How much wind is too much?

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PSEhunter

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Just got in my stand and realized the wind is a lot stronger than I realized. 10-12 mph, feels like gust are stronger than that. Has anyone seen much movement in the past in these conditions?
 
last 2 ml bucks i have killed have been on very windy days between 1200 and 2 pm but i was in a shooting house
 
Anything under 10 mph is usually not good due to variable wind shifts. 10-20 mph is ideal. When you get 25 mph or higher usually the deer will bed down and wait it out. Those heavy winds are good for stalking. In my experience at least.
 
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I think 15-20 is too much for good deer movement, no matter if it is in the right direction or not. I have seen and killed deer on windy days, but I normally do not see any. It is misreable cold as well. Hot or wind are days that I just don't like to go, especially hot and windy days.

I alwasy have the best luck when you cannot even tell the wind is blowing.
 
I had a spot I have been seeing deer every morning. Wind was right today and I hunted and didn't see a deer. I believe the higher than normal winds this morning did effect movement.

During the rut it doesn't really matter what the weather is.
 
It really depends on the terrain and individual properties. I've been on some properties that deer wouldn't move unless it is blowing 20+mph, but I have been on some properties where movement is really hampered by anything more than 10+mph.
 
I don't like to hunt above 15 mph, but have done it. However, normally, i hunt from the ground when it is over 15.

Anything over 10 mph can hamper deer movement IMO
 
I mainly hunt in the mountianous regions of southwest virginia, and from my past experience the windier the better especially in November and December....I have killed and seen some of my bigger bucks on very windy days 25+ mph....I hunt from the ground on those days as well...
 
TNDeerGuy said:
It really depends on the terrain and individual properties. I've been on some properties that deer wouldn't move unless it is blowing 20+mph, but I have been on some properties where movement is really hampered by anything more than 10+mph.
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I agree
 
My observation data strongly suggests that hunter observations of bucks decline as wind speed increases, with one exception: hunters experience an increase in buck sightings when the winds are absolutely roaring. Although those sightings almost always involve bucks "running scared" from all the wind movement.

As for the trend of declining buck sights with increased wind speed, I don't know if increased wind speed actually decreases buck movement or if the increase motion of trees, branch, and leaves in higher wind conditions simply makes observing bucks more difficult.
 
Always seen more activity on windy days. I like a good 10-15 mph wind. You can get to your stand without everything hearing you and you don't have to be as still in the tree. Never killed many mature deer on calm mornings. And the lighter the wind, the more it swirls...
 
And come on guys, a 10 mph wind ain't nothing.. What y'all want a recliner and blanket in the tree with you?? :whistle:
 
BSK said:
My observation data strongly suggests that hunter observations of bucks decline as wind speed increases
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I would guess because there are fewer hunters actually hunting in higher winds. I always see more deer movement in winds between 10-20. Those wind speeds are ideal for me.
 
Tomahawk said:
BSK said:
My observation data strongly suggests that hunter observations of bucks decline as wind speed increases
Click to expand...
I would guess because there are fewer hunters actually hunting in higher winds. I always see more deer movement in winds between 10-20. Those wind speeds are ideal for me.
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Nope. My data is "rate" data; i.e. bucks seen per hunting hour (total bucks seen divided by total hours hunted under each wind speed category), so the number of hunters doesn't matter.
 
I agree with BSK. Any time the wind gets 15+ it gets tough to see deer. I have never heard such talk about having good luck on windy days. It ain't because I don't hunt either. I just don't see them.
 
I don't like hunting in the wind, but when I decide to hunt, I hunt, regardless of the conditions. I've hunted when I had to literally tie myself into the tree (40+ MPH winds).
 
The 2nd most deer I've ever seen on 1 hunt was during a crazy snow storm a couple years ago in Smith County. The wind was 20-25 with 35mph gusts. Saw 17 deer within 1 hour. Was only in the stand for 30min, it WAS AWESOME!! My dad was hunting with me (rare occasion) and he didn't see a thing. Upon meeting at the truck he was complaining about how dumb we were til he saw blood on my hands :)
 
I've seen them lay down and I've seen them move. Usually when the wind is howling I don't hunt. Some of the times I have I've seen deer moving. I suspect the combination of wind and the noises associated with them (falling branches, etc) as well as all the movement created by high winds seriously spook deer because they can't take advantage of their defensive mechanisms. Surprisingly, when hunting or passing through large fields I've seen deer many times right out in the middle of them. I think maybe they feel safer there because they can see danger approaching across these fields and have time to flee.
 
Mike Belt said:
I've seen them lay down and I've seen them move. Usually when the wind is howling I don't hunt. Some of the times I have I've seen deer moving. I suspect the combination of wind and the noises associated with them (falling branches, etc) as well as all the movement created by high winds seriously spook deer because they can't take advantage of their defensive mechanisms. Surprisingly, when hunting or passing through large fields I've seen deer many times right out in the middle of them. I think maybe they feel safer there because they can see danger approaching across these fields and have time to flee.
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I agree Mike, in very high winds that last a while, as well as Pouring rain for hours, they will get out in the middle of huge fields, where they can rely on their eyes.
 
Mike Belt said:
Surprisingly, when hunting or passing through large fields I've seen deer many times right out in the middle of them. I think maybe they feel safer there because they can see danger approaching across these fields and have time to flee.
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I've seen the same thing, and agree with your reasoning Mike.
 

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