Tips for hunting in rain

[jonnyboy]

It seems like it's going to be raining this whole weekend, here on the eastside. I really want to hunt but I'm kinda discouraged with the rain. We don't get much rain down where I'm from in New Mexico. Does anyone still hunt when it's raining? If so what's some good tips for staying dry (besides wearing a rain jacket). Do you just hang out outside in rain gear, or build a shelter? I don't have a lot of rain gear, just a long, yellow rain jacket. I would like to not get hypothermia. I can handle cold, but wet and cold is a different story altogether. Thanks for the tips!

[deltaops]

Bets time to hunt is in the rain. When I was in Eastern WA for Modern Rifle, it was clear skies and no wind. It sucked bad.

[vandeman17]

I have had some great hunts in the rain. I shot one of my bigger whitetails when it was pouring. If you know the area, I would try to find a good tree or something to sit under where you can watch and then slowly move about. I am saying this because I have good gear that keeps me dry so take it for what it is. Another option would be to pick up a ground blind and post up somewhere in that.

[deerhunter_98520]

umm go back to new mexico if u don't want to hunt in the rain  ...this is Washington gotta get used to it....just buy some rain gear and hunt...you will get wet...you just try to stay as warm and dry as possible 

[jonnyboy]

umm go back to new mexico if u don't want to hunt in the rain  ...this is Washington gotta get used to it....just buy some rain gear and hunt...you will get wet...you just try to stay as warm and dry as possible 

I was thinking this side of the state didn't rain that much. I guess I was wrong. I will buy rain gear, but finances right now kinda prevents that, at least for a few weeks. I guess I could put it on the credit card 

[pianoman9701]

umm go back to new mexico if u don't want to hunt in the rain  ...this is Washington gotta get used to it....just buy some rain gear and hunt...you will get wet...you just try to stay as warm and dry as possible 

I was thinking this side of the state didn't rain that much. I guess I was wrong. I will buy rain gear, but finances right now kinda prevents that, at least for a few weeks. I guess I could put it on the credit card 

Welcome to the forum, JB. Welcome to WA. If you don't hunt in the rain, you won't get much hunting done. Suck it up. Get some good packable rain gear. Get in some thick stuff and kill something. Don't be afraid to sit down and start a fire if you get wet and cold. Makes the day really nice.

[deerhunter_98520]

Even just rubber rain gear will work...noisy but will work

[deltaops]

Hell if I had too,  I would wear a cut out plastic garbage bag under my clothes. I wish I could get out and hunt in the rain. It seems like when I get a chance to hunt, the weather is nice and the air is calm.. 

[RadSav]

I love hunting in the rain as my success usually goes WAY up!  Noise is covered up, movement is harder to detect, and scent is less likely to carry.

If you do not have good rainwear I wouldn't worry.  You can make short walks from the truck, go back get warm, change cloths if necessary, drive to a different spot and make another short walk into another spot.  If you get one down have Yard Waste trash bags (the big ones) to use as shelter or emergency rainwear.  I've used them as a skirt, held up with my belt, to keep my legs warm.  I know a few guides in the Canada back country that do this every time an animal hits the ground.  They told me it was to keep their cloths from getting bloody so they weren't attracting bear for the rest of the hunt. But it keeps your legs warm and dry too!

When the weather gets wet and nasty I also like to have fleece or wool.  With the emphasis on wool!  Can get heavy and wet, but it will continue to keep you warm.  There are also some spray on water resistant stuff you apply to any cloths just before throwing them in the dryer.  The stuff works great on my non-waterproof Sitka gear.  Big key for me is long johns.  I'd rather go cheap on my outerwear and spend the money on good long johns for wet weather.

May sound odd, but most people do not drink enough water when it's raining.  Make sure you keep very well hydrated.  Walking in the wet uses much more energy.  And if you do not drink enough water you will get fatigued.  That probably leads to more troubles with hypothermia than anything else.  A cheap emergency bivy and poncho isn't a bad idea to add to a fanny or day pack either.

NW animals tend to stay more active later into the day when the weather is wet and nasty.   Staying home on days like that is a true shame.  The more time you spend out in the nasty weather the more you will grow to like it. And if you get yourself accustom to it gradually you'll learn more and more what you like for outer wear without breaking the bank. The only guarantee is...you will always have a better chance of success when in the woods over staying at home sitting on the couch.

[10thmountainarcher]

I've seen far more deer in a light drizzle then I have in perfect weather. For some reason it seems like they're up moving around more..

[jonnyboy]

Awesome. I didn't realize that deer moved around more during the rain. I just assumed they wouldn't be moving around that much. I'm pretty stubborn so I definitely wouldn't skip out on hunting. You guys have a good point that there's a better chance in the woods than at home. Pretty much all I have are ponchos and the yellow rain jacket I mentioned earlier. I was just curious if people got by on those or if they had really nice rain gear.

RadSav, That's a real good idea about the trash bags as a skirt. I didn't think about that.

Hell if I had too,  I would wear a cut out plastic garbage bag under my clothes. I wish I could get out and hunt in the rain. It seems like when I get a chance to hunt, the weather is nice and the air is calm.. 

Is it better to put garbage bags under your clothes, or over? It would be noisy with it over your clothes wouldn't it? But your outerwear would be soaked and heavy if the plastic bags were under right?

Thanks everyone for the tips

[deerhunter_98520]

Just wear your yellow rain gear and when you can afford it buy some good rain gear...its worth IRS weight in gold

[sakoshooter]

The best tip I can think of for hunting in the rain is to wear a rain coat.
You're welcome.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I've found that deer will keep to open areas more when it's raining.  If they brush against a limb or something, the wet penetrates their fur, much like touching the inside of a canvas tent when it's wet.  They don't like being wet any more than we do!

Main thing is to stay dry.  Wet clothes wick the heat right out fast.  Dry clothes are good insulation.  I don't think color is that big a deal with deer.  Their eyes don't see color the same way as ours do.  Smell is more important to animals.  Be conscious of the air direction.  Their eyes are keyed more towards motion, so move slowly, or not at all, whenever possible.  Their hearing is phenominal, too!  They will hear a sound from 50 feet away that you can bearly hear making.

[washelkhunter]

In another 11 or 12 years or so you wont even notice the rain. In fact you'll actually feel out of sorts if it isn't raining. And the sun! The sun will become a mysterious golden orb that you will either involuntarily gravitate towards or recoil from; depending of course on the amount of moss growing on your back. Stars? Forget about them; purely a myth, as well as blue skies; blue! HA. Skies are grey! Hunting in the rain! HA! Hahahhahaahhaahhahahhhhaaaahaaa.   

[RadSav]

One thing to remember in the NW - Cotton Kills!  Try to avoid cotton at all costs in the PNW when wet weather is upon us.  Early in my hunting career I wore a lot of cotton because it was durable, quiet and archery seasons were generally hot and dry.  After a few close calls when temps at altitude dropped without warning from mid 90's to 50's will hail, wind and lightning I learned real quick...leave the cotton at home. 

A buddy of mine who found himself with no job, four kids and a steep mortgage also joined me in cutting it close on an Oregon back country hunt.  After a few days in a hotel room recovering from the damage of severe leg cramps he headed off to Goodwill and found some dress slacks made of some very fine knit wool.  He may have looked out of place, but those pants were sweet!  Perfect cut, just the right color, wore like iron, attracted very few burrs and amazingly quiet!  We hunted together for the next three years and even after his financial situation took a change for the better he continued to wear those pants.  And kick my behind in the animal harvest totals.

The last time we hunted together we were calling coyotes.  He made one of the best ghillie suits I've ever seen from an old wool sweater he found at Goodwill.  He took a crochet needle and knitted in strips of acrylic yarn (also from Goodwill) in different colors to blend well with the terrain we were hunting.  He said the whole thing cost him about $8.00.  At the end of two days of calling almost 48 hours straight I was a sore frozen mess while he was looking and feeling pretty good!  With a little creativity and planning you don't have to have a deep wallet to perform your best in the PNW.  You just have to be smarter than the average pipe fitter

[PolarBear]

The best tip for hunting in the rain...........  Just do it!

[jonnyboy]

One thing to remember in the NW - Cotton Kills!  Try to avoid cotton at all costs in the PNW when wet weather is upon us.  Early in my hunting career I wore a lot of cotton because it was durable, quiet and archery seasons were generally hot and dry.  After a few close calls when temps at altitude dropped without warning from mid 90's to 50's will hail, wind and lightning I learned real quick...leave the cotton at home. 

A buddy of mine who found himself with no job, four kids and a steep mortgage also joined me in cutting it close on an Oregon back country hunt.  After a few days in a hotel room recovering from the damage of severe leg cramps he headed off to Goodwill and found some dress slacks made of some very fine knit wool.  He may have looked out of place, but those pants were sweet!  Perfect cut, just the right color, wore like iron, attracted very few burrs and amazingly quiet!  We hunted together for the next three years and even after his financial situation took a change for the better he continued to wear those pants.  And kick my behind in the animal harvest totals.

The last time we hunted together we were calling coyotes.  He made one of the best ghillie suits I've ever seen from an old wool sweater he found at Goodwill.  He took a crochet needle and knitted in strips of acrylic yarn (also from Goodwill) in different colors to blend well with the terrain we were hunting.  He said the whole thing cost him about $8.00.  At the end of two days of calling almost 48 hours straight I was a sore frozen mess while he was looking and feeling pretty good!  With a little creativity and planning you don't have to have a deep wallet to perform your best in the PNW.  You just have to be smarter than the average pipe fitter

Awesome! That sounds pretty smart. I have some fleece jackets but I think all my pants and coats are cotton. I'll have to make a quick stop at goodwill.


I understand that to hunt in the rain you wear rain gear and sit out there. I'm just looking for tips for actually hunting deer, or good ideas that can help keep dry without breaking the bank. I could just go out and wear a $2 poncho from walmart (which is probably what I would've done) but I figured I could ask to get as many tips as I can from those more experienced than I am. I'm also new to deer hunting in general. The only deer I've shot was in a chili field across the road from where we lived. I jumped in the truck, drove over and shot it. I'm trying to actually hunt here, which is a learning curve in itself, and then throw in terrain and weather I'm not used to and it's a whole new animal.
I really appreciate all of the info and advice you guys have been giving.

In another 11 or 12 years or so you wont even notice the rain. In fact you'll actually feel out of sorts if it isn't raining. And the sun! The sun will become a mysterious golden orb that you will either involuntarily gravitate towards or recoil from; depending of course on the amount of moss growing on your back. Stars? Forget about them; purely a myth, as well as blue skies; blue! HA. Skies are grey! Hunting in the rain! HA! Hahahhahaahhaahhahahhhhaaaahaaa.   

However, I do admit that this was really funny. 

[turkeyfeather]

My best friend for hunting in the rain is my blind.

[bmccalister]

If your not hunting in a ground blind I would recommend quality rain gear and bibs. Pants allow a gap between your jacket and pants which can cause your lower back to get wet and cold, bids prevent this. I recommend quality rain gear because cheap rain gear wears out to quickly and can become saturated with rain after a while. So spend the money it will be worth it.