hunting in the rain.

[whyohe]

I was wondering how many of you archery hunt in the rain? I am a bit leary to do it. if its a light drissle i will but if it starts to rain I dont. I have had the experiance of tracking deer in the rain and it is no fun . so i prefer not to do it. that and getting wet isnt fun either ;D.

[Harley]

Last year I bowhunted in a light rain; sat on my stand for three hours, totally soaked. I didn't mind the discomfort, but won't do it again because my bow developed rust around several components.

Now, I carry a large folded garbage bag in my pack; if it starts to rain I put my bow in it and call it a day.

Harley

[dougedwards]

When I was a youngster it didn't bother me one bit. But now I might hunt in a light drizzle and install a tree hung umbrella. Tracking a wounded deer in the rain is almost futile.

Doug

[smokeless77]

If I saw a good buck in the area that I was hunting I'm going after him and I'm getting wet.

John

[Dave W]

I have always liked hunting in the rain, especially now that I buy Gore Tex gear. ;D

Light rain I will take the shot without thinking about it. Hard rain, probably not.

I was in a stand along a powerline right-of-way couple years ago. Thunderstorm hit about 8:00am, cats and dogs stuff, about that time a nice 9pt casually walks out and stands there just begging for it. I knew if he piled up on the powerline, which was multiflora rose heaven, no way I was going to be able to track, let alone find him. I passed on the shot.

Something about rain seems to make the bucks move better, as long as high wind doesn't come with it.

[wilmsmeyer]

Like most of you, I won't stay out there in heavy rain. I would prefer a light drizzle to heavy winds EVERY time. If you make a bad hit, you will have trouble no matter if it's rainy of clear. If you make a lethal hit, most times Stevie Wonder would still be able to find the deer IME & IMO.

Some of the umbrellas and clothing do make it possible to get a few more hours out of a bad day. Try this: Let your bow slowly load up with water. Of course an arrow is nocked during this "load up". Then pick up your bow as gently as possible and draw it stealthily as possible and shoot it. See if your POI changes. This is not a trick question. I don't know the answer....just wonder how a soaking wet bow and arrow fairs when shot.

[dougedwards]

Bow strings do absorb water to some extent no matter what material they are made of which is why it is important to keep them waxed. I would assume that POI would change somewhat as a soaked arrow is propelled from a bow that is soaked with water. Not sure how much though. My assumption is that it wouldn't be significant 30 yards and in.

Doug

[sagittarius]

I have been soaked 2 out of the past 4 weekends and find it a miserable experience.
Had rust all over my sight and arrow rest on my compound.
No rust at all on the compound, itself, as it has mostly brass and stainless fasteners.
My crossbow had a bit of rust on a fastener but not too bad.
Hoppe's gun cleaner did the trick with both, removing the rust.
Next time I think it might rain, I will be hunting from inside my Rhino XP-1 blind !

[tdillinger]

Just returned from a half day hunt, its been rainig heavy off and on since the day afetr opening day (Oct 2). I went out at 1 this afternoon, sat tight through some showers and then nothing. Then a light Drizzle, saw my first two button bucks at 3:30 40 YDS trotting at half mast 40 yds opposite bank of river bottom. 10 mins later a small doe same path, no flag slow trot. Rain again until about 6pm and then all went calm. Last 5 minutes of light i finally see a nice large mature buck. To far at 80 yds. But it made the whole hunt sitting in the rain. Everything i have is waterproof as far as clothiing with exception to gloves, cant find a pair of thin gloves that are water proof. Dont get rust i dry and lube and wax as needed. Archery is the best. I am getting to the point where i dont even want to hunt with firearms anymore. October till Mid November is magical and to see all the happenings are absolutely glorious and I feel many will never experience all that is possible by being in the field. Best of luck to all and embrace your opportunities.

[deadeye]

in 20plus years & sometimes rain,i have only witnessed maybe 2 sightings' in rain that i can remember,if its raining when i awake,back to to bed. if it starts after im out there i'll stay the course,i'll take bloodtrialer's advice & go out just after the rain,did this last week & saw 6,more than all the years compiled while raining.

[bloodtrailer]

Rain no, drizzle or fog a BIG YES seems to relax the deer, but you better be ready to track fast before the blood trail washes away( drizzle) BUT if you hit them right you just might see them tip over(No ;D tracking)

[redspinner3]

40years bow hunting, stopped some in the rain, but fog no luck see them but hard to tell the range they look close with only fog surrounding them.

[stubblejumper]

Where I live its spot and stalk mule deer, no trees = no treestands. I've found a light rain will cover a lot of noise and gets rid of the usual crunch of the grass we have in the fall. Also less chance of the deer moving between the time you spot him and the actual stalking. They seem to sit tighter. When I have been in a stand in a rain there has usually been very little movement. Just my experience though.

[jeremylong]

wilmsmeyer - If you have moleskin or felt on your rest, you better shoot it once wet! It drops POI like a rock! No kidding.
That said I have had some good luck hunting in the rain. Just make sure no feathers and no felt or moleskin on the rest.
I cant say I have shot very far, but I have for sure killed deer when it was raining hard.

[toosensitive]

Light rain is good. Son took this nice 10 pt 11/11/08 while it was chasing a doe...on public ground no less. Ran up hill for 40 yds before rolling back down. I have taken several bucks in the rain...not a down pour, but a steady rain. If lightening or thunder I stay home.

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[dougedwards]

Nice!