Deer Hunting is better when it is cloudy?

NateDog

NateDog

New member
I heard from someone that apparently deer hunting is drastically better when it is cloudy/overcast. I have personally never heard this before and I have been deer hunting for a pretty good while. The person explained to me that deer don't like it when it is sunny outside because of all the shadows, and deer apparently don't like shadows, or something. Has anyone else ever had anyone tell them that or think this way?
 
I have always felt that I had better luck still hunting during heavily overcast and foggy days... but I feel the same way about calling coyotes. No scientific basis. Just that the best days of deer hunting and coyote calling I've ever had were during heavy icy fogs.
 
If I was to guess Id say because its cooler without the sun shining on them. Then they wouldnt overheat and move more/earlier. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
 
I know all animals are affected in some way by barometric pressure and barometric pressure changes with the onset or post weather front. With a weather front, clouds could be part of it. I honestly have no faith in the fact that is has to do with sunlight and shadows. There are more shadows morning, evening, and night than anytime. And deer move most at those times!
 
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Well of both the bucks me and my friend have taken(167 and 150's) both were shot on a calm sunny day...i always seem to see more deer when it is sunny...just my experience
 
I think I see more deer when it's sunny and cool in the evenings. I see fewer when there's a full moon at night because I believe they have enough light to travel and frolic in all night long (that's just my thoughts).
 
Likewise, I have no scientific data, but my observation is that I see more deer on overcast days than on a "bluebird day." Conversely, I learned during my years in Arkansas hunting ducks in green timber that a "bluebird day" is much better for ducks (in timber). It's tough to get them to come into the woods on a cloudy day.
 
Where we hunt we see far more deer on a cooler sunny day than same temp but cloudy day. Yes there movements change with the pressure related to storm fronts but that could be in the middle of the night not just in the day.
Also the deer are colorblind and im not sure how many shadows they see and they sure dont see the depths of the shadows we see.
 
I've seen deer activity last longer into the morning and start earlier in the afternoon along with more midday movement on cloudy days. I call it the "twilight effect" meaning those conditions simulate the conditions in which you would normally expect to see deer. I've found this to be especially true for mature bucks during the rut. No science behind it, just my observations.
 


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