How windy is too windy?

Lately it seems like every time I get into the stand, the wind is whipping and my tree is swaying back and forth. But just like everyone says "you can't kill them from the couch", I have been seeing deer but not very often and they are nervous as hell. Now I know that there is a difference between it being windy and downright unsafe. I just wanted to hear what people have to say about hunting in the wind and what speed is just right or too fast. Thanks, BTW its November so get after it. Hahahaha

 

I hunted last year in the winds that the hurricane affected in the midwest (45mph) and saw a 6 ptr grunting and chasing a doe, and the biggest 10 ptr I've seen in my life. It doesn't matter to them, but them being downwind of you matters.

 

Good question. I was just watching a video from Bill Winke of MidwestWhitetail.com about this. I believe, if I can remember right, he prefers hunting with a good wind, somewhere between 8-20 mph. Over that I don't know how much they will be moving.

It's rare for me to get strong winds but I like some wind over calm conditions as it helps me get in undetected and I know exactly where my scent is going.

 

I believe the answer is dependent on foliage. In my observations deer don't move when conditions limit two of their senses. When foliage is on wind limits sight and hearing. Without leaves high wind only limits hearing. That's been my observation. During these times predators seem to be on the prowl, wonder if they feel they have the upper hand.

 

I know deer move in the wind but it definitely isn't as easy or fun when the wind is blowing you around like a price of grass in a field. Plus it makes it very hard for your body to regulate its temperature and stay warm. Being cold to the point of numbness is never fun and I don't care if the only thing exposed is your eyes. They still are gonna burn like crazy if it's cold out. Wind can be your friend but too much can ruin your day.

 

Like....Never.

 

Gusts of 20 mph are pretty darn high. On cold days the same wind that makes you freeze your butt off affects the deer. The deer will bed in the brush and the shelter of protected slopes. If your getting the heck beat out of yourself by the wind in an ambush stand, it makes sense to play the wind and go after day bed locations.

 

I killed a buck one time in 20+ mph winds. He was chasing a doe grunting, I double lunged him. Over the years I don't hunt with winds like that much anymore, or if I do...I'm on the ground sneaking around. No fun freezing and getting seasick 20ft up.

 

When I can't aim and shoot accurately because the tree is moving too much. I always keep one windy stand in a bigger tree that the wind doesn't blow around so much. I have never seen it adversely affect the deer.

 

It depends on many factors what is your set up? I personally shoot extremely light arrows so i dont shoot over 25 yards in a 15+ MPH wind. I do love huntin in the wind tho because i can move and make more noise with out being detected.

 

When you can't stay in the tree!!!!

 

Lets see,according to the weather its blowing 17-27 right now. That's to windy I found out this morning. If a did get a shot I don't know if I could have made a good hit with the way the tree was moving around so I decided it wasn't worth risking making a bad shot. I drew back,picked out a leaf on the ground at about 20 yards and I was all over. I left.

 

It was blowing hard here this afternoon... I just got home and saw 5 deer. I passed on a big doe with two yearlings at 20 yards.