To hunt the rain or not???

[Whump]

Whump Sez; I have tracked quite a few deer down that would have been lost if it was raining. 2 seasons ago I tracked a 3pt buck that traveled about 250yds before falling---the trail was a speck and a spot of blood. If it had been raining the animal would probably have never been found. If it is raining that is a good excuse for me to sit by the fire, sharpen heads and check my equipment. I also passed on a shot on a 4pt buck one morning right after a rain started--there will be another day to hunt and without the consequences that rain brings. Hunt safe  

[SouthMDShooter]

Stalked up to 15 yards on this guys in the rain

   

[[email protected]]

The very best time to hunt mature blacktails is during the rut when a storm blows in from the Pacific.

You are lookin for bucks who are lookin for does, rain splattering down, big timber is creaking and growling in the wind.  Sit out the downpour and get after them after it lets up.

Close shots and Snuffers or WW are the ticket!

Come on November!

Bob

[Deadsmple]

I enjoy hunting when it's raining. But I'm 1000 times more picky about the shots I'll take. Heavy rain?
 

Originally posted by Biggie Hoffman:
 bowhunting in a downpour is pretty irresponsible when you think about it.

 

I'm in total agreement. If you are out there already, you are better served by using the opportunity to get some in season scouting done. If you don't know the lay of the land like the back of your hand and cannot track without blood sign, then don't hunt in the rain. It's just like shot distances, IMO you need to stay within your skill level. Like it or not our actions reflect upon the larger group, act responsibly.

[joe skipp]

Original quote:
I am looking for opinions from the rest of the trad-gangers, do you hunt the rain or not?

He doesn't say heavy downpour, high winds with sheets of rain whipping by at 20 mph. Hunting on rainy days is a plus, especially for ground hunters. Light drizzly or misty days are exceptional. Periods of hard rain, stopping, then lighter rain...still good to be out there.

As with any day your hunting, make sure you take that high percentage shot....like close range.

[Brian Krebs]

I am with Biggie on this - however- if the rain is going to stop; be there when it does ! There is ussually a lot of action AFTER a rain.

[Minuteman]

Anything that can compromise a blood trail should, as conscientious hunters, give you pause. The blood trail is the only way to find most deer so its extremely important even on a well placed shot.
 I do gun hunt in the rain but blood trails are shorter or sometimes unnecessary in that pursuit.
 Do what you think is right, amigo. Have a good season.

[Doc Nock]

I only needed to participate in ONE lost blood trail in the rain to make it a "no-no" for me...

...however, there are exceptions.

I tend to think of early season, b'cause it's NOW early season...so much underbrush...hard to find where they travel w/out blood trail... If it's raining hard enough to wash off the trail, I hang up the bow.  If it's early, the temps mean I need to find that downed deer shortly to avoid meat spoilage. I love my deer meat...

Time of day is another variable. Early day shot means more time to find it... cool temps, vs. warm temps...etc.

now if it's later season, frost has killed brush and leaves are down... it's cooler and I can see a lot better, trail through leaf disturbance... etc, I might take the shot if the country was more open.

Seems there are a lot of "variables" to consider
Generally speaking, I won't "SHOOT" in a steady rain...but often will be out there when it's intermittent.

[Big Dave]

NO

[Tom]

Fog and a very light intermittant drizzle maybe-hard rain never.

[Blake]

I live in Wyoming where it does not rain very often so I get plenty of time to hunt when I do not have to worry about rain washing away blood trails.  I learned my lesson the hard way a few years back and will not hunt in the rain.

[Longbowz]

In the Pacific Northwest if we didn't hunt in the rain we wouldn't get much hunting done.  The trick is to make a good close shot.  But I agree it can make tracking difficult.

[Danny Rowan]

I live on Guam. If I waited for the rain to stop I would never be able to hunt,LOL. Not too bad in the thick jungle. Mostly not in heavy downpours, but steady sprinkles. Makes for quiet stalking to get in on the pigs.

Danny

[Eric Krewson]

Had a doe come in one afternoon in a light rain. I shot, she hit the ground and I put one more arrow in her. The rain increased in intensity and she stood back up on wobbly legs. I had a few seconds when I could have put another arrow in her but was sure she was going to topple over, she didn't, put a tree between us and walked away.

The rain really started coming down. I waited 30 minutes and took up the trail. A little blood at first but the rain washed it all away within the first 20 yds. I looked for her until 10pm with no luck.

It rained 4" that night and I was back at daylight. I found her in a cane thicket 1/2 hr after daylight, it had been a very warm night and she was blown up like a balloon and stinking.
I walked out of the hollow I found her in with a terrible feeling of loss, such a waste of her life. I left her for the coyotes.

Long story, this happened 20 years ago. Just an explanation of why I feel it is unethical for me to bowhunt in N Alabama in any rain harder than a light mist. This was the first deer I lost in my bow hunting career and only lost one other since.

I understand that in the rainy parts of the US one must adapt to the conditions, but here in N Bama I have options.

[George Tsoukalas]

I do not hunt in the rain, Bob B, for the reason you mentioned. Jawge

[Shawn Leonard]

I will hunt a light rain but if it is pouring, I do not like to get soaked and most deer bed in some heavy thermal cover to try and stay dry themselves. I agree with Biggie, if ya do hunt in heavy rain keep the shots close and make them good lung hits and you will be OK. Shawn

[**DONOTDELETE**]

firearms, any kind of rain
Bow, Nope wont go.

[acolobowhunter]

Been there and done that.  Shot a nice elk ( wife was with me). Put a good shot on it, one of the best of all my animals shot.  Within just a couple minutes it started pouring rain.  This was a morning hunt.  Usually we get the afternoon showers.  Found good blood, but within 30 yds. all the blood was washed away.  We looked for 6 hrs and never found the animal.  Now when it rains we get our the cards and play cribbage till it stops.  Good hunting afterwards - quiet walking.

[KSdan]

I am with most- nope. . . but I do live in KS where I have many options of good days.  If I was on a limited hunt or hunted the NW, I would probably adapt.

On the other hand- I do check into the local NOAA weather radio station regularly throughout the day.  Knowing the rain was due to start in mid-AM then stop again later in the afternoon, I have actually got out of the stand and waited most of the day under some nice cedars for the rain to stop.  The moment it stopped I was back on stand and it was like someone flipped a switch- deer everywhere!

[The Ursus]

I wish I had the option to NOT hunt in the rain...  I'd never get to hunt if I waited for a dry day.