Weather and Hunting

[lpcjon2]

So I am looking outside here in Jersey and its getting warmer(upper 40's-mid 50's) and thought what about weather and hunting. What a winter...LOL

  So what relevant weather conditions have been the factor in some of your best and worst hunts.

  And what conditions do you look for to be your optimal setting for certain hunting areas you frequent.

[ChuckC]

Having some wind is important.  No wind makes it tough to figure.   Too much wind and the animals here tend not to move.

A light rain works,  heavy rain does not, for several reasons.  

An incoming big weather change sometimes get s them moving all times of the day.

A light snow is fine.  I don't like hunting much in real cold temperatures, but I do it at times. Before the cold, there are a lot of mosquitos where I go.

I think a day with a light stable wind, in late October / early November, after a couple similar days, with temps just above freezing are about as good as it gets around here.

ChuckC

[Easykeeper]

The one condition I love to see in late October or early November is the first bright, cold, clam morning after a period of nasty weather.  It seems like every animal in the woods is up and about after riding out the storm.  Around here a morning like that in the pre-rut period is a wonderful time to be in the woods.

[Sam McMichael]

wind, rain, and cold absolutely control my hunting.

If it is too windy or the wind is swirling greatly, it is very difficult to hunt effectively. I like a slight steady breeze coming straighjt into my face. (Who doesn't?). Several of my stands are along ridges, so in the mornings, as the day warms up, the thermals often cause the breeze to blow more uphill. Later as the days cools, the opposite takes place. These days are easy to hunt. The overly strong or swirling winds make everything a crap shoot as far as I am concerned, because I just don't know which direction to face.

Rain is not much of a factor in the woods - I stay home! I just don't like getting wet. A light shower is not too bad, but a steady soaking rain sends me back to the house. I have all kinds of rain gear and water shedding wool, yet I cancel hunting in bad weather. I guess Alaska is out of the question!

Cold has really become a deterrent in recent years. I am older now and with diabetes, I do not have the greatest circulation in my legs and feet.  Several years ago, my feet got vey cold, losing all feeling. 2 toes on my left foot still have a problem. When younger, I like the cold. I used to say that I liked it so cold, nobody else would want to be in the woods. It just seemed that the deer moved better when the temp dropped.

What I really like is late fall when the morning is rather brisk with a slight ground fog and a soft breeze. The woods are beautiful and smell great. The deer are beginning to move more and anticipation of the rut is building. That to me is the epitome of peacefullness.

[ISP 5353]

My favorites are right before and after a front close to the rut and late season snow.  I love hunting in snowy woods.

[lpcjon2]

Nothing is better than a white forest floor. I can picture it in my mind

[Roadkill]

Light snow. Light, but steady wind, front passing and a high vantage point overlooking a thick ravine.  Rabbits to elk, they a ll show up if you pick the right canyon