Updated March 2023

Do whitetail deer move in the rain? The short answer is YES! Many hunters refuse to hunt in the rain making up excuses such as “deer aren’t active in the rain,” when really, they just don’t want to get wet. Many hunter will say that they never see deer in the rain and therefore prefer not to hunt in the rain, but the reason they don’t see deer is because they are not out hunting. Sitting in a treestand for hours during a steady rainstorm can be a miserable experience if you’re not prepared. It’s much easier to sleep in or watch football instead. It’s important to remember that deer still need to eat, move and socialize, even when it’s raining. The first step to hunting in the rain is to actually get out of the house or camp and into the woods.

Deer Behavior and Rain

As a general rule of thumb, any extreme weather pattern will initiate deer movement. There are many theories around deer movement and rainy conditions with many hunters suggesting that rainy conditions can be a great opportunity to tag a big buck that is on his feet during daylight hours. When a rainstorm comes in, temperatures usually begin to decrease and barometric pressure rises, creating ideal conditions for deer movement. Studies and reports have shown that light rain or drizzle does not hinder deer movement, but heavy downpours, thunder and lightning are known to suppress deer movement. This is because deer tend to hunker down for protection during big storms and become stressed due to lighting and thunder. During rainstorms, deer tend to be less skittish in rain than on more clean and dry days.

Some of the best hunting for mature whitetails is just after a big weather pattern breaks, causing deer to get back on their feet in search of food. Some hunters will even get into their stands with their rain gear while it’s still raining and wait for the storm to break. As soon as a storm breaks, deer movement will likely be high as deer will be hungry and wanting to move. The time when the woods begin to quiet down and rain droplets begin to slow can be one of the most productive times. It’s a good idea to monitor your local radar and hourly weather forecasts to time hunting the end of a storm. It should also be mentioned that if there is a long rainstorm over multiple days, deer will continue their normal daily patterns and hunting holes or brief clearings is also a good tactic.

Another great reason to hunter immediately following a rainstorm is that the acorns and other browse that will have been knocked down from trees. Because of rain and wind from a storm, acorns and other food sources will have fallen and tend get hungry deer on their feet.

Benefits of Hunting in the Rain

Aside from deer activity, hunting in the rain has other benefits. If you hunt on public land, there will probably notice less hunters, which is great for decreasing pressure. Also, rain can be used to your advantage by reducing noise and decreasing scent. Rain has the effect of “washing away” your scent in an area you have been. In addition, rain suppresses deer senses such as hearing and smell. As you have probably personally experienced, it is much harder to hear your surroundings while it is raining due to the noise of the droplets. With the ground being wet during a rainstorm, your footsteps will be quieter and there will be less of a chance of spooking deer due to crunching leaves or loud brush. You will notice that during a rainstorm, deer will primarily use their eyes because their hearing and smell are limited. What all of this means is that hunting in rainy conditions can be a great time to quietly move into more invasive locations such as bedding areas or close to food sources.

Although there are many benefits of hunting in the rain, there are some drawbacks. The most obvious is that rain can wash away blood trails. It is important when hunting in the rain that you make a good shot that will not require a lot of tracking. You also do not want to push a deer that is hit in rainy conditions. A big mistake that many bowhunters make is that they start tracking immediately after a shot in fear of the blood trail getting washed away, but end up pushing the deer even further. It is best to leave the deer for at least a few hours after a shot in the rain and search for it then. More often than not, the deer will be right by where you last saw it.

Staying Comfortable in the Rain

Comfort is key when hunting is the rain and staying in your stand. It is important to use quality rain gear that will keep you warm and dry. Nothing ends a hunt quicker that poor rain gear that causes you to get wet and cold. When using rain gear, you want to make sure that the material isn’t too loud or crunchy that will cause deer to hear you when drawing back your bow. You also don’t want rain gear that is too baggy and will get in the way of your bowstring.

A good pair of waterproof or rubber boots is also a must when hunting in the rain. Other good options for staying dry while hunting in the rain are to use a ground blind that has a roof or purchase a treestand umbrella.

Next time you see rain in the forecast, make sure to grab your bow and head out to your stand for an exciting hunt. It may not be fun in the moment, but there is a high chance that you will be pleasantly surprised if you can stick it out. Next time it’s raining and you’re contemplating about whether to stay home or head to the stand, give it a try and see for yourself how rewarding hunting in the rain can be.