hunting with cloud cover.

[Iluvracks1359]

So in my experiences, I always seem to have more luck seeing deer, not only bucks, but just deer in general on days when it is overcast. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this an actual proven fact that deer will move more on overcast days?  Opinions/ experiences welcome.

[BowmanMike]

I think they don't like bright sunlight,so overcast days they are apt to move more. I have no data to back that up though...

 

[NYBowhunter]

Most of my mature bucks were shot in just about miserable conditions. Shot a 10 after sitting in rain all day, shot a 9 three years ago in late ML season with over foot of snow on ground and was snowing when i shot him, shot a couple 8's  and a absolute pig of a 6 pointer during snow storms, there are others but you get the idea. I have shot deer on sunny days but mostly does and young bucks..Takes alot to get a mature buck on his feet during daylight and it usually revolves around 2 things, food and the ladies.

[wfmiller]

In my experience when the sun is shining I'm seeing deer. I want it below 50 and bright sunshine. Although I shot my biggest buck 2 years ago when it was snowing and sleeting and raining and then it would stop and start again. 

[Five Seasons]

I haven't hunted as long as a lot of members, but over 15 years of hunting has taught me this. You just gotta get out there. I've seen and killed deer in some of the most non-ideal situations and been voided with absolute perfect ones.

I know it's just a discussion topic, but this time a year especially the only thing that matters is the birds and the bees and being in the right place when the birds are ready

[Doc]

The thing that makes any concrete conclusions hard to arrive at is the fact that weather this time of year is generally pretty crappy. So if you think there is more activity on cloudy days, perhaps it is because there are just more crappy days this time of year.....lol.

[Gencountyzeek]

I actually shot all my bigger bucks on clear sky days. 2 were very cold mornings but clear skys and sunny, 2 were a warm afternoon hunts, and 2 were warm morning hunts.  

[The_Real_TCIII]

I like those blue bird clear high pressure days. Ive had a lot of movement on days like that the past several years

[Doc]

How about those clear frosty days when a deer can't set his foot down without crunching those frozen leaves. Damn, I can't tell you how many times on mornings like that I have heard the deer coming in before I even saw them. Oh yeah.... they do love the clear crisp days just as much as the damp crappy days. I love those days. Everything seems to be more active. Of course those frozen clear mornings are also the days when every squirrel and chipmunk have you reaching for the bow thinking some monster buck is coming.

[The_Real_TCIII]

1 hour ago, Doc said:

How about those clear frosty days when a deer can't set his foot down without crunching those frozen leaves. Damn, I can't tell you how many times on mornings like that I have heard the deer coming in before I even saw them. Oh yeah.... they do love the clear crisp days just as much as the damp crappy days. I love those days. Everything seems to be more active. Of course those frozen clear mornings are also the days when every squirrel and chipmunk have you reaching for the bow thinking some monster buck is coming.

im hoping for a handful of those in November. I can sit all day easier when I dont have to have my head on a swivel

[518BowSlayer]

my father in law swears that deer movement is better during overcast, I've never noticed a difference, way too many other factors going on to tell if the clouds made a difference

[Steve D]

2 hours ago, Doc said:

So if you think there is more activity on cloudy days, perhaps it is because there are just more crappy days this time of year.....lol.

You would be correct....and besides who cares what the weather is when you are horny.

[Bow sniper]

The only day I can hunt is on Sunday this week and it's giving rain all day will the deer b moving or am I wasting my time

[wfmiller]

31 minutes ago, Bow sniper said:

The only day I can hunt is on Sunday this week and it's giving rain all day will the deer b moving or am I wasting my time

They will move in the rain. In fact I just read a study the other day that found that deer actually move a lot in the rain. I've always seen a lot of deer in the rain.

[BowmanMike]

Following a blood trail in the rain is a different story...

[rob-c]

On 10/26/2017 at 11:26 AM, NYBowhunter said:

Most of my mature bucks were shot in just about miserable conditions. Shot a 10 after sitting in rain all day, shot a 9 three years ago in late ML season with over foot of snow on ground and was snowing when i shot him, shot a couple 8's  and a absolute pig of a 6 pointer during snow storms, there are others but you get the idea. I have shot deer on sunny days but mostly does and young bucks..Takes alot to get a mature buck on his feet during daylight and it usually revolves around 2 things, food and the ladies.

Food and or  ladies ....Isn’t that typical with any male....

[NYBowhunter]

43 minutes ago, rob-c said:

Food and or  ladies ....Isn’t that typical with any male....

Aint that the truth.  Now that i think about it, thats pretty much the reason for my existence...lol

[BowmanMike]

Hmmm,i am hungry...

[Jamoke]

It's the amount of light that gets the deer out of their beds. If it's cloudy, they get up a tad sooner, but other than that, not sure why it would be better.