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Hunting during a windy day?

Old 10-07-2013 | 11:23 AM
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Default Hunting during a windy day?

If the wind is blowing a little more then average? Do you still hunt? I am shooting roughly around 25 yards take or give 5 yards. It shouldn't effect the distance too much does it?

Last edited by The Green Horn Hunter; 10-07-2013 at 11:31 AM.
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Old 10-07-2013 | 11:39 AM
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GHH,
It depends which direction the wind blows but probably at a deer sized target and a good hold and shot it probably is ok.
In my case I get to hunt whenever there is no work so when I get a chance to hunt I just go and make the call when it happens.
Last thursday and friday on the eastern shore of Maryland I got to hunt , it was high 80's in the afternoon but that was the time I hunted.
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Old 10-07-2013 | 01:01 PM
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Thank you kindly Daddus1, I am going to be bringing my Xbow and a camera, If the wind is too much and I happen to see some deer, I will shoot it with a cannon. If the wind has died down during this time where I can pick up my crossbow and quietly load a bolt into the rail, I will do so. So it's going to either by the cannon or my Xbow, I'll let you guys know!
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Old 10-12-2013 | 03:09 PM
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If it's that windy then I hunt on the ground and try to get them close before I shoot.
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Old 10-13-2013 | 06:42 AM
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Deer get too spooky on very windy days, don't come out till late. It's not just the hit but blowing fallen leaves make tracking more challenging. I lay low if it's that windy; being retired and hunting full time makes it easy call.
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Old 10-13-2013 | 11:09 PM
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Windy days are some of the best to "still hunt".
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Old 10-17-2013 | 03:57 PM
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Strong cross winds are an issue as I see it. Winds blowing at you or away from you are not.

I have no data to back me up on this, but if the cross wind is whipping the tree limbs pretty good I try to compensate about 1" towards the wind direction per 15 yards and take only shots that give me a large kill area. About 40 yards is my self imposed limit ... so a 2" - 3" windage is about all I'll ever adjust for.

Now if the wind is in the 30-40 mph range or greater .... I am usually sacking in for the day !!.
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Old 10-21-2013 | 09:22 PM
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Green Horn,

You did not say what bow you are hunting with or arrows, fletches & razor heads used. And in combination these things can change the amount of defection a lot.

But even with a bow shooting 300fps, large fixed blade head, 5" vanes or feathers, light for bow arrows I very much doubt you'd see more than 2-3" of deflection at 25 yds in moderate winds...........up to 15mph. And if you are shooting a arrow that has a mech. razor head, 3" long or less & .5" or lower fletches......then about 1.5" or less at 25yds.

Every set up is different, best way to KNOW is to go shoot some target in a cross wind that is as strong as any you care to hunt in. The more practicing you do in cross wind conditions the better your "feel" for this will become.

I shoot a bow that runs 425 fps with 400gr. arrows. But I use a 440 gr. arrow, with mech. Reaper razor heads, 2.7" goat tuff fletching. At 25 yds I'd not even consider windage @ 15mph crosswind.

Profile means more in wind IMO than arrow weight, most of all at modest ranges like you posted.

Like others said, within reason, hunt whenever you can.
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Old 10-22-2013 | 08:30 AM
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A good steady wind is great as long as you are hunting into the wind and dont take any long shots. I would rather hunt in those conditions than a swirlling wind that blows your scent all over the place.
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Old 10-22-2013 | 08:54 AM
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Thank you guys, Craig, As the name states I am shuch a green horn hunter, I know what the flecting is and I know what the vanes are, But as for the names of the I.E brand name? I have no clue, I am using Pile driver bolts if that helps.
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