Pennsylvania Game News - December 2017 - 60

unpleasant endeavor more bearable.
And such conditions can pay dividends. Cold weather requires deer eat
more frequently to maintain body temperature. Consequently, they can be up
and active just about any time of day.
However, I've long ago abandoned
my all-day, cold-weather sits in favor of
hunting early to late morning, or going
out earlier in the afternoon.
In my experience, these hours have
proven the most productive for seeing
deer, and they've provided more shooting
opportunities.

Feeding in Light Rain
Deer seem to love feeding out in open
fields in a light, misty rain. Consequently,
I have several stands on field edges bordering deeper woods.
I make it a point to hunt these stands if
a light rain is falling.
However, if rain is heavy and accompanied by high wind, deer most likely will
lay low until the front passes.
After the rain ends, the air is filled with
moisture, which makes it easier for deer to
smell predators and other trouble.
This could be one reason why deer
activity seems to increase after a storm.

They Still Move in Wind
Deer depend on the wind to sense
danger.
A slight to moderate breeze seems to
keep them at ease, but stronger winds and
gusty conditions compromise their senses
and tend to make them skittish.
In high winds, deer are more likely
to confine activities to deeper woods or
conifer thickets. On each of the farms
I hunt, I have spots near conifer stands
bordering thick cover. I've discovered
I'm more likely when strong winds blow
to see deer in these places than in others.
60

I used to believe deer don't move as
much during periods of gusty wind, but
recent research suggests otherwise.
And if you think about it, deer need to
eat regardless of wind conditions.
When the wind is blowing hard, I've
learned to look for them in areas that provide protection from strong winds, such as
the lee side of a hill or a thicket.
If the wind blows hard all night, the following morning frequently is an excellent
time to hunt.
This might be because a deer's inability
to detect danger keeps it sitting tight on
windy nights. In addition, nighttime winds
often cause air currents to swirl, making it
much more difficult for deer to pinpoint
the source of a threat. When night fades,
they seem more inclined to feed.
On the flip side, deer activity also
seems to diminish when the air is calm.
My field notes show deer sightings
seem to increase when there is at least a
moderate wind.
It's likely because a light wind or
breeze aids a whitetail's sense of smell,
especially for detecting danger or for
finding other deer.
Before heading out to my hunting
stands each day, I tune in to the local
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration weather report broadcast
from our local airport. I note the weather
conditions, especially the predicted prevailing wind direction and speed, then
plan my hunt accordingly.
My attitude when it comes to bowhunting is that you can't kill a deer sitting at
home. Too many hunters think, because
it's raining or the wind is blowing, their
chances of seeing deer diminish. If you
don't want to get wet or sit in a swaying tree, stay home and wait for better
weather. As for me, unless it's a tropical
downpour, I'm going hunting.
Pennsylvania Game News - December 2017

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