During the seeking/chasing phase of the rut, it has to be raining buckets for me not to be in my stand! Just yesterday I went to Cabela's and bought a Cabela's/Gortex bib ($150). My regular camo coat/pants are wateproof, but after a few hours the rain would start dripping off the bottom of my coat where it met the pants, and my lower back and my butt would get wet. This is now a thing of the past with the bib. Bring on the moisture!
Me too. Shot a doe 2 years ago in the rain. Found her about 50 yds away in the brush, after searching for about 6 hours. No blood trail to follow. Don't want to take the chance on loosing one.
Recovering a deer shot in the rain is a very real issue. Hunting during a steady rain is bordering on irresponsible. Here's a buck that showed up in the rain. A steady rain. The camera can't focus because of rain droplets. After some thinking, I decide to shoot him. I'm confident I can make a good shot at the 20 yard distance. I aim for his heart. The shot looked right on the mark and the deer takes off running. Because of the ridges I can't see if he goes down. I can only hear the rain and as soon as I shot it turned to a serious downpour. I was worried about the blood trail washing away so I immediately climb down and start trailing. Good thing because the blood is running off the already wet leaves with alarming speed. The buck went 120 yards!! He was dead within seconds but had I waited to trail him, I might have never found him in the rugged terrain. Less than five minutes passed between when I arrowed him and when I hung my tag on him. When I walked back to the stand, the blood was already almost gone. His heart. Which goes to show, even well hit deer can travel a fair distance. Would I shoot another deer in a downpour like that?? Maybe but I'd have to have a lot of things all ideal first. Range, shot angle, etc.. Even then it's risky. I've certainly screwed up shots I was confident about. The last couple of times it's rained like that, I've packed it up.
I really enjoy hunting in the rain I usually see a lot of deer in the rain. After a downpour it can be great with bucks refreshing scrapes.
And that is a great example of a "center punch". Fine shot, Christine. Be careful posting pics like that around here though. We have some very sensitive hunters.
I don't see how anyone that hunts could be sensitive about this, This archery at its finest. Great shot Christine!
My first deer with a bow was a doe. She came out right after a downpour. The sun was shining when I released. It was a heart shot and she went 80 yards before she piled up. So to answer your question- The sun was shining when I got in the stand, I would not hunt in a steady rain, to many things can go wrong, lightning, washed away blood trail, and in the afternoon fading light with rain ect. ect.
I must say.Some of my best hunts were in terrible weather.I didn't fill a tag on these days,but it was exciting none the less. Sideways rain and 25 or better mile an hour winds get the deer moving.it spooks the heck out of them(common sence) I have been able to sneak up on deer in very bad weather.Afraid to shoot(arrow turning and comming back)Buggs Bunny and S**T like that! lol It goes without saying that these are stalking days and not 25 feet or better in a Oak!I'm crazy but not stupid! I won't work in the rain...but I'll hunt and fish in it,OK! on Sunday I'll hide at a job for double time!
Deer movement directly after a heavy rain is too good for me not to be out in it. Rain has never stopped me from hunting. You don't HAVE to shoot if it's not perfect.
This. The woods just seem to explode after a downpour. Plus its fun when you get back to the cabin and everyone is looking at each other laughing at how stupid we all are. Oh, and fighting for the dryer of course.
Definately hunt in the rain............. As long as you know your hunting area, and are very comfortable and confident with your shot placement, there is no reason not to.. If it is a good shot, then count on about 100 yards or less... If you know your property very well, you know the surrounding areas, creeks, ridges, valleys, travel routes, etc........ Then it will be easy to slowly track in that direction should the blood trail become faint or non existant.. I have located all of the deer I have shot in the rain due to good shot placement AND great knowledge of the areas you hunt... I have had this lease for 9 years now, and the deer travel routes have not changed one bit... The same every year.. I hunt a very LONG narrow funnel between open cotton/bean fields..
