Hunting in the rain?

[Ground Hunter]

Was wondering if you do anything different equipment wise when rain is in the mix?  I've always shot wooden bows arrows etc.  But I've been considering some of the alternatives for a rainy day...

[Pat B]

I've never had any problem hunting with wood bows and arrows in the rain. I wouldn't normally go out in the rain because how rain can effect blood trails but if I'm sitting there and it starts to rain I'll sit it out as long as I can. I guess I'm more adversely affected by rain than my hunting gear.

[OBXarcher]

Being a public land guy I love the rain! Usually means you have the place to yourself. Plus I think the critters know there's not going to be people in the woods. Just my experience.

As far as equipment or shooting don't change thing.

[Shadowhnter]

The only thing I do differently on wet days outside of clothing, is I grab my arrows I make with Canada goose fletching for their water repellent abilities.

[Sam McMichael]

I try not to hunt in the rain, as I just don't like to get wet. As a younger guy, it didn't matter. Rain never bothered wooden arrow shafts at all. Fletching needed to be treated to keep them from becoming flat.

One interesting thing I did notice once had to do with tuning. I was shooting arrows that were marginally tuned that shot well while dry, and a friend was shooting arrows that were bare shaft tuned. When feathers got wet, my arrows flew erratically while his remained very flat shooting. I wish I had arrows with goose feathers as described by Shadowhunter.

[hawkeye n pa]

I hunt in a fair amount of rain keeping my shots a little closer than normal.  And like already said you have the place to your self.  I use wild turkey feathers in the rain, but I also have my arrows tuned in the rain ( wet fletches) with broadheads and they fly the same as when dry.  Also use a Aruba felt hat to keep the rain off my neck and glasses.  I normally carry a poncho for sudden downpours and huddle underneath it,  don't find much animal movement in a downpour.  But I like already being out after a downpour especially  during the rut.

[elkken]

If your going to hunt in the rain a lot, try plastic vanes and an elevated rest like a bear weather rest. They work great and vanes are quieter.    

[Trenton G.]

I hunt in the rain quite a bit. I've never done anything special other than try and cover my feathers with something like a glove or hat. All of my clothing is waterproof. I also switched from a two pice to a one piece suit because it keeps wind and rain from getting in where the jacket and pants meet. I've got a plastic rain jacket that's folded up in my pack, but I've never had to use it.

[Pointer]

If I intentionally go out in a light rain then I use my black bear ward which is set up with a NAP center rest. I have a couple of arrows set up with vanes too.

If I get caught out there in the rain then its a judgement call. I treat my feathers with Camp Dry which helps a little bit. It's mostly the blood trail I would worry about.

I have a light weight rain suit tied to my pack if I'm hunting public woods but I've only needed it once

[Michael Arnette]

Originally posted by Shadowhnter:
The only thing I do differently on wet days outside of clothing, is I grab my arrows I make with Canada goose fletching for their water repellent abilities.

This is what I do too

[crazynate]

I love hunting in the rain. I try and keep my feathers covered if possible. I also wear rain gear that is not to noisy. Hunting in the rain especially on state land here in MI can pay off big. Shot my best buck opening day 2010 in a rainstorm.

[Tim in Wa.]

Originally posted by Michael Arnette:
 

Originally posted by Shadowhnter:
The only thing I do differently on wet days outside of clothing, is I grab my arrows I make with Canada goose fletching for their water repellent abilities.

This is what I do too [/b]

Is there somewhere that I could buy Canada goose feathers?

[Terry Green]

I use a fletch cover and use feather waterproofing...no big deal.  I am always ready for the rain....cept maybe no rain gear for myself.

 

[Outwest]

Mini Cat quiver keeps my fletching dry.

[Michael Pfander]

Where I am rain makes for the best hunting.  It is the only time its quiet here.  Otherwise it's toooo crunchy.
MAP

[Ground Hunter]

Great info guys!  I've worried too much about fletching over the years.  I've always used some sort of cover on the bow quiver or a arrow master.  Really didn't want to go to vanes.  I like the light steady sort of rain.  I'm destined to hunt public land and don't want to give up a day!

[Shadowhnter]

Originally posted by Tim in Wa.:
 

Originally posted by Michael Arnette:
   

Originally posted by Shadowhnter:
The only thing I do differently on wet days outside of clothing, is I grab my arrows I make with Canada goose fletching for their water repellent abilities.

This is what I do too [/b]

Is there somewhere that I could buy Canada goose feathers? [/b]

Not to my knowledge. Being a Federally managed migratory bird, no sale is allowed for wild birds or parts. If someone kept tame ones you could buy those, but I know of none. What I do know, is a few very active goose hunters! I get all I need from their kills and process them myself. You'd also be surprised at how many wing feathers are around city and community lakes just laying there along edges the birds frequent. You can also use snow and whitefront geese feathers, but there are fewer usable ones because of size or lacking stiffness.