Curious to see what people feel about hunting in the rain. It is drizzling out here in Iowa. I can't be out, but want to know if people have had success. I figure being out is better than sitting inside. Can't shoot something if you aren't out. Big downside would be tracking. My dad went out today to sit at 11. I personally wouldn't have went out at that time with rain, but I might be wrong in my thinking. Any good or bad experiences hunting in the rain?
Light rain? Heck yeah! Heavy rain bowhunting? I avoid that only bc I'm afraid I'll lose a blood trail.
My dad has this thing with rain that he has shot some of his biggest bucks during rain storms that he decides to go out in. I don't know if it has anything to do with their movement, maybe somewhat like when you go fishing just before a storm front has come through fish seem to be more active. I wonder if the same holds true for deer.
Only in light rain, Shot a buck last year at the end of gun season in a lite drizzle ended up being a down pour after I got my Dad to help track him, did a grid search in planted pines and found him glad he didn't go far.
I've hunted in rain twice this year already. I don't mind it, but as people mentioned, I won't even go out if it is anything more than a drizzle -- not worth the trouble in the case of tracking a wounded animal.
A light misty rain is awesome. A horrendous constant downpour like the nor'easter I was foolish enough to go out in last week and almost put myself in a life threating situation is just that, foolish. It was supposed to stop with about an hour of light being left but that didn't happen. Some of the best hunting happens right after a prolonged period of steady rain.
my dad shot the biggest buck he has in a steady rain. If its a down poor or a thunder strom no but yea just a good rain ill be out there
I went out in the rain tonight and had a 15 yd shot at a nice little 8 pointer maybe 120" ... let him grow a little more. When raining I like to hunt on the ground under big trees or ceders for a little more protection ... not with lightning in the area though.
I also have hit a few during the rain but like others have said you better make sure it is a good shot so you dont have the deer run way off. Blood trails would not be good. I also will say this, after a rain storm for shed hunting I have had my best luck too. I am not sure if it is because the deer shake the water off or if it is that rain makes the flesh soft and falls off easier but I hit the woods ever time after a rain for shed season.
Yeah my dad has shot some huge bucks in the rain. I always seem to see a lot of deer moving during snow storms too. I know you are talking about archery but plenty of guys here gun hunt... If its pouring out, best shot and probably one of the deadliest with a gun is right through the shoulders. You can waste some meat doing this but if you bust out his shoulders, you will get lung, heart, and he wont run anywhere without his legs. I only bow hunt if its a drizzle or if the rain is going to stop soon. Very easy to loose a bloodtrail in the rain and it gets me kind of paranoid sometimes. I do LOVE my tree stand umbrella though. Thought it was ridiculous at first but I wouldnt be without one now.
I generally don't. If I'm already out hunting and it starts to drizzle I will stay but *rain*, Nope. Call me a wuss but I can't sit there and get soaked.
stay home if more than a light drizzle, you get wet, get chill, get sick, then cant hunt when its gets nice
All the best deer movement in the world isn't going to do you any good if you can't trail one. Even if you limit yourself to "sure things" (Which I contend EVERY shot taken with archery equipment should be a "sure thing") you run the risk of some thing going wrong and you resorting to a grid search to find your deer. If you are willing to gamble on a lost trophy, hunt in the rain. If not then find someother way to pass the time.
Buy rain gear and you won't have that problem. Depends on the rain, how I feel, and if I knew about it (I live 2hrs from where I hunt). I'm debating on whether to go hunting tomorrow, rain and cold front hitting. was 75 today, might stay in 40s tomorrow.
