Lately I have been laying off the hunting a little because it has been so windy around here. I hate hunting in windy weather (can't hear, deer not as active right?, and safety). I would rather hunt on a 80F day than hunt on 55F degree day with wind gust of 40-45mph. Am I off my rocker? Am I overplaying the effect of wind on deer movement? Opinions?
I won't go near the mountain land when the wind gets up over 15 mph, BUT I have seen more deer on field edges in the wind than not. My best day of 2008 was in a 40-45 mph storm. Saw 3 shooter bucks, one small 8, a BB and 12 doe. (in 1.5hr)
I hunted yesterday evening. I saw quite a bit of movement. All does and yearlings though. There was also no chasing going on. We have had the same wind conditions that you described. The does seemed to be at ease though feeding and milling around. I found myself a few times holding on to the base of my stand thinking I was going blow off if I didn't hold on tight. It felt like I was on a teater totter. Maybe not the best idea to hunt, but guys will be guys and Wednesday is one of my off days at work. I wasn't going to miss an opportunity to be in the woods.
Hunt from the ground. High wind days are the best for stalking. The wind makes lots of movement and noise to cover you.
Wind? http://www.midwestwhitetail.com/publish/posts/952/why-i-like-the-wind.html Check out this blog by Bill Winke from Midwest Whitetail.com He just posted it this week. Hope this helps.
the part about watching for dead fall in nearby trees is very true i had a huge limb fall about twenty feet from my stand.thank god it didnt fall on me!
