I was hunting early this morning till noon in some heavy woods (we have a late antlerless only season here in VA) at a stand that was just near the top of a north/south ridgeline, about 1200’ elevation. The weather was clear, cold (from about 25° to just– just below freezing) and VERY windy. I did not think it would be so bad as the forecast called for 5-10 mph winds. It was more like 15-25 with occasional gusts above 30, with the wind coming from the west, right up to my stand. I did not see one deer and this area has a good population. I don't always get a shot due to the heavy cover, but I almost always see something.

So where were they? I checked the leeward side of the ridgeline. I found quite a few bedding areas and the ridgeline itself is like a deer super highway with trails and such but I did not see or hear anything. I’m thinking that in high winds maybe the deer stay in the valleys to avoid the worst of the winds. What do you think?