by Derrick|Last update:8. August 2022
Deer are weather-sensitive. Any slight change in atmospheric pressure can significantly affect a deer's movement. When hunting deer, the direction and strength of the wind are crucial to a good day or a bad day. Experienced hunters recommend that the wind blow directly in your face so the deer can't smell you. But what is the right wind force for us? How much is too much wind for deer hunting?
The right wind can be convenient for deer hunters. According to experts, the best hunting conditions are at wind speeds between 8 and 24 km/h. As soon as the wind exceeds 24 km/h, the hunt becomes more difficult. The wind can have a greater impact on bucks than on the.
Many hunters believe that strong winds cause deer to stop moving and seek shelter. Despite this widespread belief, there is no scientific evidence to back it up. On the contrary, several studies show that deer move more when the wind blows at a certain strength. The fact is that the strength of the wind determines whether it will be a good day of hunting or whether it is better to stay indoors. But before you make this decision, there is a lot of exciting information on the subject, which we will explain to you below.
How much wind is too strong for deer hunting?
Determining how much wind is too much for deer hunting can be complex. There are many streams of experts who hold opposing opinions. However, we can say that most qualified hunters state that winds in excess of 15 mph may be too intense for deer hunting. It should be clear that wind affects several aspects of deer hunting, mainly the behavior of the animal, the accuracy of the shots and even the safety of the activity. For these reasons, you may consider wind speeds over 15 mph to be too strong for deer hunting.
What elements should you consider when hunting in windy conditions?
When we go hunting there are several things to consider and the weather greets us with moderate winds of up to 15 mph.
The deer's sense of smell
One of the reasons strong winds of up to 15 mph are beneficial for hunters is that they limit the deer's sense of smell. This phenomenon occurs because winds carry different types of scents in multiple directions, making it very difficult for deer to track down predators.
deer movement
Strong winds can be good news for hunters, but only partially. With wind speeds of 15 mph or more, it's natural for deer to change their behavior. It is likely that deer prefer to hide in their shelter, at least during the day, rather than foraging. Deer may move again in the early morning and at dawn, but change their usual routes.
When a deer changes route due to wind, it relies primarily on its sense of sight rather than its sense of smell. The problem with this situation for the deer is that their level of protection from predators decreases significantly as they explore new and unfamiliar territory.
It has been proven that deer change their mode of locomotion and their final destination when wind speeds exceed 24 km/h. This fact can make our viewing platform totally inefficient. When hunting in relatively strong winds, a recommendation is to change schedules. When it's very windy, the deer shift their travel time to a time they deem safer. The hunter should also adjust his schedule to account for the stag's change in a rut.
Wind and bullet trajectory
The closer the shooting distance, the less influence the wind has on the trajectory of the bullet. However, it is important to know that the wind can deviate the bullet from its original trajectory by at least 10 centimeters, even at short range. This principle means that the farther a bullet flies, the more force and resistance it receives from the wind and the more deviation from its trajectory.
Wind affects shooting accuracy when hunting. If the hunter decides to hunt in windy conditions, he needs to get as close to his prey as possible so that the shot can be accurate.
Main recommendations for hunting in wind
It is important to consider all of the elements we will encounter and the variations in the hunting routine that we will experience when strong winds blow. Suppose you decide to continue your hunting day despite these conditions. In this case, it will be convenient to follow a few recommendations to make the hunt productive.
- It's best to forget about posting a lookout in strong winds and make sure you walk. Watching deer from your stand when the wind is strong is not realistic.
- Walk slowly and against the wind. When the wind hits your face, any sounds you make will pass backwards and away from you. In addition, your body odor will also move away from you.
- You should check the surroundings very well; In strong winds, the deer might crouch down to seek shelter. Areas of tall grass or wooded areas are important to monitor as they are a favorite hiding place for deer.
- Since we already know that wind can change the trajectory of the bullet, experts recommend choosing high-precision bullets and looking for flat trajectories. If the bullet is heavier, the wind will have less influence, especially if it has a shorter flight distance.
- Regardless of the wind force, deer need to feed and rest. Deer generally feed at night, at the beginning of dawn and dusk. Keep this in mind to choose the most strategic time to trade.
- As the temperature rises, deer tend to migrate to higher elevations. As the temperature drops we may find deer in lower areas. This behavior means we should hunt the ravines in the late afternoon and the peaks or ridges in the morning and early evening.
Does wind affect bowhunting?
Bowhunters are most affected when the wind speed changes. In strong winds, the arrow's trajectory can deviate significantly, causing us to lose prey for the rest of the day. However, there are ways to go bow hunting despite the wind.
One way to hunt with a bow in high winds is to get as close to the target as possible and shoot. By getting closer, we reduce the wind's effect on the arrow. We can also use the wind to mask movements and smells, allowing us to approach the deer without automatically fleeing.
Another excellent recommendation is to practice a lot. Before you go hunting, it is important to practice in strong winds. This exercise gives us an idea of how to deal with this condition and how much the arrow will deflect. In addition, it is an ideal way to calculate how far away we should be to get accurate shots.
Experts advise heavier bows and arrows. These bows allow us to give more power and speed to the shot. The more speed the arrow has, the harder it is for the wind to knock it off its trajectory.
A final thought on deer hunting in high winds
Regardless of weather and wind conditions, deer keep moving. Many studies confirm that these weather conditions could favor deer hunting if the hunter adjusts his routine.
It is important to be aware that wind speeds between 5 and 15 mph can be beneficial for hunting. However, speeds above this range may be too high for a successful deer hunt.