Sitting here today listening to the rain come down on the tin roof above me, it kind of makes me think of all the times I've been out hunting in the rain and I must say that these were the most successful and productive days that I have ever had.
I remember back when I first started in this fantastic sport I was about 18 and I would go out every opportunity I could. Rain, snow, hail, and heat nothing stopped me in my pursuit of getting out to go hunting in the bush. I would jump into my Nissan Pulsar, grab my gun and down ammunition and off I would go.
Those were really special times in my life being able to go out into the bush whenever I wanted. Boy those were the days.
One of the best things I really enjoy about hunting was when it was raining, it gave me the ability to sneak around the bush without making a single sound. All those broken branches and leaves that have been tried so much that they sound like cornflakes when you walk on them suddenly turned into a soft cushion ground. The rain and the overcast days also trick your game into thinking that they are still safe, and in most cases they are because most people don't go out in the rain. The silent environment that the moist ground brings also gives your prey the ability to sneak up on you!!! So it is in your best interest to not only move slow but also keep your eyes peeled because you never know that something could be only metres away. I find the best strategy the hunting in the rain is to move slowly and find good observation points which you can rest. These observation points can be over open areas, feeding grounds or even watering holes, as most animals will feel quite comfortable walking around and to these areas during the daylight hours.
Of course there are exceptions to this rule, and one of these is the severity of the weather. If the wind and rain is horrendous then there is unlikely a chance that you will find any game because of the visibility and even if you do find something gale force winds make it very difficult for a clean shot.
One of the other major reasons to be hunting during rain is that you will never overheat yourself, I know I can personally walk and walk and walk and walk without any risk of dehydration and heat stress. If you find yourself getting cold it is a simple process of stand-up and find yourself another place down the track.
The only thing beats hunting in the rain is hunting in snow!!!
I will talk more about hunting in the snow in my next blog.
Keep safe and go hunting.
Brendan
Posted
Jul 08 2008, 07:54 PM
by
Brendan