.
Where I hunt that's a normal day wind speed wise. I hunt until the tree is swaying too much to be able to get off a good shot. When you have to lead the deer when he's standing still, its too windy!
15-20mph winds I will hunt. Some of the biggest bucks Ive seen were in 20mph winds during mid day. Find a solid tree.
If my tree doesn't appear that it will blow over, I'll still hunt. 15-20, is pretty typical here. My tree stand is not far up, so I feel it doesn't effect me too much. I have passed up a few days last season because we were having gusts 50+MPH.
15-20 is my limit. I don't mind the tree moving and I don't shoot far so it doesn't have much effect.
Okay. What do you consider too windy to be in a tree? If it reaches that point, are you calling it a day or using other methods?
If it is too windy (Probably around 30+) I will just call it a day. If it is rainy and windy - I will also call it a day.
These are great days too be more aggressive from the ground. Standing cornfields are often large bedding areas that can be broken down to areas to look for bedded deer. Weedy areas within the field, isolated trees (especially a white oak that is dropping acorns :p ), etc... It is a time where the senses of deer can be very effected by the higher winds thus giving us hunters a little bit of an advantage! Yeah, I am not a big fan of swaying back and forth in a tree during high winds like most of you.
Those are very normal winds for us. I know what trees are sturdy enough and which ones aren't. I also have some ground blinds and man made platforms made for bowhunting(no top or windows). Because brisk winds are common to us, I don't use a stabilizer (catches more wind resistance than you realize) and never shoot with an attached quiver.
The wind has no effect on me going hunting, but once I get in the stand and pull back my bow I will make the choice to hunt or watch. If I cant keep my bow stabile at full draw then I will just observe deer for the night.
Over 20mph I don't hunt. The deer on my farm just don't move. I use the day to hang with the family, check cameras or hang a stand.
Killed this buck on a day with 20-25 mph winds and gusts up to 30-35, was actually about to climb down when I caught a glimpse of white tail so I stayed put.
Deer here don't move much with wind blowing. They tend to get low and bed down. After the wind stops though they are up and at it. Always have luck in the late evening when the wind dies down after a blustery day.
Depends what and where I'm hunting. I don't typically see much movement in winds over 20 but up to 20 is fine. I like to stalk into the wind in the right terrain particularly for mule deer, antelope and elk.
I see a lot of deer move into open areas with high winds as there is too much movement and noise in the woods so it kinda overloads there senses
I have sat during 2 hurricaines and saw the biggest buck I've ever seen during one (out of bow range). Had a doe sneak up on me during the other but i couldn't get a draw. Days with 25-35 susained winds, steady but diminishing rain.
Ive got a stand specifically for days that are "to windy to hunt" its a big ravine that leads into about a 2 acre bottom. Good rut spot and windy day spot, i just like to think that I'm right in my theory that they go there to get out of the wind haha but who knows!
