Dead in the Woods

[traditionalman]

I was wondering if any of you other bowhunters have had times when the woods is just dead. I have had 4 or 5 times in the last 30 years when there is nothing moving. Not a squirrel, chipmumk, bird, or bug. It is like everything either left the woods or agreed to hide till dark.

I have tried to fiquer out what is going on and can only guess it has something to do with the weather. Most of the time the weather is fair, not too hot or too cold, slight wind, sunny, by all accounts not a bad day. The next day it usually rains or snows and is bad.

I thought game before a storm or right after a storm but on thoes 5 times I remember as I said weather was nice.

Just had one of thoes day yesterday again and it still baffles me as to why and where does all the animals go. I have learn when this happens just go home as staying longer does not produce any change.

As I said there is no movemenet from any animal, birds or bugs on these days.

Any one have any experience like this or I'm I just blessed.

[Chumster]

My son and I have both left the woods discussing the same thing on the way home. It was as if something or someone zapped all the animals from the area. Unfortunately it's happened more times than I like and as you mention nothing to put your finger on.

[Stumpkiller]

Oh yes.  When a large front is moving through or just prior it can get quiet.

[kpete]

Usage patterns can change in a hurry.  If food and cover are good critters are probably still around.
I remember my first years in Eastern Nebr in the 70's.  There were lots of hunts where no deer were seen.  Now  deer are thick there.

[SpencerL]

Usually when it's dead like that, it means I'm moving too much (Still Hunter), but I've also noted it as the calm before the storm with a large cold front.

[Jerry Jeffer]

I have had days when there is not even a bid chirping.  

I thought I missed the end of the world or some thing.

 It's then time to go home.

[saumensch]

My experience was that either there was a driven hunt earlier that day or the weather is in for a heavy change.

[Leon.R]

I think most times due to a big change in weather.
Could be the big hairy fellow is around and watching....lol

[greyghost]

If it has only happened 4 or 5 times for you over 30 years you are blessed.

Don't know about the bug movement but nothing from deer, beer, elk or any small game and birds many times.

Yes I would say weather patterns. But I have seen it like that before, after and during fronts. Bluebird days (with no bluebirds) with no approching fronts.Full moon, quarter moon and dark moon.

Or maybe I just stink really bad.

But at least we are still out there and makes for a great napping/scouting day.

[Stone Knife]

It's like being in a biological desert.

[wapitimike1]

That's why I've almost quit hunting low pressure systems. I call it the morge hunt. Your much better off hunting the high pressure on the way in then low, just my thoughts.

[ti-guy]

I've experienced it! and you ask yourself;What's goin'on? What am I doin' here? Where's everything?

[BobCo 1965]

Definetely experienced that scenerio.

I had two solid days in a row of this this past bowseason. In both cases, there was no wind whatsoever and the woods were so silent that it hurt to listen.

I believe that most game know that if they move, they will be heard by preditors.

[pronghorn23]

I've experienced that alot.  Seems usually about 40 degrees, sometimes colder. Don't usually notice a front coming or going though.

I could hunt one day and everything's out, the next day not even the squirrels or birds are moving. Or I've had it where things start moving but very late in the morning..say mid morning vs sunrise.

[7 Lakes]

I worked as a Wilderness Counselor @ an Alternative school and took extended canoe and backpack trips for 5 years.  In all that time I noticed the dead feeling a few times.  

The only one I remember clearly because of that horror movie feeling of dead calm happened in SC on the Edisto River.  Everything went dead, no birds, no animals, no breeze... 20 minutes after the start of the calm we had a fearsome thunderstorm followed immediately by a tornado.

[Bowwild]

I have noticed such things on occassion. It is pretty odd...when not a creature is stirring...not even a....grouse.

[Buffalo Two Fletch]

I have experienced it more in the past few years than ever before. In my case I believe that the area I hunt just does not have much to offer game and non game animals anymore. That along with a brutal Winter two years ago have taken it's toll on the Wildlife. There are many days where I do not see anything living. Perhaps I have become a bad hunter but there is not much in the way of sign anymore. Probably time to find a new area to hunt but I really do enjoy those big mature forests.

[BobCo 1965]

Originally posted by Bowwild:
I have noticed such things on occassion. It is pretty odd...when not a creature is stirring...not even a....grouse.

Funny you should mention grouse. I have seen grouse perched in trees all day long on these occasions.

[ripforce56]

Happened to me yesterday, downpoured rain all nite until Tues midday then became partly cloudy, snow was predicted for Wed! I decided to go out in the PM for a couple hours to sit one of my stands where I saw a lot of deer in the acorns after the snowstorm last weekend! Not a thing moving not even a chikadee it was about 45 degrees and breezy! Ironically when I have seen the most deer is after the fronts go thru then it seems as though woods are alive with critters especially after a snow event! Snowing as of now about 2 inches on the ground gonna try it again tonite!

[ron w]

Hunt it the Adirondacks, It's like that most of the time. Some areas that see logging are not as bad ,but the Forever Wild tracts....barren! You would think it was going to storm all the time!