Opener weather - tips, tricks, theories

[Phunnyfarm]

I am looking at the forecast for my unit (214) for the weekend, and it's not looking pretty. Or is it?

Cloudy, chance of rain/snow, high of 31, WINDY (15-25mph NW).

My theory: There's a full moon later this week, which would normally shed enough light for the deer to move at night. But with a thick cloud cover, noisy wind and precipitation, that could mean the deer hunker down instead. Then, in the light of day, the cold and "love" in the air motivates them to get up and move around.

Of course there may be a bit of optimism to my theory!

Anyone else interpret the weather/moon forecast differently when they read it? Do you hunt differently because of it (go deeper into the woods, stay out along the open fields, drive through a marsh)?

[tipup]

I was just wondering the same thing??? I would lean towards the second, nature says go and love, and they go and love. I dont like the idea of alot of wind either, but maybe it wont matter.

[DonBo]

Full moon? Cold? Windy? Rain/snow? Yeah, you're probably right, they won't be moving. You should probably just stay home to scrapook and wait for better conditions. That's what I'll be doing.

[hoppe56307]

I hunt the edges of the fields and that nw wind will be chilly blowing in my face opening morning.

[smsmith]

hoppe...I see you're in northern Todd. What's the corn harvest look like in your area?

[Black_Bay]

I don't believe wind forecasts more than a day or two out. That's as far as the National Weather Service will guess at the wind. It may very well be windy but it's too early to get my undies in a bunch or pick out a stand location.

[tazimna]

Don't listen to the weather terrorists. It'll be hot and dusty opener.

[TylerS]

I've always played into the notion that hunters have a lot more impact on deer movement than the weather. Particularly, hunters who can't sit still

[hoppe56307]

hoppe...I see you're in northern Todd. What's the corn harvest look like in your area?

Still lots out there.

[smsmith]

Still lots out there.

Same here, its starting to disappear but a long ways to go.

[ESSGuy]

Who will be the first weather terrorist to talk about deer hunters wanting some good tracking snow for the deer opener? I hear it every year, like we are all the Benoits from northern Maine and Vermont. We just can't wait to cut that big buck track while still hunting through the big north woods, track that big ole swamp buck for hours in the snow then shoot him in his bed at last light then drag him for hours back to camp. Maybe I've read to much North American Whitetail and Deer and Deer hunting magazines. I just hope to see a couple this year.

[Kyle]

Don't hope, make it happen.

Since I was young, I have heard countless people talk about how they just hope to see a deer. The reason people don't see deer is because they aren't playing the game with more intelligence than the deer. Every now and again you'll get a year when you just don't see much, but that's normal. I would argue that if you go multiple years without seeing deer that you need to do something different. Whether that is choosing a new stand location or changing the way you enter the woods/approach your stand location. I understand that some areas of the state, especially the big woods of the north, do not have as many deer per square mile but these deer still have habits, funnels, and runways that they frequent often.

I stopped hunting with my family members on our private land up in the big woods because they would all drive atv's through the middle of our land to get to their stands and then complain about how few deer they saw. Not to mention the rare occasion that a deer over the age of 2 was spotted. lesson learned: do the opposite of what the majority of the people in your area are doing. If you were a deer and literally thousands of humans all of a sudden entered the woods one day what would you do/where would you go? Ya gotta either change your strategy, or go where other people don't. And that doesn't just mean go in a mile further than the rest. It means go a mile further and from there, find the deer sign. Most people hunt 1 weekend/year. And they are not scouting in early spring; they rebuild stands anywhere from 2 weeks to the day before the gun opener and they call it good. These are not the people that consistently kill deer let alone quality deer.

As far as weather goes, whether it's windy or not the temps will be significantly lower than they have been in the last 2 weeks, and statewide deer are really starting to move at night. Movement will increase into daylight hours, low temps permitting.

My advice: get in the stand early and sit all day.

[trumy]

You need to put time in the woods to be successful best advice you can give is tuff it out no matter what the weather brings. I've done pretty well on cold windy snowy days 4 nice bucks and 3 does Inn last 7 years hunting sun up to sun down also why family members don't tag along can't or won't put in that kind of time.

[surewood]

Windy or not it's the time of year to get out and stay out as long as possible. Especially midday when everyone else is getting down to leave or walk around.

[Sorgy]

Kyle,

Very good points you have made there.

Good Luck everyone

Steve

[B-man715]

Full moon? Cold? Windy? Rain/snow? Yeah, you're probably right, they won't be moving. You should probably just stay home to scrapook and wait for better conditions. That's what I'll be doing.

[Phunnyfarm]

Great advice and insights guys! Regardless of what the forecast says, I'm EXCITED to go out to the woods! Regardless of what the weather is like when I am sitting in the stand, I'll be EXCITED to be there! Nothing will prevent me from going, and nothing (short of a twister) will get me out!

Well, I suppose if I shoot a deer, I'll probably decide to get out of the stand!!

Thanks guys...and if anyone has any more insights or observations about how deer tend to act in rain, wind, cold, etc...keep the thoughts coming!

[Fever]

Kyle, Great post. Agree 100% on all counts.

I too hunt in the big North woods after over a decade of hunting in southern mn with friends and some family. Never really agreed with the methods used down in farm country - People doing drives, shooting at running deer, driving around on gravel roads most of the day looking for exhausted / running deer that other people push... That sucked. Very few folks shot respectable bucks, there was little to any consistency, and to me, it wasn't a fun or rewarding way to experience a hunt. Since then, I hunt near Leech lake in the Chippewa.

Now, I put my time in year round. Run a few cameras, a few Lucky Buck mineral sites. I do a little supplemental feeding during non hunting time to maximize deer travel through this area and to take inventory on the survivors. I've placed a couple stands on south side of major trail intersections in an Oak ridge area surrounded by thick pine, birch, and Cedar thickets. I have to walk about 3/4 of a mile off a logging trail / off the beaten path - through the timber, up and down a few ravines I do everything I can to eliminate and minimize my scent, stay warm and focused, and to sit all day dark to dark.

I've gotten 2 wall hangers the past 3 years. A 149 3/8 10 pointer last year, and a 123 2/8 8 point 3 years ago while taking this approach in thi area. The(middle year 2 years ago) had a shot at a monster that would have been my personal best (over 150 incher 10 or 12 point) that somehow got lucky that my 30-06 round got deflected by some willows I didn't notice in my line of sight through the scope. Anyway, while taking scent procaution, sitting all day in these Oaks - I've gotten 5 bucks in the past 7 years and out of those 7 years I've had the opportunity to harvest an animal each year. One year I chose to not shoot a 110ish 8 point that hung out under my stand and the other year I mentioned above.

Bottom line - the precise weather really doesn't matter. Not as much as we like to talk about anyway. Our gun season is during the rut and for the most part - that fact trumps full moons, rain, snow, and even wind at times. What does matter is the handful of things you (we) can control. What are these things?

1. How you dress - over dress and stay warm and sit long. You can always take layers off. Don't overdress on the walk out and get sweaty.

2. Sit long - eat snacks and you lunch in the stand, you simply will not shoot a deer while taking breaks from your stand. Most of us hunt just a few days a year. Find it within yourself to maximize your efforts during this window of time. Worry about the things you can directly control. Patience - It will pay off. * Two wall hangers shot at 2:30 and 3pm the last 3 years.

3. Don't over party. My friends and I used to do this... It doesn't usually help to bag a big buck for the obvious reasons. Have some beers / drinks sure. Just don't overdo it. Getting to bed at a reasonable time with a clear head will greatly increase chances that you get up early with a clear head - and that you stay awake while in your stand. Easier to see, and shoot deer if you are awake.

4. Know your area, know your quarry, and understand what your realistic expectations are. In some areas a 115 class 8 is a real big deer. In others - it can be passed. If you know what is in your area, you are much more likely to make informed decisions. I've passed many 8's the last few years and am very happy I have. The two on my wall wouldn't be there if I didn't know that I'd be better served to wait and be patient. Cameras have changed the way we hunt!

5. Take care to take care of your scent. At least be aware of prevailing wind direction and stand placement. This time of year about 30% of our days will have a WNW wind of varying intensity. If you shoot right handed have your stand facing NE on the south side of a trail, so your shot is to your left and directly up wind which should allow you to take your time and have a well placed shot. One shot one kill.

Best of luck all! Shoot straight and be careful out there!

Fever

[tipup]

Full moon? Cold? Windy? Rain/snow? Yeah, you're probably right, they won't be moving. You should probably just stay home to scrapook and wait for better conditions. That's what I'll be doing.

Yeah I dont think is going to happen, I hunt every year regardless!!! Just asking for peoples thoughts. Many a different story out there about the rut and how the weather effects the deer. I have shot deer in all types of weather and wind. Good luck to all and be safe!!

[TRZ II]

Around 10am Sat. will be very good. All the slicks will be cold and going into warm up!

[Fever]

Prob 9am though if it's drizzly rainy snow mix with some 13 mph wind out of the NNW. lol. I'm actually looking forward to the all day sit. Just knowing that I'll be in that stand for 11 plus hours a day and that I have Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday to hunt that area, gives me about 44 hunt-able hours - with that - I have confidence that I'll at least have a nice shot at a deer I deem harvest-able.

(coyly grins and slowly rubs hands together....)

[DooWap]

No doubt, I've suffered through rain, snow and wind many times and usually ended up with a nice deer because of it. I'll be out there no matter what the weather. I was out for the muzzleloader season last year and it was -30 when I walked out!! Granted I wasn't going to sit in a stand when it's that cold, instead I still hunted and when I was on my feet it really wasn't too bad. It actually paid off though because that cold got the deer up and feeding and I was able to bag a nice doe.

I guess there is one thing I won't go out in and that's lightning. That's pretty rare in Nov but a couple years ago I was walking out in the morning second weekend and I start seeing flashes in the sky and hearing thunder. I went straight back to the truck. You won't find me 16ft up a tree sitting on a steel ladder in those conditions!!

[brassman]

I have hunted in what seems like every possible "bad" for deer hunting weather. I shot my biggest buck (140" 8 point) on rifle's opening morning at 8:30 am when it was 50 degrees. Nothing will stop a buck that gets it only once a year from doing just that. I have shot does when it was windier than heck. Saw a bunch last year during 15-20mph winds. Bad weather doesn't mean that the deer have vacated the woods. During high winds, I like to walk around and see whats up. the wind is easy to work and it covers your sound and movements. The rough part of tree stand hunting during wind is that the tree whips around a bit much and is sometimes tough to get a shot off. rain calls for another type of hunting. cold? I bought a heater body suit and now I have no excuses for an all day sit. I plan on sitting all day Saturday and Sunday if need be. Possibly Monday. the peak activity is forecasted to be this whole next week starting today. I would be in my bow stand now however school unfortunately trumps that. Prior to this week I had seen one small buck walking during daylight and that was late last week. In two days I have almost run over two young bucks walking at noon one day, hot on the trail of a doe and at 3:15 yesterday. It really is a simple equation, the more you actually sit, the higher the odds are of taking a deer. my second biggest deer (130" 9 point) came at exactly 1 pm, my father had had enough and was napping in the truck by 10:30 am, the buck I shot walked right by his stand. The right place is sometimes hard to find, but you can make up for that by being there at the right time. All day sits are hard, prepare for them and keep thinking that deer will step out anytime.

[NoWiser]

The last 5 bucks I've shot during rifle season have been between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. And, these weren't deer who were pushed by other hunters. They were up moving naturally as there were no other hunters within a couple miles. Last year I saw 19 deer and none were within an hour of sunrise or sunset.

I preach it over and over again, but if you really want to shoot a deer, you need to sit all day! It can get cold and miserable but we wait all year for this chance. There is plenty of time to be warm and cozy the other 350+ days of the year.

[fr0sty]

Well said brassman.