Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Evoac05 on October 27, 2012, 03:00:54 PM
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I have heard that when it rains, blacktail tend to move around more. If so, do they stay more in the timber or will they come out into the clear cuts?
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Generally, this time of year, rain doesn't effect their movement much. If it gets real nasty, they may hunker down under a tree. A heavy wind will keep them out of the timber because they can't hear as well and will want to be able to see danger coming.
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I prefer it raining and windy ...and I would die to have a tag in my pocket right this minute ...But I am patiently waiting for late archery ...I have been seen more bucks day by day and I would take someone if I did not need to save one for me :dunno: :chuckle:
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Based on this mornings hunt I cant help you much, I went for a 2.5-3 mile hike through clearcuts and timber and lots of rain in an area that I see deer pretty regular. I didn't see any deer but the elk were definitely out and about, saw 2 small herds 5-7 elk in each group including 1 bull that was very respectable for the Coweeman unit, looked all over for him during early archery. :bash:
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from my limited experience, seems like more are out during the rain. Also the rain helps you sneak up a little better. I had a doe walk within 5 yards of me yesterday in the pouring rain, she froze and looked at me for about 5 minutes within 20 ft of me trying to figure out if I was a tree or not. still having seen any bucks other than a sub legal spike. These skagit co blacktails continue to elude me :bash:
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I hiked around this morning and spotted 3 doe. I set up in a spot that overlooked the clear cut they were in and the timber they walked into. I was hoping a buck would walk by in the same area as the doe, but nothing. :bash:
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Actually seen deer this morning for the first time all season! But it was so foggy this morning couldn't make out does or a buck. :bash: The deer are out more, but it sucks to hunt in weather like this. Especially when it's foggy. It's already hard to see into the timber, and with the fog? Forget it! Or glass across a fogged over clear cut for that matter. I'd still be out there, but with fog as a factor it's nearly pointless. I was getting soaked for nothing. The deer I did see were scarcely 20 yards away, and I could barely make out the movement of something grey and a tail in the air running away from me. Maybe tomorrow will be better :dunno:
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IMO the rain doesn't get them moving more but it does dampen (forgive the pun) the noise you make so you can sneak around better. Same with wind. Harder for a deer to hear you when it's raining and blowing.
I do think cold gets them moving. If I was a buck I would be more apt to take a nap in the shade on a warm day. Cold, miserable and stormy I'd get up and walk around to keep warm.
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I've found that the rain dosent change their movement much. If it stops raining and the sun comes out you should be out there. it seem as though they like to get out of the wet brush and sun themselfs . Living in washington i have shot alot of deer in the rain. Half have been beded and half have been out moveing around. Good luck!
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been hunting this nasty downpour for a week +, dont see a different, in fact we stopped even seeing does when the rain started :dunno:
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I shot my biggest blacktail 10 min after a torrentle down pour quit in GMU633......... it was magical i jumped 6 deer in about 100 yards...
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seen 11 does today, more deer than I saw on any other hunt this season. I'm starting to believe they like the rain.
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Yea the blacktails were on the move today. Saw a doe after I got my buck. Was in a foot of snow yesterday and they were moving a little but the rain and warmer weather seemed to have the deer moving towards higher elevations today
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Rain like the wind will drive them out of the timber, but I dont think it makes them move around alot, they hunker down in clearings and openings or big moss covered rocks in the timber. I shot my biggest blacktail during a down pour in a 2yr old clear cut. He was right on the edge of timber line.
Today I sat in the rain all day, dark to dark, and didn't even see a doe :chuckle: It's gonna happen tomorrow though :chuckle:
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Usually I can't wait for wind and rain. But this modern season no one in my family has been seeing deer and usually we're seeing 20-40 a day on days like today. Today was the first day I've seen more than 2 deer a day this season, 7 total today which is equal to what I've seen the entire modern season...but 2 were bucks while I was grouse hunting alone :bash:
During my archery season I was seeing 20+ a day. And passing on multiple spikes and 2pts. I have never seen a drop off in deer number from September to October until this year :dunno:
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Man oh man I love hunting black tails in the rain. For me its the best hunting condition's. An old timer once told me that the deer's coat acts like natural rain gear the water will bead up and role off and for the most part the deer's skin will stay dry. Well he told me that in the deep brush the deer get soaked just we do and the water penetrates there hair from being pushed around. And thats why for the most part you will see more deer out in the open like grassy roads, clear cuts and fields when its raining like a cow pissin on a flat rock. The water will role off them and they dont get as uncomfortable from the rain.
