Hunting in the wind.

[Mike32]

How many of you guys hunt in high winds? I've never really hunted much when is windy but was wondering who does and if they are seeing deer movement.

[Evanszach7]

I usually cap out high wind hunting at 30 mph. I’ve got a couple hill country spots that I wait for a high and steady wind. Decreases swirling and bucks seem to move more especially during pre rut.

[Aaron1987]

We actually prefer hunting moderate to high winds. Agree with Evanszach7 on the 30 mph mark. It get's higher than that and movement will shut down or they'll move into low lying areas.

[hambone]

I have had good hunting for mature bucks in windy conditions. I agree with the others, around 30mph seems to be the magic cut-off number.

[Grizzlyadam]

Contrary to what I was always lead to believe, moderate to high winds gets the big boys on their feet where I hunt. Really heavy winds with branches coming down and stuff not so much. But high enough to keep most hunters on the couch is when I'm swaying in a tree. Bonus that you can get away with more movement and noise trying to get close to bedding in places you would otherwise not push it too far.

[Mike32]

Thanks guys, this is very encouraging. I have a few places I think I could use higher winds to my advantage just never thought that the deer would move. Thanks for all the response's keep them coming. I appreciate it!!!

[Ghost Hunter]

Give me temps in upper 80's and stiff wind with gust out of North with temps dropping. I will be there.

[dan]

yEARS AGO I DID NOT LIKE HIGH WIND... But now I have learned it is a great asset.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeZcWzUexOs

[RidgeGhost]

I hate the wind, but I like hunting high wind days. Really seems to concentrate them on the leeward side of a ridge.

[Jdw]

I have seen good movement on windy days also.

I have learned the hard way that bucks will move their bedding down to a lower elevation, in hilly terrain to take advantage of the stronger air currents.

[Bowhunter4life]

Big fan of high winds. One of my biggest deer I took to date was on a warm windy day. It allowed me to slip in closer than I normally would have beeen able to get. The way the hills were positioned near that bedding area it took a good steady wind to carry my scent out of that area. Most of the time in winds 10mph and below I get a lot of swirling there. Have many spots that I will only hunt if the wind is up around that 15 plus range.

[SEMObowhunter]

I like it in that 10-20 mph range. Anything less and you get lots of swirling. If it is sustained at 10mph you get a lot more consistency without that puffing that causes you to get every wind direction in a matter of minutes. I hate when the forecast shows “light and variable” winds. You knows it will be tough. Much over 25 and it effects movement negatively I feel also, unless it’s during the rut then all factors are out the window for the most part.

[Killtree]

I am not real crazy about being in a tree when its windy, but I sure like still hunting in it.

[ghoasthunter]

i like hunting wind if it gets to high though im down working the leeward ridges i stay on upper 1/3 and watch down the deer tend to bed lower in wind and like getting up against boulders ledges and blow downs. i missed my biggest buck of season last year working along like this. and killed a bunch more bucks and does laying in there beds. its even better when its heavy rain or snow.

[Dewey]

I have seen 3 of my top 5 bucks plus many other “shooters” on super windy days. Something about the real strong winds gets them on their feet. Stanley and I discussed that a lot and he had many similar stories over the years. I no longer dread hunting on windy days especially during the rut.