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Thursday of last week was the start of deer bow hunting season in Missouri, and there were a lot of hunters disappointed with the weather for opening day.
Warmer than average conditions throughout the day forced hunters to sit early if they wanted to stay cool. There is a lot of chatter regarding how the weather plays into deer hunting, and I wanted to share some of the common myths so those who hunt may hopefully have some extra success.
Before I dive into this discussion, I do want to say there is little research behind deer movement patterns as they relate to the weather. I searched far and wide and could not find a reliable source to back up these fables. Instead, these are all word-of-mouth tips that have been passed from hunter to hunter throughout generations.
The biggest correlation between the weather and number of deer harvested comes from temperature changes of a several-degree difference. Many people have observed that deer will be more active in the daytime after a drop in temperatures. Oftentimes, deer will move the day after a cold front has moved into the area.
A second common hunting tip is to hunt on clear days, as hunting during inclement weather may not work out in your favor. This tip is a bit controversial, as some hunters claim they only have success on days with a light rain or snow, so take this tip for what it is worth. Overall, the argument could be made that hunting in sunshine is more enjoyable for the hunter rather than being rained or snowed on.
The final big weather-related factor to remember when deer hunting is that the wind direction and speed do matter. Deer can smell hunters, so you want to make sure that you are hunting downwind from the herd if at all possible. Also, if a breeze is present, then deer are less likely to hear a hunter moving through the woods.
If you choose to follow these tips, then your ideal hunting day will be a cool, sunny day with a light to moderate breeze. For right now, those days seem pretty far away as warm temperatures are in the forecast for the foreseeable future. Hopefully by the beginning of rifle deer season in November we will be seeing cooler weather.
Before hunting this season, make sure to check the regulations and rules set for the season to ensure your hunt goes smoothly. While you are at it, now you can take a peek at the weather forecast, too!
Maddie Est has worked as a broadcast meteorologist and marine meteorologist since graduating from the University of Missouri in 2021. She has worked with the Missouri Climate Center and conducted research on atmospheric blocking while at MU.
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