Hunting in high winds?
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Botetourt County, VA
Posts: 203
Hunting in high winds?
I'm trying to decide if I should go and attempt an evening hunt tonight. The wind forecast is for 11 MPH with gusts up to 23 MPH. I'm looking outside right now at a lot of branches swaying around on the trees and it doesn't look to promising. It usually calms down a bit that last hour of daylight which is the golden hour of movement.
Have you ever had any success in winds like I've mentioned? With the way my stands are set up, the worst case, if the wind direction is right, is to deal with a slight quartering tailwind going to my left. I could swing my climber around and deal with the crosswind though, but I'd be limiting my shooting lane area. Your thoughts are welcome, but either way I'm out the door at 1430 for my evening hunt.
Have you ever had any success in winds like I've mentioned? With the way my stands are set up, the worst case, if the wind direction is right, is to deal with a slight quartering tailwind going to my left. I could swing my climber around and deal with the crosswind though, but I'd be limiting my shooting lane area. Your thoughts are welcome, but either way I'm out the door at 1430 for my evening hunt.
#2
RE: Hunting in high winds?
I never have had much success hunting in high winds but I have taken a few deer during the middle of the day when the wind was blowing extrememly hard. During high winds I prefer to hunt hardwood ridges rather than anything close to a field.
#3
RE: Hunting in high winds?
I have noticed deer moving more cautiously in strong winds, probably because they can't hear anything, but I have seen them moving around nonetheless. My main concern is making a quality shot in a swaying tree. That adds a bit of a challenge.
#7
RE: Hunting in high winds?
I gave up hunting in high winds unless it's a cold front moving in, especially with snow. I did take one P&Y and viewed many big bucks under these conditions, but otherwise it's a waste.
#8
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Botetourt County, VA
Posts: 203
RE: Hunting in high winds?
I just got back from my high wind evening hunt and the only game animal I saw was a black bear. Once the surprise wore off, I anticipated a kill on this beast. The closest he got to my stand was about 44 paces. It looked more like 40 yards from my stand. I was presented with a perfect broadside shot at that distance, but I didn't take the shot. Why? Well, I just havn't shot enough arrows with 100 gr. Muzzys on them at that distance. []
I was really hoping that he would have came closer, but he angled off to the left. So at least I know I didn't get winded because it's rare to see black bears if they wind you first. I was waiting for that 25 yard shot, as I want the thing dead and not wounded. So the day was not a total loss, as this is the first time I've ever seen a black bear while on stand.
I was really hoping that he would have came closer, but he angled off to the left. So at least I know I didn't get winded because it's rare to see black bears if they wind you first. I was waiting for that 25 yard shot, as I want the thing dead and not wounded. So the day was not a total loss, as this is the first time I've ever seen a black bear while on stand.