I don' t think the rain really affects the elk much at all. I only bowhunt, so a blood trail will get washed away if it is raining. So I do not hunt during the rain, but just after the rain the bulls seem to get more vocal. I have never hunted with a rifle but from what I have heard an elk won' t go far if the shot is placed correctly. So hunting in the rain with modern fire arms should be ok. Wind is another thing elk seem to be a little more on edge as one of there sences, hearing, is not working well. Smoke in the air like from a forest fire also works against the elk. It works well as a cover scent for us archers, there noses don' t work as well.