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.

In this part of the country a hardy wind means a storm is coming with heavy rain. They usually head for thick cove till the wind dies down . They eat and then lay back down till the storm passes then eat hevy because of the moisture in the food. Light rain does not seem to bother there activities much around her anyway.