I' m think about hanging a stand on Saturday. As the forcast stands now it will rain Friday night. My question is: Will the woods being damp from the rain help keep my scent to a minimum? Or is it just like going out when its dry? I know it would be best to go tomorrow afternoon before the rain but time isn' t going to permit it.

Anyone???????? I really need to know because I don' t want to ruin this spot!

Just go ahead and hang the stand now. At least it will be in place for future hunts later on this season. Is this area closest to a bedding area or to a feeding area? The reason I ask is because the deer are more likely to be in the feeding areas early and late (AM and PM) while the bedding areas are more likely to be occupied in the mid-day hours. Determine which it is at this stand location and hang the stand at the appropriate time. That is, hang your stand when the deer aren' t likely to be in the area. You might still get busted but hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Good luck.

I think the wind, rain and snow will be to your advantage. I think it' d be better than going out on a dry day.

Take as many precautions as you normally would and hang the stand. As Jeramy said, the weather is to your advantage.

So the rain on Friday night will help me out on Saturday afternoon?

Yep, but its like Txbow said this means getting as scent free as possible. Try to keep the racket to a minumum. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

I would probably hang it and hunt it the same day. It will help you keep the element of surprise. Deer can smell your scent for hours after you' re gone and they may become weary. Or maybe they won' t! I' ve seen deer walk the same path that I used only slightly after I' ve set up. I guess it all depends on how much human traffic the deer are used to. Or maybe because I spray my boots and legs with scent eliminator and they don' t detect me as well. If you hunt an area where no human sets foot all year, then definitely hang it and hunt it the same day. If it' s an area where the deer may see through hikers throughout the year, then they are probably used to it anyway. In any case, good luck!!!