Where to hunt in a blizard

I am heading back to the farm this weekend. Friday it’s supposed to be high winds and 5-8″ of snow. I could sure use some advise where to hunt in a blizzard? Gun season is over, so I’ll be bow hunting.

The majority of the deer/buck activity is on the north side of the farm which is a ridge facing the north. The wind is supposed to be NNW 25-35 gusting to 40mph. I don’t really have an area where I can get out of the wind on that side. Do I got to the south part of the farm, out of the wind and hope the bucks travel there also to stay out of the wind, or do I go to the north side and fight the wind knowing that that is where the bucks have been living lately?

I would stalk them in high winds, if you know where they are bedding. Take your time, and hunt the ridges that are out of the wind.

Usually deer do not move a whole lot in high winds due to not being able to hear anything.

I gave up bow hunting in snow or rain/snow mix.
At least being outside and exposed.
I just ran into too many problems with crap getting on and frozen to the bow…and on me for that matter.
I use a pop up blind, an enclosed home built stand or I even bought one of those hay bale blinds to hunt in and keep me out of the elements.

Will they move in that weather. Yes and No.
I’ve seen days when they are moving all over in it(I think they figured out that most humans won’t be out in it) and days when they stay bedded down until the next day.

I’ve shot a lot of deer stalking in high winds and even rain/snow but never with a bow, always a gun. They can’t hear you or see you, as well.

I’m in the SE corner of MN so we aren’t supposed to get the precipitation as much as north but very windy and cold. I’ll be out but it’ll inside 1 of the blinds I mentioned.

I also won’t hunt with a bow in the rain…the blood trail gets washed away too fast. With a gun I can shoot for the neck and miss clean or they drop in their tracks! Just my personal choice.

Good Luck!

If you have a solid box blinds that are in sheltered areas of the property, smaller food plots, etc, that’s where I’d go. I’m no archery expert, but I’d think that given the forecast for 20-40 MPH winds, the biggest concern would be that you have to be somewhere where it will be possible to actually make a shot.

Stalking might be possible too, but only if the wind works for the area you’re trying to enter.

I’d think this will be a time when the deer will be either not moving at all or suddenly they will all move at once

Grouse

One of those “Deer Hunter” video games in a bar would be a good choice.

I would say some type of blind and a little buddy heater cranked up!

I have a dandy box blind right next to standing corn and beans with long bow windows in it. It’s sits right above the sanctuary where the does bed. I think that is where I will be for the morning anyway. thanks for the advise.

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When the weather is that crappy they still have to eat to maintain their body temperature and weight so I would stay anywhere there’s Windbreak or reduction in the wind in relationship to their significant food sources

I would say your local VFW or Muni would be your best bet! They usually have Happy Hours during the day. Then head out Saturday morning after the snow quits. If you have to let it lay for an hour after a shot, I would think you would lose the blood trail in short time. Not sure about an arrow in the wind either. Good luck.

I think it’s all going to depend on timing. I’ve hunted before those big fronts come through or right at the beginning and it can be dynamite. If it’s been snowing overnight and still snowing and blowing when you wake up, go back to bed and wait till Sunday. High pressure and low winds can be magical after a big front like that moves through

The first serious snowfall each season can confuse wildlife and deer are no exception to that. 4 or 5 years ago I waited on the last day of my season to go back out for one last shot until late in the afternoon when drizzle had begun to turn to snow. In my 1/4 walk back to the stand in a harsh wind I saw maybe ten different deer moving. I was at the bottom of the ladder to the stand catching my breath from hill climbing when a very nice 8 point came along forty yards away with his nose in the air looking for love when the bullet hit him in the neck. I would never pass up a hunt on or during the first snowfall.

Tom Sawvell wrote:

The first serious snowfall each season can confuse wildlife…

Yes. As evidence, just look at the Twin Cities rush hour after the first significant snowfall. It leaves the wildlife dazed and confused. Every. Freaking. Time.

Grouse

I would be sitting on field edge or a travel corridor to the food source. Sometimes they move during the storm sometimes they dont.. but be sure you are hunting before the storm and the first decent day right after the storm.

Pine trees or under cedars.