Hunting in the rain.

BIGREDD

BIGREDD

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I just read a piece that Boddington wrote in the new Rifle shooter. I like some of his writing but he is out to lunch with this one.
He says his first rule is Don't go out in the rain unless you absolutely have to. There are no advantages but lots of disadvantages.
I am beginning to question his experience... don't go out in the rain... that's baloney. He stretches this article to two pages and the only points he made was to put electrical tape over the end of your barrel and that iron sights are great in the rain!:confused:

Personally I love hunting in the rain, and I find the advantages far outnumber the disadvantages. The rain takes the games ears and nose out of the equation to a great extent which makes stalking much easier.
What do you guys think. Is Boddington blowing bafflegarb or what.:rolleyes:
 
Rain or snow , Deer move arround more because they can't smell.In fact you will see them walking with their noses up.It must make them nuts.
Rich
 
Yup Levi that wuz my sentiments exactly... I thought Boddington was a tough guy being a Soldier and all that. Now I wonder if he is strictly a "Guided Hunter". Could be just a "deadline article" though.:(
 
welcome to the fall deer control hunt. your guaranteed atleast some rain . It also ensures you clean your gun whether you want to or not!
 
This is good to know...I always thought they kinda' "hunkered down" because their ability to scent was diminished.

Jeff.
 
Kidding aside, hunting deer in the rain can be very rewarding. Look at dense cover, river banks, softwoods mostly, but during certain times of the hunting season you can get 'em right out in the open. Tracks are also easy to understand, and very fresh! :D
One thing I have found over the years is that when still hunting into wind , watch for deer coming at you. Deer follow wind direction / currents often. Can also be a good guide when looking at topos , and seeing where deer travel from bedding to feeding , that with the normal west to east air flow can get you onto some great action. :)
This is good to know...I always thought they kinda' "hunkered down" because their ability to scent was diminished.
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This can be true, in some cases, depending on the weather system passing, if its really coming down, with high winds, the heavy softwoods that butt up against the hardwood is choice. Deer love the edge Thats the location where softwood meets hardwoods, excellent stand locations can be found.
 
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I have found that deer hunting is always best just before and just after bad weather. By bad weather I mean when it is unconfortable to be outside my self with proper clothing on (that is how I gauge it). This includes rain, cold, heat, and wind.

Hunting in the rain is not so good around here, but if it has been a heavy rain for more than 2 days then lets up to a slight drizzle the game moves around a lot.

If it is summer and there had been a terrible heat wave for a long spell, then I find game to move around a lot in the rain.


Bear hunting is mostly a waste of time in the rain if it is cold out. They don't have the same type of hair as deer and the water goes right through to thier skin. I think they realy feel damp and cold and choose to hole up most of the time.
 
Hunting in the Rain.

Hunting during rain or snow storms are some of my favorite times to be out. I'm not sure about them moving around more though, in my limited experience most creatures of the wild take shelter during inclement weather.

Like BR mentioned the deer lose their biggest advantages in the rain, sense of smell and hearing. If you know the bedding and sheltering areas it is alot easier to get into them unnoticed.

That's how I've had my best success in the rain. Not sure how stand hunting would work out though?? I try to be on the move when the weather is 'bad'.
 
There are two disadvantages that come to mind. The first is that in heavy rain blood trails aren't as easy to spot. Secondly, gutting an animal in the rain is a little tougher than doing it in dry conditions.

On the plus side, wet ground makes for easier tracking. I agree that it reduces the game's ability to scent and hear a hunter. The biggest advantage though is that it keeps fair weather hunters out of the bush and that would be people like Craig Boddington. He's not a favourite writer of mine.

I am reluctant to hunt upland birds in the rain. Wet birds hold tight and don't often flush. Ruffed grouse however will perch in trees in wet weather and being ready for a flush from the trees can bring good results.
 
Over half of my hunting is done in the rain. I generally have much more success in the rain and like somebody said before me, there are less 'hunters' out in the woods when it is raining.
 
All I can say is that Boddington must spend alot of time in his tent writing when he could be out hunting. When someone else is paying the way, I guess that's OK. Every now and then Craig says stuff that is unworthy of his experience, perhaps he is just trying to relate to the common man.
 
Levi Garrett said:
Deer love the edge Thats the location where softwood meets hardwoods, excellent stand locations can be found
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Republic of Alberta said:
I have found that deer hunting is always best just before and just after bad weather.
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Claybuster said:
There are two disadvantages that come to mind. The first is that in heavy rain blood trails aren't as easy to spot. Secondly, gutting an animal in the rain is a little tougher than doing it in dry conditions.
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That is golden advice fellas...:)
Westicle said:
I find you have to put the defroster on while hunting in the rain, otherwose the windshield fogs up
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On the other hand... your a weapon Westy... :D
 
if i neaver hunted in the rain......i,d neaver get to hunt...as it seems like every time i go out ...sure as crap it will start to rain...
and why not hunt in the rain?or do the crittes disolve or something?..if they get wet
 
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