Just curious what every ones success has been in the past with rain on your archery elk hunt. I have had success hunting elk in September when it rains. However there are a few guys at work that say it doesn’t help and the elk actually stop talking in the rain. I think it’s just because they don’t want to get their dresses wet and they head back to camp. lol What do you think? Has rain turned on the rut at all in your experiences?
Elk hunting in the rain
- Thread starter Mace375
- Start date
bowhuntersd
New member
- Mar 23, 2013
- 3
I used to think that the rain would trigger therut but it doesn't seem to be the case in the my neck of the woods. I feel 65-75* temps with cool mornings have been the best. When the rains to hit it seem to slow down a bit but soon it's back on even as the rains continue. They still have to rut rain or shine.
nclonghunter
New member
- Dec 28, 2012
- 681
I have only one incident to mention, but I was caught out in a big dark cloud that came over a ridge in Colorado and it started thundering and pouring the rain. I pulled out my poncho and squatted beside some bushes to ride it out. I then saw a herd of elk come out of the timber into an open hillside. A good bull was chasing cows and keeping them together. I think they did not want to be in the timber during the rain and thunder???? The cows seemed almost frantic because of the storm and he was trying to keep them close. The rain stopped and started clearing some. I began cow calling and was able to get a big cow and smaller cow to cut away from the herd and run to me. The wind was my undoing and they rain back, but the storm had them all nervous and moving.
Like I said it is only once that I was able to witness this event, so I do not know if it is common.
Like I said it is only once that I was able to witness this event, so I do not know if it is common.
I'm having that problem in my spot. It has been pouring rain every day since opening day and doesn't look like its going to stop. I pulled out of there because of it. But with it just pouring rain from dusk till dawn I don't really know what to do. It doesn't seem like anything would be out in that weather. Plus I see elk in there everyday and havnt seen one yet in there this year. I decided to give it a week or two till the rut starts picking up.
I never stop hunting because of rain or snow, Im not saying that they bugle more or less but I find they will get in the thick stuff and bed down, and with rain or snow it makes it quiet and easy to sneak in on them. Even better in a snow storm cause there visibility is low and its quiet also. many of my best hunts have been in bad weather.Here is a pic from last season there were 4 ,5 point bulls within 60 yards of me for up to 10 minutes .
This past week in Colorado it rained almost every day on us. One experience we had it was dead quiet sitting by a water hole then a crazy loud storm came through with hail and cold rain.after that the sun came out and had bugles and cows calling. They came down to visit our calls. I'd rather not discuss what happened next...... :-[
nclonghunter
New member
- Dec 28, 2012
- 681
There are no bad days elk hunting, there are just better days.....
tell the story.....
tell the story.....
Well ok. My friend and I had split up to cover more ground I was on one end of the pond he was on the other. I saw some elk running down the ridge away from us. I tried calling my friend on the radio to tell him what I saw but he would not answer. I figured he didn't have his radio on so I went over to talk to him. I got over there but couldn't find where he was so I turned around and started to go back to where I was sitting. About half way there I heard a bull bark! Several times! I dropped down knocked an arrow and cow called. He was big and pissed off! And he was close, real close. He took off and never showed him self. My friend got on the radio and asked if I saw the bull. He said he was coming to his calls. Then I came over by him and spooked him. Boy am I upset with myself! I should have stayed where I was. Oh well.
That's my story. I learned allot from this trip. There is nothing worse than screwing up a friends opportunity
That's my story. I learned allot from this trip. There is nothing worse than screwing up a friends opportunity
Bullhunter
New member
- Jan 2, 2013
- 903
I hunt in any weather condition. Never seem to have a problem but i enjoy the rain or snow since its a lot cooler then what normal september temps are.
camosteve4colorado
New member
- Aug 23, 2013
- 45
I love hunting in bad weather like turbo1967 said some of my best days were in horrible weather (Rifle) first year with a bow, the animals don't have a cabin to go to so you just have to find them last weekend it rained every afternoon pretty sure the elk were down lower then we were. I did not have my gear so had to hide in the tent after soaking all my gear... won't forget the rain gear again.
It looks like the rain will start moving out this weekend and the temps are gonna start dropping this week. 10 days until I hit the road, and I am hopeful that these rains will make an exciting last week of the season! Does anyone have any thoughts on how these persistent rains have/will effect hunting pressure?
My 2 Cents is.....:
1. If you have planned to hunt all wk and it rains, just hunt all wk.
2. I have seen some great animals in Rain/Snow Storms and I have sat there in the rain/snow all day, wet & Cold and not seen a Dang THING & Wished I was cuddled up by a fire...
Just Hunt Rain or Shine!!! IT's a huge blessing to be in outdoors and get to see any animal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1. If you have planned to hunt all wk and it rains, just hunt all wk.
2. I have seen some great animals in Rain/Snow Storms and I have sat there in the rain/snow all day, wet & Cold and not seen a Dang THING & Wished I was cuddled up by a fire...
Just Hunt Rain or Shine!!! IT's a huge blessing to be in outdoors and get to see any animal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
