Rain and high winds tomorrow...some questions...

[blackradio]

First year hunter here. Logged 42 hours hunting so far this regular season. I saw 6 deer all season, had a clear shot opening day on a small doe but decided to pass in hopes to see a bigger doe, and two days ago I jumped 5 does hunting with a buddy on unfamiliar land but no shot. So, no deer for me.

The mountain I hunt has a ton of acorns around and a lot of thick mountain laurel thicket where the deer bed. A lot of deer activity. I've hunted a spot for the past 2 days where there's a rock face overlooking the mountain laurel (which you cant see into) and there's acorns all around. I've been sitting and waiting hoping I'd catch deer going in or out of their beds. Nothing. Got cold yesterday and sick of not seeing anything so I figured I'd try to slip into the laurel where I see tracks in and out of. Well I made it 30 feet in and it sounded like a tital wave. A bunch of deer get up and make a break for it. 100 feet from where I was sitting for hours. If only I could sneak into the thicket without the crunching leaves because I know they're in there.

Tomorrow is the last day of the season and I'd hate to sit home because of the rain. Really determined to get a deer (have doe and buck tags.) 2" of rain and 20mph+ wind gusts. Wind is supposed to be blowing in the opposite direction of the thicket, in my favor. Is it a good idea to use the wind and rain as a sound cover to sneak into the laurel and see if I can find them bedded? Any tips? I know they're there.

[Robinson446]

id go in where u said u spoooked a bunch of deer 100 feet away from u. If its windy and raining they will be bedded down and the sound of the wind will help u sneak up on them. and the rain will soften the leaves so it wont crunch as u walk. GOOD LUCK

[Santamour123]

Does not matter what the weather is.  It is a whole lot easier to kill them from the woods than sitting home on the couch.  You can do that for the next 9 months!!!

[Bleitten04]

I would try sneaking in there also.  There def. gonna be bedded down with rain or high winds.  Also the wind and rain will def. make your approach a lot quieter.  right before the storm hits will probably be the best time to try to catch something sneaking in. 

[blackradio]

I would try sneaking in there also.  There def. gonna be bedded down with rain or high winds.  Also the wind and rain will def. make your approach a lot quieter.  right before the storm hits will probably be the best time to try to catch something sneaking in.

I think it's supposed to be freezing rain/sleet tonight then as it warms in the morning it's gunna turn to rain and go into Monday. I'm gunna go out midday and try to sneak in.

[DanceswithSkunks]

Is there any place in the laurel where you can get up in a tree? I'd get in early, ready to go an hour before light, and catch them as they return to bed down. Then again with this weather they may already be hunkered down in the laurels already. Too bad you don't have a patner to do two man drives with.

[the blur]

Sounds like where I hunt in Zone 3.

But I choose option #2:

sit home due to the freezing rain, and forecast for rain all day.

My life isn't worth it.  I have been out in freezing rain before, and it's simply not worth it.

[Robinson446]

And thats why you wont get anything. =P

Sounds like where I hunt in Zone 3.

But I choose option #2:

sit home due to the freezing rain, and forecast for rain all day.

My life isn't worth it.  I have been out in freezing rain before, and it's simply not worth it.

[blackradio]

Came up empty handed. Slipped into the laurel pretty damn slowly and quietly and no deer to be found. But there is a ton of the stuff around so they could be in any of it. No deer for me this season but I learned a lot for next year.

[Doc]

And thats why you wont get anything. =P

Sounds like where I hunt in Zone 3.

But I choose option #2:

sit home due to the freezing rain, and forecast for rain all day.

My life isn't worth it.  I have been out in freezing rain before, and it's simply not worth it.

Here's the problem with those kinds of decisions. In our area the weatherman on all 4 local stations plus the weather station were saying the same thing. Guess what ...... They were wrong. I don't hunt where the weathermen are forecasting ..... lol.  The day featured a very, very light drizzle for part of it and no wind at all.

Hey, I do the same thing. I listen to all the nifty scientific meteorologic jargon and kind of believe what they are saying (like a fool) and plan my hunting accordingly. I generally wind up cursing those guys out too. It's probably always a good idea to have alternate plans in case they blow it. Flopped on the couch may or may not be a good alternative ;D

[arrow nocker]

found out your first learning experiance.Deer can read minds.If you plan on a tactic they sence it and know you are coming.Indians used to not think or speak of the hunt prior just because the deer could hear them.LOL.

LOL.It will all come together sooner or later.Thats why hunting is so much fun and addicting.Even if i don't get a deer i had fun.That is all worth it.Took me 5 yrs to get a deer.Passed on a bunch too tho.Took my son 3hrs.He didn't plan or think.I said sit here.The deer came buy 60 seconds later.Telling ya they hear your thoughts.LOL.