Of all of the aspects of the hunt discussed.... This one almost never is brought up, but in my opinion is the most important. Weather fronts get deer up and moving, I see nearly all of my big bucks with an approaching weather front. In fact, I can only remember seeing one big buck (OUTSIDE OF THE RUT) from stand in the last 5 or so years that was not associated with a front. Post your experiences with your hunting success with how it related or did not relate to a weather front.
I was pondering this lately, I know I learned during turkey season this year that they are affected by the pressure changes and during low pressure were not gobbling - but once the pressure came up they were back to normal. Made me wonder if any of you all log the barometric info in your hunting logs?
I'm a firm believer in this as well. Just a few weeks ago during another tremendous heat spell (days in the mid 90s, nights in the high 70s), a cold front was coming in with a good amount of rain with it. I saw deer on their feet at 4:00 in the afternoon all over, and it was the first time I got a look at a nice piebald 8 that we haven't seen since he was yarded up this winter near my parent's home. Hunting season is the same way. If there's a cold front moving in, or inclement weather (usually go hand in hand), I'll try to be on stand for sure (even though I would most likely be there anyways ).
There's no doubt I think this is an important aspect, but I think its so little discussed because so few people have the flexibility to really pay attention and take advantage of fronts. They are going to hunt (or not hunt) whether a front is coming or not. BUT I know if a front is coming I am going to be much more excited.
I agree, I do not have the option to pick and choose my hunting days. But, great post Buckeye. This is something I was just talking about last night. Here is one weather front that equals deer and big bucks on their feet where I hunt...... Days of overcast skies and high humidity. THEN a weather front comes in that sucks all the humidity out of the air, the temps begin to lower rapidly, the wind picks up, and the day turns into a bluebird day. If this weather front occurs in late October or Early November you better bet I am going to do whatever I can to be in the woods, especially in the afternoon.
Yep, pretty much like Rybo said. I'm gonna hunt no matter what, but if a front is coming in, I get that much more excited. I've killed bucks in most all types of weather, but definately see more movement from bucks and all deer around approaching weather fronts. I especially like hunting on those cloudy dark days with just a light rain or heavy fog. I can guarantee the deer will be moving on those type of days. But with all that being said, I killed my largest buck on an unusually warm day in early January back in 2000. It was so warm I had to get him in a cooler so he wouldn't spoil. So they can be killed at any time, but the weather can definately increase the odds. I know the Drury's always talk about hunting before and after weather fronts.
I understand what you are saying about hunters will be out when ever they can, although they do have the option on where they set up on these days. I get much more aggressive in my setups with an on coming front. It has paid off, so far.
Rain is suppose to be moving in this afternoon. I am heading to one of my spots in an hour to take advantage of it. Should probably be there already !! Tim
100% Agree Scott, weather fronts are not talked about much it seems. I do notice alot more movement before and during these fronts. One thing I have been puting off is quality rain gear, I love hunting in the rain when alot of people are at home, seems the Deer love travling in the rain, just havent had the funds for the good stuff with teens at home. I think the moisture has alot to do with it as well as cold snaps. It helps there sence of smell when its damp outside. We are in a very dry period right now here but are having cold mornings, 49 yesterday The good ole frosty morning right before a nasty front rolls in is one of my favorite times to hunt. I LOVE WEATHER FRONTS Good topic,,,not bad for a buckeye
Personally I do pay attention and It always seems 2 days before the Low comes I see bucks on the move and 1 day before the low arrives the does are up and moving. I don't know why this is but me and my brother always see this happens. Year after Year he will call me and say "The bucks were moving today do you know why?" I say yep and I didnt get out. Then I get out the next day all fired up and see does moving a lot and he tells me I should of been out yesterday instead of today with the front coming tomorrow. I do the same to him all the time also so I remember this very well. The same thing can be true when I am driving to work at night in well known spot for deer in Illinois and ferg and Duke know this area well. 2 nights before im seeing bucks and next night I can drive to work and see the does up and on the move. Now as for killing bucks my history has always been when a nice High is centered over here in the Midwest and like crick said a nice cool or frosty morning. Right now at this stage in my life though time is the biggest issue being I get out when I can with the family duties coming first. (Amen for trail cameras) Scott good topic and I'm going to document more my weather related hunts. Last year I got lazy and didnt document anything concerning my hunts. T Gosh it feels good to get back to what this forum is all about.
"I get much more aggressive in my setups with an on coming front. It has paid off, so far. " Buckeye, can you explain how your set-ups change when you get more aggressive? Thanks.
I would also like to add that the weather fronts seem to not play as much as a roll during the early season. When the food sources seem to diminish it really is more prevalent when it comes to weather fronts that ive seen.
It's never brought up because you believe people don't use weather as a tool or because It's never discussed on here? As for myself weather Is a huge tool In my Inventory. When fronts are approaching I tend to get out to my stands earlier. Much earlier In fact. I've saw It bear hunting, elk hunting, deer hunting. Animals and even people move earlier when fronts are moving In. It's some of my favorite times to hunt. Right before the front hits that Is.
Hunting front side of storm with temperature drop first week of November on scrape line in Kentucky... Good. Hunting day after first snow storm of year in northern Michigan... Bad!
I really can't say why it is hardly brought up, as I do not know. We talk about the moon, scrapes, rubs, rattlin', calling, funnels, water holes, bedding areas, etc etc etc but never weather patterns. It is nothing earth shattering, I will just go into spots that other wise I wouldn't touch.. With fronts you get deer that want to get up and get moving, we also normally get steady wind and rain with these oncoming fronts. This wind and rain does a couple things for me. It covers my noise getting in tight to setup on where I think a big buck may be. Once I am setup the wind also keeps my scent from saturating the area I am hunting. The front gets them moving and the wind and rain help me stay relatively undetected. Sometimes it works out with a nice buck sighting, or even taking one down.
While I admitedly don't have much experience with big bucks, I know that my favorite mornings to hunt are high pressure after a cold front. I always see far more deer on those mornings than any other. I've not noticed much difference in an approaching front, but after....oh yeah.
