Will deer move in the rain?

Deer will be active all day during a steady rain, especially if the wet weather lasts for several days. Don't let these conditions discourage you! The deer are out there and they must eat and socialize (especially during the rut). Plan on being out there with them!

Do deer move more when it rains?

This doe doesn't seem to mind the rain. Boggess says that other researchers have found light rain can increase deer movement, but heavy rain can decrease it. Still, he says there is no consistent effect of rain across all the whitetail's range.

Do deer bed down or move in the rain?

Heavy rains or thunderstorms will cause deer to bed down in a sheltered area of some kind. Any high winds, rain or not, will also discourage their movement. Since light rain doesn't alter a deer's activity, this time can be very rewarding for you.

How do you hunt deer on a rainy day?

Deer may bed down during a downpour, but the best time to take advantage of movement is often right after the rain lightens to a drizzle or stops completely. Hunters who try to wait out the rain at home and then hit the woods often run the risk of bumping deer on their way in.

Can deer smell you in the rain?

A steady autumn rain helps wash away human scent more quickly. This is a tricky situation, however, as humid, damp conditions also help a deer's sense of smell. That's because a whitetail is not that unlike a canine.

Should You Be Deer Hunting In The Rain?

What weather is best for deer hunting?

An ideal day for hunting deer will be a cold day with clear skies and high wind velocities. You'll need a close shot, so you won't have arrow drift in a hard, blowing wind. Dr. Sheppard never has attempted to draw conclusions on why these three factors tend to cause deer to move.

Should you hunt field or woods during rain?

Whitetail Deer Hunting in the Rain: Pros

Damp conditions on the forest floor enable you to move quietly through the woods, making it ideal for still-hunting or spot and stalk. While damp conditions seem to benefit a deer's sense of smell, a heavy rain works to a hunter's advantage by washing away ground scent.

Is it worth hunting deer in the rain?

Deer will be active all day during a steady rain, especially if the wet weather lasts for several days. Don't let these conditions discourage you! The deer are out there and they must eat and socialize (especially during the rut).

Is it a waste of time to hunt in the rain?

Bad Weather Benefits

Rain, especially in the early season and again during the rut, gets bucks on their feet earlier than usual and moving around during legal shooting hours. That's good news if you're hunting food sources such as apple trees, food plots, or even acorn flats, where most visits occur after dark.

What time of day are most big bucks killed?

Early Morning and Late Afternoon

No matter what the conditions, deer move best early of a morning and late of an afternoon. That's when they're wired to move most. It's when their eyesight is most effective. And there are few things that impact this movement, other than hunting pressure.

What makes deer not move?

Deer move most in low-light conditions, so be sure you're sitting at dawn and dusk to boost your chances. If you're not seeing deer, you might be reaching your treestand too late and leaving too early.

What hours are deer most active?

Deer are most active during the twilight hours of dusk and dawn. Most sleep during the day. They typically feed in the early morning hours before sleeping and then again in the evening and through the night. However, deer can also be active during the day and even midday, especially during rut and around the full moon.

What temperature do deer move the most?

How far can a deer smell a human?

ANSWER: Under normal conditions, a deer can smell a human that is not making any attempt to hide its odor at least 1/4 mile away. If the scenting conditions are perfect (humid with a light breeze), it can even be farther.

Does rain spook deer?

But no, rain doesn't really affect deer. It may alter the times they are normally active, but deer still need to feed and will still go about their business as soon as the rain comes to a halt.

Is it better to hunt before or after rain?

It is a little easier to tell when the rain will stop or let up than it is to tell when it will start, so your best bet is to hunt after the rain. Deer move a little more after the rain than before simply because of their empty bellies.

Where do deer hide when raining?

During a Storm

When the wind is howling and rain or snow is falling, deer will be bedded down in heavy cover. They will move, but only short distances and during lulls in the storm. Hunt the edge of cover or near a food plot with thickets nearby.

Is it good to hunt deer after a rain?

The window just after a heavy rain event ends is particularly fruitful—likely because deer that were bedded down through the storm are now hungry and eager to get moving.

What time do deers go to bed?

If you prefer the morning shift to evenings, you can catch the deer on their way back to bed. Deer make the transition back to their bedding areas from roughly 6:00 am to 10:00 am. On their return trip they will be lethargic and sleepy, ready for bed. This is the opportune time to take your shot.

What kind of weather makes deer move?

A drop of 10 or more degrees in daytime high temperatures tends to elicit a positive increase in deer movement—this seems to be the threshold for a meaningful cold front. Furthermore, cold temperatures in general (compared to the average for that time of year) are almost always a good thing.

How do you get bucks to come out during the day?

How far will deer travel for food?

However, when mature deer do feed during the day, it's generally within 100 to 150 yards of their bedding area. So if you can find a good food source close to a thick bedding area, you'll be in the money for some action.

Should I hunt in the rain during the rut?

Many hunters claim that warm weather shuts down deer movement during the rut, as will rain and wind. While this may hold true much of the year, the fact remains that when a doe is ready to be bred, it doesn't matter what the weather is, nor the time of day.

Do deer rut in the rain?

The rut's going to happen regardless of weather conditions," Dr. Jacobson explained. "Deer get bred on almost the same day every year. The peak of the rut can change a little bit from nutrition — maybe as much as a week — but it's going to happen, rain or shine.

How long before sunrise Do I need to be in my deer stand?

By using the cover of darkness to access your stand, you can arrive and climb preferably, roughly 5-10 minutes prior to shooting light.