Hunting Forum

Two quick questions, both about rain and hunting.

1) How does rain affect deer hunting in general?

2) How does rain affect deer hunting with a muzzleloader?

I'll be buying my muzzleloader tomorrow (Social Security Disabioity pay day), and will be out hunting Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday (multiple medical appts Thursday), and there's a chance of rain on Wednesday...just wondering if rain is a good thing, or a bad thing, and what, if any, impact does it have on a muzzleloader......

Thanks,

   --jim

1) In my experience, deer seem to move more in a light mist or drizzle. Downpours will usually have 'em laying down nder pines/hemlocks (around here) if they're available.

2) Assuming you're not talking about a flintlock, you should be ok if you put a piece of tape over the muzzle. I know some guys who use barrel butter but I'd prefer the tape.

Posted By Steve on 02 Dec 2012 07:18 AM
1) In my experience, deer seem to move more in a light mist or drizzle. Downpours will usually have 'em laying down nder pines/hemlocks (around here) if they're available.

2) Assuming you're not talking about a flintlock, you should be ok if you put a piece of tape over the muzzle. I know some guys who use barrel butter but I'd prefer the tape.

Ok, assuming I put the tape over the muzzle, do I remove it before shooting?  Or is it thin enough to not matter?

Thanks,

   --jim

Well, I don't think I'd use duct tape or anything heavy like that. ;-) but a lightweight tape you can shoot through. Actually, I keep meaning to use Plastic Wrap and put a rubber band around it on the barrel so I don't have tape stuck to it...

Posted By Steve on 02 Dec 2012 10:06 AM
Well, I don't think I'd use duct tape or anything heavy like that. ;-) but a lightweight tape you can shoot through. Actually, I keep meaning to use Plastic Wrap and put a rubber band around it on the barrel so I don't have tape stuck to it...

I like the plastic wrap//rubber band idea better...think I'll use that one.  :-)

Thanks,

   --jim

I don't hunt with a muzzle loader, but I have heard people say they use finger cots stretched over the end of the muzzle. In case you aren't aware of what I'm referring to, these are like small condoms that are about the diameter of a pinkie finger and are used by a doctor for rectal exams.

I don't MZ either but the same things apply when hunting with a rifle or slug gun in nasties. I've heard of the finger cots too, but just always thought that then you'd have to worry about what size. With tape or wrap/rubber bands it's pretty much universal.

A weather alert I just got in e-mail brings up this variation on the quesiton (specifically, how it impacts deer and hunting deer):  how does FOG (assume dense fog) affect things?

Deer will usually move in dense fog just as they do at night or any time of low light. The problem is the hunter's vision is limited, every sound is amplified, and scent is held down closer to the ground.

Posted By rthomas4 on 04 Dec 2012 05:52 PM
Deer will usually move in dense fog just as they do at night or any time of low light. The problem is the hunter's vision is limited, every sound is amplified, and scent is held down closer to the ground.

That's not good right now...morning after morning of what is considered "dense" fog here (when I lived most of the year in Texas, while in school, and my mom lived in the Hill Country, I got to know what DENSE FOG really means.  But still, on my way out to my spot this morning, the fog was dense enough to only be able to see about 10--12 yards from the front end of my car (that's considered "dense" here), and that probably still qualifies for the effects you mention above.  But then again, the forecast for tomorrow calls for a half-decent chance of thunderstorms tomorrow, and I don't think I want to be out there, sitting up against a tall tree, when that first lightning strike hits, possibly striking the tree I'm up against......  So I'm probably staying home....  It's not as if it was February, during the all-out rut.

Thanks for the info,

   --jim

PS:  In the Hill Country of Texas, dense fog means you can't see the front end of your car (mine was a 1973 Fiat 124---not a long car) or, sometimes not even the person standing next to you.  Imagine fog so thick that even truckers are only driving along a highway at 15 mph...and nobody else is going any faster, if they're even driving at all.

Posted By GTbrewer on 02 Dec 2012 06:29 AM

Two quick questions, both about rain and hunting.

1) How does rain affect deer hunting in general?

2) How does rain affect deer hunting with a muzzleloader?

Thanks,

   --jim

You get wet.



Deer still move in a light rain, drizzle, and heavy fog. 

Keep the muzzle down, put a piece of tape over the muzzle, cut a finger out of a latex or rubber glove and streach it over the muzzle.

Deer will still move ,and depending on how dark it is they will move more in the day time .As for the ML .Just do as grandpops said .And keep the water out of your cap .

Im with grandpops and Holly.  Might suggest having a dry cap handy so that if you have the time to do so.  You can change the cap just in case before firing.  I have seen deer move inn a light rain, and in fog.  In real thick fog too. I usually put a piece of electrical tape across the muzzle.  the first shot usually rips the tape off.  If all it does is punch a hole thru itl  It comes off easily anyway.  I have at times.  Carried my rifle muzzle down to keep the rain out too.

I've walked right up on deer in the fog (20 yards). It keeps your scent down and it's quiet walking. If you spook em, stand your ground, they will come back looking to see what you are. If your really worried about ML hunting, buy an inline to resolve cap issues, still need to cover your end with a finger condom. LOL! Sorry, that just sounded funny.