Hunting in the rain

[jimneye]

It's raining here in Pa. And makes me wonder, is bow hunting in the rain ethical? I know with perfect shots I've had deer die within sight, but this is not a perfect world. If the shot isn't quite perfect and a blood trail is needed for tracking especially during the first week or two of season with all the vision blocking foliage I have to ask "Should we do our quarry a favor and stay home during the rain or go hunting and hope for perfection?"

[Roger Norris]

I stay home in the rain. That said, i have been out when it began to rain, and I don't always leave...that doesn't mean I'm taking a shot, either.

2 seasons ago in the UP it started to cloud burst literally the SECOND I release the string on a whopper doe. All sign washed away very quickly, and we didn't find her until morning....although she had only gone 50 yards. Use your judgement, and if you hit one, your tracking/locating skills will be tested.

[Buckskin57]

I love still hunting in the rain,it's the high wind that I don't like in the timber.Missed a big Tom yesterday PM. in a downpour at 20 yds.very ethical call for whitetail tracking though.I will admitt I have lost a buck because of rain wash,but also found them.Good Question.

[reddogge]

I stopped hunting in the rain the year I lost a fine buck due to a torential downpour after I hit it.

[Shawn Leonard]

Nope, I will hunt in the rain. I know the property hunt very well and a lot of times I need no blood trail. I limit my shots and hopefully need no locating skills, but I believe it is OK to hunt in the rain. Shawn

[Jerry Jeffer]

Rich, this has been debated many times. I say do what you think is right. I have had most of my best hunting days in the rain, and have not lost any deer because of it. Like Shawn mentioned, if you know the property and what the deer are doing. You can find them. Hope you have a good season. I just took my first of the year yesterday, in the rain. Peace.

[Night Wing]

I don't hunt in the rain. Too messy for my tastes.