WET-WEATHER WALL-HANGERS
Rainy days often offer the best chance to connect with giant white-tailed bucks. Here’s how to ensure a full freezer is in your late-fall hunting forecast
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Photo: Aaron J. Hill/Pexels#16 SNOWY MORNINGS
If the rain changes to snow, scout for fresh deer tracks in the morning for a post-storm still-hunt, or for an indication of where to set up your stand. The big win is that snow transforms the woodlands and fields into a white landscape, dramatically improving your ability to pick up deer movement.
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#17 FRESH SIGN
Bucks often revisit and rework their favourite scrape line just after it rains. Focus on natural funnels and travel corridors near bedding areas, looking for fresh scrapes and rub lines back in the forest where habitat types converge.
#18 WINDY DAYS
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Although deer may tuck into thick cover during inclement weather, I’ve seen some huge bucks go down on windy, rainy days. Just be mindful of the wind direction as always, and use it to your advantage by hunting the downwind side of known travel routes. Rain can dampen the amount of odour carried by the breeze, but it doesn’t remove the need to manage your scent.
#19 MINIMAL MOVEMENT
There are few animals sharper than a whitetail for spotting movement and changes within their home range. So, stay still as much as possible once you’re positioned in your treestand and safely secured with a full-body harness. Just don’t sit motionless for so long that you become too cold to hunt.
#20 SURE SHOTS
Only take high-percentage shots on rainy days, aiming to anchor your deer on the spot. Otherwise, the blood trail—especially if it’s minimal—will be challenging to follow, if it doesn’t wash away first. That’s especially important with bowhunting, when blood trails can be less pronounced and take longer to follow over greater distances. In such a situation, mark the blood trail with biodegradable tape or natural markers as you go, just in case you need to retrace your steps. Also, be sure to carry a flashlight designed for tracking blood in the dark, if needed. Remember, if you’re prepared and patient, wet weather can lead you to that buck of a lifetime.