Rain or no rain for hunting?

hunter33 · October 3, 2007, 08:27 PM

Is rain good for hunting or not does it effect the different animals your hunting in different ways?

SavageSniper · October 3, 2007, 08:50 PM

I have found that it helps. Well, a light rain anyway or just after a moderate to heavy rain. It seems to me that the grass/plant foragers like deer and rabbits like the light rain and afterwards better. Maybe makes the grass fresher, crisper? I also like it because it makes my movements quieter.

wolverine350 · October 3, 2007, 09:12 PM

a light rain and overcast seem to keep the deer on the move

Full-choke · October 3, 2007, 09:19 PM

On a game factor, I find right after a nice rain is nice. I like to go sit in a bean field right after a storm comes through, all the little groundhogs come up and about to feast when it settles. Deer on the other hand, it is always too dang cold in OH to rain when it is season.

I like to hunt during a good rain just because I find it refreshing and fun. I will be out in the middle of a storm getting a good spot so I can have fun afterwards. But, that is just me and I'm a little weird anyways.

F-C

crowbeaner · October 3, 2007, 09:29 PM

I like a light rain if it isn't TOO cold out; the noise helps me sneak through the woods because it masks my shuffle. The deer don't have a lean-to to get under, so I look for them in the low pines or somewhere they can stay a little dry. The water helps keep the leaf crunching down too. Wet sticks don't make such a snap, and the noise of the rain hitting your coat can be ameliorated by wearing hush fabrics. I hate to get my gun wet, but that goes with the territory. I really prefer a light snow as it takes longer to get wet, and the flakes make it harder for the deer to spot movement. Just my humble observations after 35 years of making mistakes that keep the big boys alive. Enjoy. CB.

roy reali · October 3, 2007, 11:01 PM

Rain, what's that?

NRA4life · October 4, 2007, 11:40 AM

I would pay God a hansome dollar to give us some rain (or snow even better) for the Eastern WA deer season once in awhile. It's been so dry the last umpteen years that deer hunting has become impossible. I like it damp and overcast. Seems to be the ideal conditions for some reason.

kayakersteve · October 4, 2007, 11:42 AM

Rain not only is ok, but it is to our advantage as noisy, stinky human beings - It dampens sounds, keeps odors down and the ground is moist and less noisy to walk on - So if you have a choice, a light rain can drastically improve your chances of a score. Remember to dress for it though - It sucks to be wet and cold!

Fremmer · October 4, 2007, 12:09 PM

I'll take the rain. The deer will move when the rain breaks. And it is easier to stalk after it rains.

Scorch · October 4, 2007, 12:42 PM

Right before a rain or right after is always a good time to be out in the field for deer.

Wild Bill Bucks · October 4, 2007, 01:15 PM

I think Rain is probably the best thing that can happen after I get to my stand. It washes your scent out from where you walk to your stand.

From coon hunting with dogs, I have found that once it starts to rain, it gets very hard for a dog to pick up a trail, and if it rains hard or for very long, you might as well go home.

By washing out the human scent it seems to make deer move better if there are very many hunters in the area. Most hunters will pack up and go to the house, leaving the die hards like me, sitting in there stands with no trace of human scent in the area.

Mannlicher · October 4, 2007, 03:42 PM

I have had good results hunting in a light rain. It masks your footfall, and scent. A driving rain is a different thing though, and tends to put the deer into their bedding area.

Charles S · October 4, 2007, 04:00 PM

Light rain is nice and I have had really good success. OTH I really have being on the stand in a downpour.

BIGR · October 6, 2007, 09:31 PM

I like a light rain. After it stops it seems like the deer start moving. I once sat all day in rain, sleet and snow and took a buck that evening at 5PM, after I stalked it from 150 yards.

FirstFreedom · October 7, 2007, 11:12 PM

As mentioned, a light to moderate rain is good, provided you have good enough gear to stay dry, and you're willing to clean your gun/bow thoroughly back in camp.

roy reali · October 8, 2007, 07:21 AM

Does snow affect weather you hunt or not? Is it an advantage?

FirstFreedom · October 8, 2007, 09:38 AM

Snow is very good two - even better than rain. Not only can you walk quietly, but you can track the animals.

October 3, 2007, 08:27 PM	#1
hunter33 Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 289	Rain or no rain for hunting? Is rain good for hunting or not does it effect the different animals your hunting in different ways?

October 3, 2007, 08:50 PM	#2
SavageSniper Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2005 Location: Crawfordville, FL Posts: 494	I have found that it helps. Well, a light rain anyway or just after a moderate to heavy rain. It seems to me that the grass/plant foragers like deer and rabbits like the light rain and afterwards better. Maybe makes the grass fresher, crisper? I also like it because it makes my movements quieter. __________________ This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights!

October 3, 2007, 09:12 PM	#3
wolverine350 Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 2006 Location: ponca city ok Posts: 746	a light rain and overcast seem to keep the deer on the move __________________ CVA Kodiak Magnum .50 cal Marlin 981T 22LR Bolt Action Remington 770 Bolt Action 270 Thompson Center Encore 243

October 3, 2007, 09:19 PM	#4
Full-choke Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 617	On a game factor, I find right after a nice rain is nice. I like to go sit in a bean field right after a storm comes through, all the little groundhogs come up and about to feast when it settles. Deer on the other hand, it is always too dang cold in OH to rain when it is season. I like to hunt during a good rain just because I find it refreshing and fun. I will be out in the middle of a storm getting a good spot so I can have fun afterwards. But, that is just me and I'm a little weird anyways. F-C __________________ TC Encore -6mm Rem Rifle; Ruger 10/22; Ruger 10/22 Ultimate; Stoeger Condor 20; ; Remington 1100 12; Stoeger 22 Luger; Taurus PT1911; Ruger SR40c God gave us the gift of life. It is the most precious gift ever. To be unarmed is to be helpless to protect that gift; that is outright irresponsible. - Ted Nugent

October 3, 2007, 09:29 PM	#5
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	I like a light rain if it isn't TOO cold out; the noise helps me sneak through the woods because it masks my shuffle. The deer don't have a lean-to to get under, so I look for them in the low pines or somewhere they can stay a little dry. The water helps keep the leaf crunching down too. Wet sticks don't make such a snap, and the noise of the rain hitting your coat can be ameliorated by wearing hush fabrics. I hate to get my gun wet, but that goes with the territory. I really prefer a light snow as it takes longer to get wet, and the flakes make it harder for the deer to spot movement. Just my humble observations after 35 years of making mistakes that keep the big boys alive. Enjoy. CB. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

October 3, 2007, 11:01 PM	#6
roy reali Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2005 Posts: 3,248	??? Rain, what's that?

October 4, 2007, 11:40 AM	#7
NRA4life Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2001 Location: WA Posts: 183	I would pay God a hansome dollar to give us some rain (or snow even better) for the Eastern WA deer season once in awhile. It's been so dry the last umpteen years that deer hunting has become impossible. I like it damp and overcast. Seems to be the ideal conditions for some reason.

October 4, 2007, 11:42 AM	#8
kayakersteve Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 925	Rain not only is ok, but it is to our advantage as noisy, stinky human beings - It dampens sounds, keeps odors down and the ground is moist and less noisy to walk on - So if you have a choice, a light rain can drastically improve your chances of a score. Remember to dress for it though - It sucks to be wet and cold! __________________ See Ya!

October 4, 2007, 12:09 PM	#9
Fremmer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 3,482	I'll take the rain. The deer will move when the rain breaks. And it is easier to stalk after it rains.

October 4, 2007, 12:42 PM	#10
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Right before a rain or right after is always a good time to be out in the field for deer. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

October 4, 2007, 01:15 PM	#11
Wild Bill Bucks Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2005 Location: Southeastern Oklahoma, Next door to Sasquatch Posts: 1,266	I think Rain is probably the best thing that can happen after I get to my stand. It washes your scent out from where you walk to your stand. From coon hunting with dogs, I have found that once it starts to rain, it gets very hard for a dog to pick up a trail, and if it rains hard or for very long, you might as well go home. By washing out the human scent it seems to make deer move better if there are very many hunters in the area. Most hunters will pack up and go to the house, leaving the die hards like me, sitting in there stands with no trace of human scent in the area.

October 4, 2007, 03:42 PM	#12
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	I have had good results hunting in a light rain. It masks your footfall, and scent. A driving rain is a different thing though, and tends to put the deer into their bedding area. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

October 4, 2007, 04:00 PM	#13
Charles S Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2002 Location: North East Texas Posts: 950	Light rain is nice and I have had really good success. OTH I really have being on the stand in a downpour. __________________ "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

October 6, 2007, 09:31 PM	#14
BIGR Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2000 Location: Mountains Posts: 1,385	I like a light rain. After it stops it seems like the deer start moving. I once sat all day in rain, sleet and snow and took a buck that evening at 5PM, after I stalked it from 150 yards.

October 7, 2007, 11:12 PM	#15
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	As mentioned, a light to moderate rain is good, provided you have good enough gear to stay dry, and you're willing to clean your gun/bow thoroughly back in camp.

October 8, 2007, 07:21 AM	#16
roy reali Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2005 Posts: 3,248	The White Stuff Does snow affect weather you hunt or not? Is it an advantage?

October 8, 2007, 09:38 AM	#17
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Snow is very good two - even better than rain. Not only can you walk quietly, but you can track the animals.