This weather sucks right now. I have several days off at the end of this week and a couple next week specifically for the rut and the weather is supposed to be warm and rainy everyday until like next Thursday here in central Ohio. How do you guys go about hunting in the rain? Ive always tried to avoid it in case of losing a blood trail but i don't have a choice because I've had these vacation days planned.
I'm right there with ya man. Do your best to hunt between rains and keep shots well inside your comfort zone. And I always try to have at least one bud lined up ahead of time to help track, especially in for the evening hunt.
I'm getting ready to head out now and get a little damp. :thumbsup:
For recently wet or light drizzle I put a bread-bag inside my polarfleece fletch cover hood and then find a hemlock to curl up under.
If it is really pouring I slap the alarm clock and go back to sleep.
You can try using a pop-up blind. It's best to have it up early so the deer get use to it. I have used them before in standing corn with good success.
Blood trials and heavy rain aren't a good combination. But I have always liked hunting in a drizzle. It seems to keep things moving a bit more. I remember years ago I had a stand up on a logging road with some really good sign. The only time I seen deer there was when it rained.
Just got back from Ohio. Weather was not good (warm and rainy). I waterproof my feathers and had practiced with them matted down so that is not an issue. I have only shot a few deer in true rain (not a drizzle) and did not have much trouble finding blood during daylight. For me, nighttime was a little more difficult due to the glare.
Good luck
Thanks for the encouragement boys. Good luck as well!
Heading up to hunt SE Ohio next Wed-Mon. Hoping to miss the rain, but we will do what we have to do! Good luck guys!
Good Luck, I suck it up in those situations and make the best of it. Often I will layer well and wear wool on the outside. It repels water and isn't loud. You said it will be warm, so maybe wool will not be an option.
I have seen good deer movement in rain before, However I have never shot one or blood trailed in the rain.
My advice I guess is to make good shots on game, but you already knew that lol
Weather forecast is about the same here; if I think there is a chance a blood trail would be in danger I don't go out.
QuoteOriginally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
I have seen good deer movement in rain before, However I have never shot one or blood trailed in the rain.
My advice I guess is to make good shots on game, but you already knew that lol
Some of my best whitetail hunting experiences were during a period of light rain. Stalking was non-crunchy (stealthy) The downside was the probability of no blood trail...bad news always!
As I got older, I just quit hunting in the rain, but back in the day, I would stay out in some pretty bad stuff. In the warm early season, I didn't worry about wet as long as I didn't get chilled. So, any quiet rain clothing was sufficient. Yeah, I never was real bright, so sitting in the rain felt fairly normal. Perseverance is key.
However, the one thing that was crucial was protection of the fletching. Coating the feathers with a water repellant treatment as well as keeping extra arrows covered is good. Still, a certain level of precipitation makes even gung ho deer take cover. Likewise, the wise hunter knows when it is just too stormy to be out.