Hunting in a thunderstorm

[TomMurphyNY]

Finally getting out in the woods today for the first time this season. Rain is one of my favorite conditions to hunt in but scattered thunderstorms will be in the area. That’s not going to stop me from going out but I was wondering, does anyone have good experience of seeing bucks with scattered thunderstorms in the area?

[dan]

I arrowed a giant 8 point once ion a thunderstorm. Might want to avoid big trees and not canoe or boat in. ...

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[TomMurphyNY]

I arrowed a giant 8 point once ion a thunderstorm. Might want to avoid big trees and not canoe or boat in. ...
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Nothing like the beast himself replying to give you even more confidence!!! Looking at a hill country hunt today. Going to use those conditions to my advantage and find the best sign on the hill to set up on.

[minnesotahunter]

Good luck!

[PK_]

Lots of good hunts with thunderstorms around. Killed this particular buck during a tropical storm, just got a break in the weather and he popped out.



Go get em. I would look for scrapes if possible.

[MuskieHunterDave]

My biggest worry with hunting during a thunderstorm/hard rain will be the lose of the blood trail. Don't any of you guys worry about that?

[RyanQ]

I got my biggest in a rain storm with 25+mph winds a couple years back. The thunder wasn't rolling through yet but was later that night.

[greenhorndave]

Well, it appears that the bad weather only scares off the hunters!

Those are some absolute stud bucks!

[MichiganMike]

My biggest worry with hunting during a thunderstorm/hard rain will be the lose of the blood trail. Don't any of you guys worry about that?

Exactly why I dont hunt thunderstorms or heavy precipitation. Im all about being a beast and and aggressive- but common sense kicks in at some point. Ive lost a couple good bucks in these conditions. Never again.

[Maverick1]

Absolute downpour = not hunting.

Scattered rainstorms = hunting.

Mist = absolutely hunting.

[Ognennyy]

I've only ever killed one buck with my bow. I spent like an hour to walk the last 100 yards to my tree stand in the pitch black pre-dawn, and get set up all nice and quiet. When that "magic hour" first light come upon me I heard thunder in the distance, and it started raining. No sooner did the thought of "son of a.... you gotta be kidding me," go through my mind than I saw the doe and buck coming.

I love hunting on the edge of storm systems. The wind and noise cover my entrance very well.

[Huntress13]

Here it is supposed to switch winds too, going from NW to NE during the 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. range. Trying to figure out my plan. I'm going to bring my leafy suit in case the winds start rocking, I can get out of the tree and hunker down. My question is would you sway to keep in sync with the foliage around you?

[RyanQ]

I think some guys are confusing scattered T storms with down pours. Also, it is possible guys lacked a good blood trail in general and it wasn't the rain. There are many variables, but as long as it isn't heavy down pours, it isn't stopping me.

[MichiganMike]

I think some guys are confusing scattered T storms with down pours.Also, it is possible guys lacked a good blood trail in general and it wasn't the rain. There are many variables, but as long as it isn't heavy down pours, it isn't stopping me.

Yes good point. I don't intentionally go to hunt in heavy precipitation and I would hope everyone has the same intention. You cant control or predict weather for the most part, but if it starts getting really heavy Im getting down. Plenty of better weather days to hunt. It was years ago- but the bucks I shot was just before it got really heavy. I do take responsibility for not making a good shot, but if it wasn't so heavy rain and snow, my chances of recovering them would obviously of been much better. Just hate to lose another one and I wouldn't want anyone else to go through it either-for the sake of both you and the animal.

[Dewey]

Seen good bucks in storms but lightning gets me out of a tree now. Hunting solo tall trees in the middle of marsh terrain with very few tall landmarks during a lightning storm can get hairy real fast. Kinda like being in a boat. I’ve had way too many close encounters with lighting striking very close and seen how it can explode large trees.