For those new to deer hunting, it can come as a shock to discover just how much weather impacts your chances of hitting a deer on any given day of hunting season. However, for experienced deer hunters like the ones at TC Outdoors, the complex interplay between deer activity and the weather is a secret weapon to ensure you can list an impressive buck on your harvest record.
Knowing how your local weather changes from day to day can be an invaluable tool during hunting season to track the patterns of deer. Deer hunting season in Georgia begins in the autumn and ends in the winter, which are some of the most temperamental seasons in Georgia. A clear and bright day can shift into a thunderstorm within hours, and this change will impact the deer in your area significantly. Fickle weather doesn’t allow a hunter to remain idle; be proactive in tracking the weather so you can pinpoint the best time to hunt deer.
Rain
Unlike hunters, rain isn’t a deterrent to a hungry deer. An evening rainstorm means nothing when there’s food to be eaten. Common wisdom states that a drizzle will increase deer activity to some degree and may even encourage less caution in bucks. Some hunters have reported catching their biggest buck on a rainy day!
However, moderation is key here. Studies have shown that while deer activity trends generally upwards during light rain, they’re much more likely to hunker down during a full-blown storm. These storms reduce a deer’s visibility and can dampen the noise of approaching predators, which means you’ll be heading home with nothing to show for it.
If you are considering hunting in the rain, remember to prepare appropriately for the weather. Waterproof hunting apparel and rainproofed blinds can be the difference between coming home damp and returning home soaked. While a bit of rain can be worth it for that one-in-a-lifetime buck, you don’t want to lose precious hunting days to illness.
We also suggest choosing a hunting gun that is appropriate for the weather. Water can impact the effectiveness of some firearms unsuited to hunting during rain and may damage them in the long run.
Barometric Pressure
As with many animals, deer are highly attuned to the atmospheric pressure! When the barometer trends upwards, so does the local deer population’s activity. It’s believed this spike in activity stems from a desire to prepare for extreme weather conditions. A deer, aware that bad weather is on the way, will eat as much as it can in order to weather out the upcoming storm or blizzard. Similarly, once that extreme weather passes, many deer who took shelter will come out of hiding and begin to move.
In the past, our ancestors would rely upon the deer population’s behavior for signs of bad weather approaching. Nowadays, we don’t need to monitor animal behavior to predict the weather; instead, we can use our high-tech tools to predict animal behavior through the weather. We recommend savvy hunters keep abreast of weather reports of forming storms and monitor the barometric pressure with a barometer. When you notice a rapid rise in pressure, prepare for a successful day of hunting.
Wind
Wind can be a double-edged sword when it comes to deer hunting. The impact of wind on deer activity has yet to be fully answered by science, but many hunters will tell you: No wind, no deer. High winds? High deer activity. Of course, much like rain, there’s still a bit of complexity at play with determining the best kind of weather to improve your chance of snagging a buck.
A common belief among hunters is that your best chances for active deer are during high, steady winds that trend toward one direction. Some have reported that if winds are far more chaotic, deer will grow paranoid as they can’t as quickly tell if a predator is approaching.
However, when hunting in the wind, you’ll want to be prepared. Wind can significantly impact the trajectory of your bullets, leading a clear shot to veer wildly off course. Different ammunition types can even be affected by various degrees. If you’re serious about hunting in strong winds, we recommend testing different ammunition types with paper targets to see how much you might need to correct out in the woods.
Temperature
While this may not be as true in the north, where cold temperatures can hit far more extreme levels, cold weather is some of the best times for many south-based hunters to get out in the woods in a hunting blind. During hot and humid days, deer tend to be far less active during daylight hours. Nocturnal whitetails will rarely venture out during legal hours, and most deers will aim to venture into the cooler areas of the woods.
As it turns colder, you’ll notice a much more active deer population roaming through your hunting grounds. Whether it’s because they’re searching for food to bulk up before the winter or the comfort of cooler weather encouraging more activity, a cold day is something to look out for.
Set Yourself Up for Hunting Success
No matter what the weather may be, a well-prepared hunter is a successful hunter. Figuring out the best deer hunting weather is only the first step in setting yourself up for a successful hunting season. Once you’ve familiarized yourself with how your local deer population handles the weather, it’s time to load up on all the gear to make snagging them a breeze.
TC Outdoors is happy to be your hunting headquarters for all your hunting supply needs. We have deer trail cams to monitor an area you suspect is bustling with activity during the hours you’re away and effective deer lures to help encourage deer activity near your hunting blind. If the perfect hunting day is on the horizon, we’ll help you prepare to make the most of it. We offer a rotating stock and will fulfill requests if what you want isn’t in stock. Don’t hesitate to contact us today or stop by our store located at 1242 Northside Dr E, Statesboro, GA 30458.