Coordinating Hunts with Forecasted Rain to Follow

Deck78 · Oct 16, 2013

So that title is probably a little confusing but wasn't sure how to briefly describe a new tactic I have tried this year for early season.

In addition to trying to reduce the number of early season hunts I make this year and trying to better hunt winds and food, I am trying to hunt the front side of rain events in hopes that I might leave less stink in the area. I know this is probably more of a mental thing for me vs a legit tactic but so far this season I have managed to get into the woods before the rain about 75% of my hunts. We've been so wet this year that it has been really easy. Anyone think there is merit to this strategy?
I am not running cameras on my hunting areas so other than the fact that I am still seeing deer on every sit, I have no way to correlate data. Just something to help ease the mind I guess...

BSK · Oct 16, 2013

Deck78 said:
Anyone think there is merit to this strategy?

Absolutely. I attempt to schedule camera-check days for just before a rain, if possible. Anything that reduces the scent/sign of your being in the area is going to be a help.

bowriter · Oct 16, 2013

Looking at our weather forecast, I have marked Thursday afternoon as 6, Friday morning as a 9, Friday afternoon a 7 and Sat. morning as a 9.5. But there is no way the forecast will hold true.

I am looking at temperature changes and not rain forecasts. I believe the deer will start to move as the temp drops and move more in the mornings if they are clear and sunny than afternoons. I am actually going to keep records and see if I am right but I may not be able to hunt Thurs. pm. It is a very seldom wife thing.

As an aside, I also place a high percentage on mature buck movement on Fri-Sat. mornings. Time frame from my view is 7:30-8:30.

I should also add, I do not have to consider my scent trail at all. That for me is never a factor in deer sightings.

WMAn · Oct 16, 2013

I tried to do that (scouting before a rain) yesterday, but the forecast continued to change throughout the day. Now, I'm not sure if we got enough rain to matter.

TLRanger · Oct 16, 2013

bowriter said:
Looking at our weather forecast, I have marked Thursday afternoon as 6, Friday morning as a 9, Friday afternoon a 7 and Sat. morning as a 9.5. But there is no way the forecast will hold true.

I am looking at temperature changes and not rain forecasts. I believe the deer will start to move as the temp drops and move more in the mornings if they are clear and sunny than afternoons. I am actually going to keep records and see if I am right but I may not be able to hunt Thurs. pm. It is a very seldom wife thing.

As an aside, I also place a high percentage on mature buck movement on Fri-Sat. mornings. Time frame from my view is 7:30-8:30.

I should also add, I do not have to consider my scent trail at all. That for me is never a factor in deer sightings.

John, sure hope you are right......Will be hunting in KY on the early muzzy Sat & Sun. Hope that 9.5 buck shows up!