Worth it to hunt in the rain?

[bnt5]

I dont know enough about turkey hunting or their habits to decide if I should hunt when its raining? Tomorrow morning is supposed to be rainy and I cant work in the rain I thought I might hit the woods. I am not sure where they are roosting so should I start calling when I get into the woods to see where the toms are? whats the best way to find them?

Appreciate any advice, first year hunting turkeys.

 

[jayder85]

Heck yea you can hunt the rain! My biggest bird was killed in a little five minute lull in big rain storms. Came running and gobbling his head off. Generally on a rainy day the turkeys will be making there way into fields. All the water hitting leaves in the woods keeps them from hearing so they head out in the open so they can see and hear. Either set up a blind where you know turkeys are or glass the fields and look for them and then react accordingly. Hope this helps!

 

[Strut 'N' Buck]

jayder hit it right on the nail. try to find the edge of a field and set up a blind. if you dont have a blind handy then walk the edge of the fields and try some calling. id call early and often. its always worked for me. some people say dont call much. but i call all the time and have never had a bit of problems hearing/seeing birds. personally id hit a woot owl call right at day break to see if one gobbles and if one does, set up 100yds give or take from wheres hes roosted and start gobbling. you want that bird to commit to you before he ever flys off the roost. hope i could help but its just my 2 cents

 

[JDMiller]

I was hunting the rain today.....got in a nice dry blind at 5:30am.... got out of it at 1:00pm. Never heard the first gobble but honestly it was pouring down at first light until about 8:30....then lightened up..but never stopped. Had two hens come into my decoys and picked around our foodplot for about 4 hours. Had several deer feed through as well. Overall ...with the weather ...this season has been dismal to say the least.... but theres one thing for sure...your not going to kill one sitting on the couch.

Over the years I've killed several on rainy days...and especially after a stormy night. Birds may hang on the roost a little longer but more than likely their heading to fields. It's just a matter of being prepared...good raingear is worth its weight in gold. As today...so is a blind set-up for just such an occasion.

Good Luck.

 

[bnt5]

miserable morning in the rain and wind, went out at light got setup and began calling, this continued for about an hour with no response. Wind picked up and I couldnt even hear myself think. Called it a day and off to work to get wet again. Not sure where the turkeys were but saw 2 deer who were not fooled by my decoys and calling, they high-tailed it out of there rather quickly.

 

[turkeyhunter1943]

I have taken a few birds in the rain.

I used to set my blind up just off a path they travel on the way to a small field. (the only one in the area). I'd call a little every now and them but not much. A couple of times it paid off. I took my only multiple bearded bird from that setup.

I guess I should be there this morning but I didn't set my blind up this year.

Guess I'll stay dry but sure won't get my second bird.

 

[jayder85]

Thats why they call it hunting! I have spent many a miserable day in the rain looking for these dang birds. Opening day was a super miserable one for me. Just gotta stick with it. These birds are fickle. I have had days where it was a downpour and birds gobbled there heads off. At the same time, I have seen nice beautiful days that i never heard a peep. They definately have a mind of there own. Just gotta stick with em rain or shine and it will pay off!

 

[long beard]

I think that it's worth it, because you see more turkeys when they are not in the woods. I think everyone should go in the rain if they have the chance. But, I have never shot at, even came close to killing a bird in the rain, and all the turkey's i've killed were killed when it wasn't raining. However, just after/before a rain when the birds were still wet, I've killed and had plenty of action. I always see hens in the rain though.

 

[00noturkey]

i seen more birds in the fields, going down the wk parkway, in the rain. than when its not raining. 40% in the rain, 3% not raining.

 

[jayder85]

In a blind when its raining in the fall is an awesome time to kill your fall turkey. Just do plenty of scouting and glass those fields when it rains and you will see where in that field they like to spend there time. Just get your blind out there and wait....

 

[killer]

They get out in fields alot more in the rain. Its the best time to sit in a blind and wait on an ambush.

 

[Jeepin]

last weekend my father said he saw 5 turkey out in the field when it was raining pretty good.