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Bow Hunting on Windy Days

Tek

Tek

Active Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2017
Messages
119
Location
MA
Thoughts on deer movement in 20+ mph windy days.

We have a high wind advisory this afternoon with some gusts in the high 30’s...

Worth swaying around in a tree or no?


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I'll hunt with compound, but keep shots close. Won't take the recurve out though. 30 is my cutoff.

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Deer will move. I like to hunt windy days because you can get away with a lot in the tree getting ready for the shot. If it get's super windy though just use common sense and be safe. There is definitely a risk of getting hit with falling branches or even trees.
 
Finding the leeward side of hills that offer protection is nice during really windy days. I have found deer that way before. It is a good opportunity to take your bow for a slow walk since everything moves and it is not quiet in the woods.
 
redsquirrel said:
Deer will move. I like to hunt windy days because you can get away with a lot in the tree getting ready for the shot. If it get's super windy though just use common sense and be safe. There is definitely a risk of getting hit with falling branches or even trees.
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I am glad I am not the only one who thinks about this. What happens if..... That's going to leave a mark.
 
Napali said:
I am glad I am not the only one who thinks about this. What happens if..... That's going to leave a mark.
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I still like hunting in the wind... but within reason. And I've been out there where a big branch has come crashing down not too far away. Maybe it was time to go.

I did hunt right after an october ice storm one winter. I actually texted my dad my gps coordinates because I was telling myself what an idiot I was for going out that day and was just waiting for an icy branch to take me out. I was younger and dumber than I am now. :tonguewink:
 
redsquirrel said:
I still like hunting in the wind... but within reason. And I've been out there where a big branch has come crashing down not too far away. Maybe it was time to go.

I did hunt right after an october ice storm one winter. I actually texted my dad my gps coordinates because I was telling myself what an idiot I was for going out that day and was just waiting for an icy branch to take me out. I was younger and dumber than I am now. :tonguewink:
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Like hunting in a t-storm when I was younger. I went lower instead of higher and the tree I was going to get in got struck by lightning. ground ivy all around tree was burned out. Ice storms are not to be messed with.
 
My biggest concern with bow hunting on windy days is accuracy. I don't bow hunt much with winds above 25 mph.
 
Bowmanmike said:
Finding the leeward side of hills that offer protection is nice during really windy days. I have found deer that way before. It is a good opportunity to take your bow for a slow walk since everything moves and it is not quiet in the woods.
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The downside to hunting leeward sides of a hill in higher wind is the wind eddy. You just can't count on a stable wind direction.
I like to try to hunt the edge of where the prevailing wind is not in an eddy pattern, but it butts against the sheltered area. Wind seams are not easy to locate but when you find one it can be a great set up.
 
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