How windy is too windy?

[Chris Shelton]

#3853

Hello to all, just got back from a weekend of rifle season, dad shot a little 6 point, and I got skunked, didnt really care, it was a buck only season, and we needed meat, dad provided. But this thread is about wind, and the bad kind. Today I was suppose to hunt, I slept in instead because of the wind, they were calling for winds at 20 mph with gusts of 25 and I think they got it right. Thinking back on it kinda sounds like a lame reason to sleep in? Anyone have any takes on this? I was hunting with my recurve!

[SteveMcD]

#24469

I think if you get steady 30 MPH wind or higher, you can hang up the bow for the day. I know I would, because I am not sure my shot placement will happen, because of the wind. And I don’t want an wounded, unrecoverable or crippling loss animal. I may hate sitting the day at home, but I would regret a wounded lost animal even more.

[William Warren]

#24509

I find you can get away with alot more movement while making a stalk in windy conditions but as Steve McD said too much wind can affect your arrows flight. Deer are more skittish in windy weather and safety can be factor especially if it is coupled with rain after a dry spell. Dead wood is bound fall so beware if hunting in the woods in windy weather.
GTA, I don’t think you made a bad call on that one but sometimes you can hunt late on a windy day and the wind will die just before dark. Keep your eyes peeled if that happens. Congrats to your Dad on his 6 point.
Duncan

[Chris Shelton]

#24552

thanks guys, I practice alot, and I practiced a week ago in some stiff winds, probably 20 mph, back here at home! I live in farmlands, and we basically have stiff winds from the west all winter, but I shoot anyway. What I have noticed is that the actual arrow impact is where I want it to be, but the arrow is slowed alot and the feathers are about 6 inches to the wind direction. I know I could probably hit my target if it is close, but I think that the arrow going in crooked would limit penetration alot?? But I am not sure, that and the arrow going in sideways could also change what it hits?? Either way I am going to hopefully never find out! Thanks again guys!

[Voodoo]

#25050

Well it is what it is, but even on the windiest days the wind is not everywhere, I would imagine that it has much more affect hunting plains game, but if you live in a woodsy hilly area, with ravines and such the deer would be concentrated in the lee areas…90% of the deer would be in 10% of the normal area, I’ve shot a few on windy days…..Deer don’t know Howard Johnson’s. but they do know where to weather out a storm, we just have to find where that area is……

[Patrick]

#25122

I’ll hunt in pretty much any wind. You just have to limit your shots relative to the wind, and/or hunt where it isn’t as much of a factor.

[6arrows]

#25407

well i live in indiana and with winds just above 20 mph the deer dont seem to move much. but i would have to say you did the best thing ,you did not want to chance a bad shot and not recover the deer.

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