Interesting read on how weather affects deer movement

[scn]

There are a few nuggets, but researchers seem to agree that a lot more work needs to be done: https://deerassociation.com/does-weather-impact-deer-movement/

 

[swampbadger]

I read the article, it didn't say much except windy is better than calm. I agree.

I've noticed deer move a little better on higher wind days than lesser wind days. I feel like I can get in closer, move around more and get away with it and play the wind much better when I have a solid 10 mph wind moving my scent out of the area before it hits the deer.

I think solo bucks during rut are more prone to move faster and further scent checking different doe bedding areas. I think it's possible that most of the bucks can't smell as large of an area or as many directions on a high wind day versus a variable shifty wind 3-6 mph. This would cause them to move more to get into different positions to smell what they want. I know they use rising and falling thermals to smell currents incoming from two directions, especially in hilly terrain. In high wind, I think that ability is limited.

I know noise is muffled and their hearing is dampered on high wind days maybe making them feel vulnerable to predators. This might add to elements of insecurity causing them to shift beds during daylight. Their vision Id think would also be slightly impaired as well with everything swaying around them.

Most of the time I pass opportunities to bow hunt when there isn't a steady enough of a breeze keeping the skeeters away. I kinda know my odds are lower.

After leaves start to drop, we naturally get steadier and better wind through the woods.

 

[Snake]

I just fast read this article and will go back later to read it more precise . Thanks for sharing scn . I read an article once that said referring to the wind deer movement decreased as the wind increased but when it got to blowing really hard the deer movement increased ????

 

[Iglow]

I like wind too, scent is more predictable, stuff in trees is moving around, it's just better. Maybe they catch you off guard cause you can't hear them coming as well and you can't catch movement as well( neither can they) but it's a good trade off IMO.

 

[WilcoKen]

I think the weather events described affect my movement more than deer movement. If it's warm/hot, medium to heavy rain, and windy I generally won't go. But I know the deer are there and can be killed. I just don't like being hot and/or getting rained on sitting in a tree--it gives me a bad attitude and that's good for nothing. When it's cool/cold and pleasant, my attitude changes and I feel better about killing a deer. The deer adapt to weather way better than I do.

 

[BSK]

I just fast read this article and will go back later to read it more precise . Thanks for sharing scn . I read an article once that said referring to the wind deer movement decreased as the wind increased but when it got to blowing really hard the deer movement increased ????

Correct. However, the increased sighting rate of bucks in Very Strong winds is usually bucks running helter skelter. I think the violent winds freak out their defense mechanisms. Of course, the below graph is hunter observations. Hunters' observations of bucks could be influenced by the wind. The calmer the winds, the easier it is to see a buck moving at distance.

 

[BSK]

My list of the most powerful influences on daylight buck movement are, in order:

1) stage of the rut
2) hunting pressure
3) weather
4) herd dynamics (sex ratio and buck age structure)
5) moon phase