Reasons That Deer Hunting In The Rain Can Pay Off
While you might not feel overly fortunate when you wake up on the morning of a hunt and see that it's raining, this weather may be lucky. The idea of whitetail deer hunting in the rain isn't very appealing, but as long as you pack the right waterproof gear and have some different ways of staying warm, you can maintain a decent degree of comfort throughout much of the day. Lots of deer hunters try to avoid hunting in the rain, but if you're up to the task, you may find that it can be successful for you. Here's why.
There's Less Competition
Having competition when you hunt can be problematic. While conscientious hunters will endeavor to avoid being too close to others, the fact is that many hunters may be present in your area. One hunter's noise can send the prey fleeing in the opposite direction, which can be highly frustrating for you. A simple advantage of hunting in the rain is that you'll have fewer people competing for the same deer with you. This can mean that there's a higher chance of you getting the kill.
The Rain Can Disguise You
One of the easiest ways to scare away your prey is by inadvertently making a noise. Even if you're quiet for 99 percent of the hunt, stepping awkwardly and stumbling, or perhaps even getting something in your nose and repeatedly sneezing, may make enough noise for the nearby deer to hear, thus scaring them away. When you hunt in the rain, the falling rain provides a steady soundtrack in the area. This is especially true if it's raining hard. This means that you can more easily walk and move without making noticeable sounds.
The Deer May Be Seeking Shelter
When deer are on the move, it can often be difficult to successfully hunt them unless you've advance scouted the area and know exactly where they're likely to be headed. In the rain, however, you'll commonly find that deer look for sheltered areas and spend their time there, rather than do a lot of walking out in areas in which they'd get wet. If you know the area you're hunting well and have previously identified some areas where the deer are apt to seek shelter, you may have success tracking them down in these locations.
Hunting in the rain may not be the most comfortable experience, but if you're willing to tough it out, you may find your hunt to be very successful.
