|
|
Post by whyohe on Dec 23, 2009 16:28:37 GMT -5
our late season flintlock season starts Saturday but i wonder if they will be moving. on Friday we are predicted to get up to 40 degrees and 1/2 inch of rain wich is suppose to change to light snow by saturday morning with temps falling all night. I THINK if its not too windy they will be moving a good bit because of being bedded down during the storm on friday.
what is you thoughts on deer and weather.
|
|
|
|
Post by ozark on Dec 23, 2009 19:35:46 GMT -5
As a country boy, as a hunter and from the observations and comments of my Dad and older brother I have learned something about animals and weather. I remember my Dad looking out a window and saying that it would rain all day. I ask how he knew and he said: "Look at the chickens feeding in the rain. If it was just a shower or showers they would race for cover and then come out when the shower passed on." I have observed deer feeding in the rain and even while it was snowing. Somehow they know if the falling weather is going to last or pass on. I could write a long article on this subject but instead I will leave you with a wind indicater. Cattle feed with the wind hitting their butts while horses feed with their heads facing into the wind. Wild turkeys (at least in our area) feed and move with the sun to their backs. Westerly in the morning and Easterly in the afternoon. If cattle are up feeding you can bet fish are biting. As you drive along the highways observe the cattle. If they are up grazing in one location you will see them up grazing for miles down the highway. If they are standing or lying down it will be the same on down the road. No wildlife likes windy weather and most all dislike a east wind. Night hunters expect to see only skunks on nights when the wind is out of the east. Ofcourse the wind direction is dictated by the highs and lows. One last thing....If the wind is out of the south or southwest for three days it will bring rain. I would teach you more but who needs it. LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by artjr338wm on Dec 30, 2009 16:05:47 GMT -5
As a descendant of out west farmers and cattle ranchers who has been cursed with having to live in a concrete jungle, I do not get to observe the behavior of animals in the wild often enough to be able to understand most of what i have witnessed over the last 25years actually means. I know, move you fool!
I have witnessed countless examples of behavior by deer and other animals that left me utterly perplexed as to the why of it. As most hunters know, deer tend to not be that active during periods of high wind. But once while ML hunting on a large track of Prvt/prop in IL I saw literally dozens of deer from sm-med bucks, as well as does of all ages out in a harvested corn field ruining all over the place for long after sun up and some even until after noon.
I investigated the area around the corn field (covered with a nice 3-4" blanket of snow) but try as I might I could find no external force that could have resulted in such unusual behavior on the part of the deer. And there was no human encroachment prior to my hunt that I could find evidence of, so I was never able to figure out what caused this strange deer behavior. The weather was also quite stable both before and after the hunt, cold but not bitterly so. I found no vehicle tracks in the snow, and few other foot prints besides mine, and no more than would be usual yote tracks.
I have never witnessed similar deer behavior ever again.
|
|
|
|
Post by DBinNY on Dec 30, 2009 18:16:22 GMT -5
Art, sounds like the peak of the rut with relatively undisturbed deer?  |
|
|
|
Post by wilmsmeyer on Dec 31, 2009 5:57:15 GMT -5
Whyohe,
Around here at this time of the year it's all about energy conservation and being close to any foor sources. Deer are bedded on south facing hills to get the most "heat" possible during the day.
THEN...about 3:30 4:00 they get up and head for food enmass!
It's like clockwork around here right now. If you have any food sources, be there with a wind advantage right before dark and that will be your best bet.
Good luck
|
|
|
|
Post by whyohe on Dec 31, 2009 7:20:13 GMT -5
thanks wilms, we have some fields but they are OLD hay fields and not a good source of food but we do have a stream that runs threw the property as a water source.
I did go out on tues. it was very windy and cold!!! NOTHING was moving not even squirls ans one or two birds. i did find some old tracks that was from early that morning, mostlikely before light. I did not go out yesterday cause of theropy and going to visit my mother in law in rehab from a stroke. was thinking about going today but was going to give my knee a rest so I,m good to go tomorrow and Saturday, when i feel more people will be out and moving them around.
my nephew did go out yesterday and in the after noon he got a shot at one but that is all i know right now. do you you thong deer get scared off for a bit after a shot? shold i take this into consideration when i choose my hunting spot?
|
|
|
|
Post by whyohe on Dec 31, 2009 7:37:55 GMT -5
OH YA. it snowed heavy most of the night and is still snowing now but is due to end soon. then have a mix of rain snow threw out the day but from what i can see on the radar, it look like it will stop by 8:00 8:30 am and not start back up till this after noon. I feel they will start to move between 8:30 and 10:30 AM. I wish i could go out but my knee is sore and i have to get some stuff done around the house.   . hope to do better tomorrow and Saturday! |
|
|
|
Post by wilmsmeyer on Dec 31, 2009 18:42:30 GMT -5
It is all about eating what is available (not much) and not taking much energy to do it. Deer are "gathering" now. If you find one there will be 20 more in sight.
Yes, you will find the mother load but there will be a ton of noses and eyeballs finding you too! That's why the wind will be important. Even hunger stricken deer will re-act to the fear of the ONE deer that makes you.
I saw it tonight. I was watching about 50 deer at dusk across the road from my house. I live in the village but on the outskirts. Don't hunt there. The feilds were full of deer coming out. One lone deer began running from something she didn't like the sight or smell of. It was a chain reaction....bedded deer got up 200 yds from her...other deer stared in the direction of her fright and put their ears. Before I knew it the entire feild (probably 50 acres) was void of deer. Hunting has been over for many days here now (8-9). Could have been a dog or yote...never saw it.
Mind the wind and find the food. Hunker down and wait. They will come. They are hungry..hungry!!
Good luck
|
|
|
|
Post by whyohe on Jan 1, 2010 18:43:31 GMT -5
I think the deer have gone nocturnal. i got out this morning and found TONS of tracks. my brother-in-law said they were not there last night. some looked fresh this morning, very little snow in them or none at all. it was cold and on and off snow showers all day with some wind. I didnt see any deer till this after noon when i got up into a tree stand and as i turned to sit down i saw two bodies walking up the hill away from me. they where not too nervous. I thinkk i saw them about an hour later 200 yards off.
tomorrow it is going to be snowy, COLD(high of 18) and windy 20-25 mph with gusts upto 35. wind chills around zero. I think I'll just couch it tomorrow.
|
|
. hope to do better tomorrow and Saturday!