Wind and wet climbing conditions don't bother me at all but I get real worried/nervous/anxiety about lightning.
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If rain starts, additional gears suggestion to keep hunting on the ground?
- Thread starter HuumanCreed
- Start date
I’d say that it depends on why you are hunting that spot. If you’re operating on strong intel then go in there prepared to hunt the way you had intended to. If the rain is heavy then tether close to the ground. If the rain is light or non existent then tether at your normal height.
If you’re just going to the place because “it’s a good spot” then when the rain rolls in take the chance to still hunt and look for fresh sign - unless you think doing so will blow out the deer.
If you’re just going to the place because “it’s a good spot” then when the rain rolls in take the chance to still hunt and look for fresh sign - unless you think doing so will blow out the deer.
I would still be tethered at height as an option lol. Otherwise #4 or #3, in that order. Unless you're using a rifle, my terrain doesn't really fare well for still hunting... Preference for #4 because of visibility, no other reason, because it's pretty thick here... I've done saddle setups as ground height, actually about a foot off the ground, because the platform is quieter than leaves usually (but wet would help you there).
I would stay put and hunt. Sell it as being safer ..... Better visibility, less slippery and all that. Maybe get a new set of rain gear for optimal safety. A rappel kit too. Safety first I always say.
Same. I drove 40 minutes to my opening day spot last year in a downpour determined to go, admittedly hoping it would let up at least a little, but rain gear ready I’m going hunting opening day. Lightning changed that plan before I got my pack on. The wife and kids annoy me at times but I’ve grown fond of them for the most part. Haha!
In general though; Fred Bear commandment #6.
Light rain is almost like extra camo for hunters, rain smell blocks your scent, a tree umbrella is wonderful, a Pancho is fine. Blood trails suck in the rain, take only super sure shots or have a dog team ready. I see a ton of deer when it rains but I am so hesitant to shoot. Good luck
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I’m pretty sure any guy that uses dogs for hunting or tracking can confirm that active rain and moisture heightens scent detectability and doesn’t wash it away. It’s the bone dry stuff that won’t hold scent. But agree on blood trails 100%
I do not hunt during a rain. Afterwards, yes.
Hunting with a weapon that kills by way of hemorrhage during a rain is senseless.
I lost a nice doe by doing exactly that and I'll never do it again. If a deer doesn't fall within sight and all you have is a blood trail, tracking complications are not going to be in the favor of the hunter. Spending hours looking for a deer in a grid search is disturbing the entire hunting area and if that's the only area you have to hunt, it's going to be a while before the deer settle back down. I can avoid a lot of complications by just not hunting in the rain.
Hunting with a weapon that kills by way of hemorrhage during a rain is senseless.
I lost a nice doe by doing exactly that and I'll never do it again. If a deer doesn't fall within sight and all you have is a blood trail, tracking complications are not going to be in the favor of the hunter. Spending hours looking for a deer in a grid search is disturbing the entire hunting area and if that's the only area you have to hunt, it's going to be a while before the deer settle back down. I can avoid a lot of complications by just not hunting in the rain.
Fair. I always see more in the rain so figured fresh rain covered my scent.
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It might nock it down from blowing to the deer but as far as a blood/scent trail is concerned, it keeps the blood and the interdigital scent from their hooves fresh so the dog can stay on the trail easier. Obviously a downpour isnt going to be the same as a light rain for this.
A tracker once broke it down like this for me. "What stinks more? a dried up dog turd or a wet pile you stepped in?" that made a lot of sense to me. Its amazing what those dogs can do though. They are incredible animals
I've used my 1-stick as a stool when ground hunting before. It worked but wasn't terribly comfortable. I've got a couple of folding stools that, again, work but aren't terribly comfortable. If your setup doesn't lend it self to setting your saddle, you can try making a "Torge's tree seat". Lots of results on Google so I won't go into too much detail here. Essentially a chunk of scrap plywood cut to what looks like a cross between a platform and the seat of a chair. Drill a couple of holes on each side and run a rope to attach it to a tree trunk.
Its cool that you guys get a choice what weather you hunt ......here in western oregon you either hunt in the rain or you are a veigan.
Sometimes I feel like people forget about the amount of rain in the northwest.
You can either take precautions, or make excuses.
Yeah we get 1 tag for less than à month in a vertical rain forest....gotta act like you want it.n gotta get after it whenever......most of all gotta love it.
Here's my rainy day ground setup. I also add raingear (pants & jacket.)
It's a dry bag-the rain gear & any extra layers go into that. Then it attaches to the bottom straps of the Monster pack.
I have several sizes of them to accommodate bulkier stuff when it gets colder. They keep that stuff clean & dry, & briars don't snag on 'em. Got them on (where else?!) Amazon!