How do you find out what really works when it comes to waterfowl hunting ammo? Well, you talk to a lifelong hunter, sporting clays champion, and owner of one of the most innovative companies in the hunting industry, Jimmy Muller of Muller Chokes.com. On this episode we dig into some of the nitty gritty about waterfowl ammo, what works, what doesn’t, and why.
Disclaimer: TideWe gave me these waders to do this review, and I earn from qualifying purchases using their links and code, thanks to them for their support.
The TideWe DeepWade zipped hunting waders are some of the best breathable waterfowl hunting waders on the market. I was very impressed with the quality and features of these waders. They are very well thought out, durable, and provide more function than I had ever thought about. And while they are excellent zipped waders in their own right, the simple utility of a zipper on waders is huge no matter what brand of zipped waders you use.
I have been very impressed with the quality of TideWe’s products over the last few years. Their quality to value ratio is extremely high, perhaps the highest of all significantly sized hunting brands I know of. You get a lot for your money with TideWe. The DeepWade waders are their deluxe waders as well, the best and highest level offering they have. I think they are TideWe’s way of showing off a little and they do it well.
Before writing this review, I reached out to TideWe and asked them if they would give a discount code for my readers, and they were very kind to do so. Enter this 18% off discount code at checkout: GK18 for the TideWe DeepWade Zipped Waders or almost anything else TideWe sells. This discount is in addition to most sale prices.
As a note, I hunted with these waders every day I went afield in our early duck season this year. I never review anything that I haven’t used in the field and put through its paces. These are no exception. I have alot of waders as well, breathable waders, 5mm neoprene, 3.5mm neoprene, breathable waders, expensive waders, cheap waders, hip waders, etc. So, I did not need another pair, but I was so curious about the zipper that I had to give these a try, and I’m very glad I did!
Do These Zip Waders Really Keep You Dry?
The first big question everyone asks is do the zippers leak? Do these waders really keep you dry? Well, for me a pair of waders is worthless if it leaks. I do alot of hunting in the cold and getting wet can be the end of the hunt. It can also be detrimental to your health. If something leaks, I have no place for it. And these waders do exactly what they claim, they are completely watertight.
All the zippers are watertight as well, for the body of the waders but also for the outside pockets. And they should be. There are no leaks in the zipper and no leaks anywhere else, even after standing in the water for quite some time while hunting and filming my review video.
Fit & Comfort
I wear a size 11 in all of my hunting boots and waders. And I ordered an 11 in these also. They fit great and still have plenty of room for a heavy wool sock in the boot. And for me all waders start with the boots. They have to be comfortable, warm, and fit right. And these do all of the above. They have good tread, are well made, and they are insulated with 1600 grams of Thinsulate. In short, the boots are great, and I have done some walking and chasing downed birds in them as well.
The rest of the waders are very comfortable, more comfortable than other breathable waders I own actually. The way they are cut is very smart. They are good for standing, sitting, walking, etc. Alot of waders are fine when standing but fit odd when sitting in a stool waiting for ducks. These are the best fitting waders I’ve ever used. I can’t recommend them enough, and they have adjustable zippers on the size to expand them for larger chest sizes. I didn’t need to use that feature, but that’s a big win for bigger guys.
Features
Speaking of feature, these DeepWade waders are jam packed with them. Normally I’m not much of a features guy, I like plain waders because less features means less places the waders can fail. But TideWe seems to have done it right with these. They are durable, strong, reliable and packed with features. Some of which include:
- 1600-gram Thinsulate boots
- Breathable construction that evaporates moisture
- External shell holders
- External zipped pockets
- External fleece lined hand warmer pockets
- Internal zipped pockets
- Clips to hang stuff from
- Included wader belt, extra insoles, repair kit with patch, and wader hangers.
- The big giant awesome zipper on the front
- Adjustable chest size
- Reinforced knees and seat
- 4-layer waterproof construction with ultrasonic seam sealing technology, the goal of which is to reduce seam leaks
- Nice camouflage patterns, and no, not all waders out there have good camo options
- Great zipper handles, especially on the main zipper
I could probably come up with more features, but you get the idea. And these all seem to work really well.
Functionality
As far as waders go, these work great, the pockets are great, especially the fleece lined hand warmer pockets. That is a wonderful addition. That keeps you from needing to buy and carry a handwarmer muff which takes up space and costs more. The position of the handwarmer pockets is perfect as well. I have coats that have them, but they are really poorly positioned and are awkward to use. These are perfect.
Normally I wear my jacket or parka over my waders to give me access to good pockets to hold my calls and shells. But for these I do not need to do that. Their great pocket options mean I can put them on over my jacket and get in and out of the water much easier without having to shed and replace another layer every time. That may not sound like a big deal, but trust me, when you have a busy day with a lot of action, it is a huge deal.
Now for the zipper. This is where these things shine. Yes, the zipper makes them much easier to get in and out of. Yes, the zipper makes it easier to go to the restroom. Yes, the zipper makes these perfect for jump hunting when you need to pull the waders out of a backpack, throw them on quick and retrieve a bird floating down stream. But even more useful than all of that is your ability to unzip them when you are setting up in the morning and start sweating from all the work.
I quickly learned to make sure I wear a zippered jacked and zipping mid layer under these. So, as I haul in my gear and setup my blind, I can unzip everything down to my base layer and vent heat and evaporate sweat. This keeps me cool when working hard. Then when I finally settle in and cool down, I can zip all my layers back up and be toasty warm. This is huge for me, and it is probably huge for a lot of other hunters who never even thought about it before. For me there was never any other options, so I didn’t realize how much something like this could help. I think these waders are worth it if only for this benefit.
Durability
I have no patience for waders that don’t last long. If something fails after one or two seasons, I consider it junk. It has to be made to last, even when it comes to waders. And while I haven’t had these for several years yet to prove them out that far, I can tell by using them that they are very solid. The material is thick and strong, the strongest of any breathable waders I’ve used. The seams are well done, the reinforcements are right where you want them, and the straps, belt, and external pieces are good. I can’t really ask for anything more on these.
No waders are failproof and certainly none are indestructible. But I expect these to last for many seasons. If they fail, it will likely be because I did some very irresponsible things. And then I’ll patch them and keep using them. As of this writing, TideWe has a limited lifetime warranty on these. I am sure that excludes any damage a hunter does to them and so on, but it’s nice to know they are providing some kind of factory quality guarantee.
Value
TideWe is well known for exceptional value, and I don’t just mean cheap stuff. I mean giving you ALOT for what you pay. Everything I’ve bought from them has been really high quality. Every piece of gear I’ve ever bought from them is still in service, nothing has worn out or broken beyond repair. These DeepWade waders continue that tradition. However, they are not cheap. But no zipped hunting waders are. The DeepWade are on the lower end of the zip wader price scale, and they compete very well against waders that cost twice as much.
And of course, you can get 18% off the sale price if you enter this discount code at checkout: GK18 for the TideWe DeepWade Zipped Waders
If you need something less expensive or are just getting started, TideWe’s Seeker Neoprene waders are the best cheap waders I have ever used. I did a full review on the Seeker and the same 18% off discount code works for them too.
Conclusion & Recommendations
If you are looking to test out some zip waders or upgrade your gear to the next level then the TideWe DeepWade Zipped Waders are one of the best options out there. I cannot recommend these highly enough. They make duck and goose hunting more comfortable and more enjoyable. Any good zip waders would make a big difference, but these a great zip waders.
Be sure to listen to The New Hunters Guide Podcast and check us out on YouTube.
Till next time. God bless you, and go get em in the woods!
George Konetes Ph.D. – Founder and Host of the New Hunters Guide.
The New Hunters Guide is simply what George wishes he would have had when learning how to hunt; a single place to get practical hands on knowledge about different kinds of hunting, gear, strategy, and tips that can improve your comfort and fun factor in the woods.
As a note, TideWe gave me these waders at my request to do this review, thanks to them for their support.
Disclaimer: TideWe gave me these waders to do this review, and I earn from qualifying purchases using their links and code, thanks to them for their support.
The TideWe Seeker Neoprene Hunting Waders are a very unique piece of gear with some serious strengths. They are the best waders for the money that I have found thus far. I nearly passed on them because they seemed too “entry level” but I was very impressed once I finally had them in hand. These are perfectly fitting, comfortable, warm, and durable waders with a few helpful features. And above all, they keep you dry!
I have used high end waders that cost easily 3-5 times what these TideWe waders cost. And while those more expensive waders do have a few nice touches, these beginner waterfowl hunting waders are just as good in numerous areas. So good in fact, I wish I could have bought these for my first pair of duck hunting waders. I probably have only used TideWe waders ever since.
Before writing this review, I reached out to TideWe and asked them if they would give a discount code for my readers, and they were very kind to do so. Enter this 18% off discount code at checkout: GK18 for the TideWe Seeker / MAX5 Neoprene Hunting Waders or any other waders TideWe sells. This discount is in addition to any sale prices.
Fit & Comfort
I have used some really high quality neoprene waders in the past, in fact I still do. But the fit and comfort on the TideWe Max5 Neoprene is the best of anything that I’ve worn. They are cut well and give you room where you need it as well as the perfect amount of stretch. I was very impressed the first time I tried them on. In the field, hunting, they proved themselves even better.
Sitting on a short stool for long periods of time in neoprene waders can be challenging, but not with these. Whether I was in the water, sitting motionless, or running after downed birds, these waders felt like a second skin. They didn’t pull, chafe, or restrict my movement. This is about the best-case scenario you can have with neoprene waders.
Features
When it comes to waders, I don’t like a lot of features. To me they distract from the main purpose of the waders, add cost, and they are extra things that can fail over time. Instead, I want waders that have the highest possible quality with the best functionality. TideWe did a great job of keeping these simple and effective. The main features include:
- 3.5mm neoprene with very nicely sealed seams.
- Extra layers of material in high wear areas like the knees.
- Realtree camouflage pattern. It is about my favorite all-purpose waterfowl hunting camo.
- Reinforced Rubber Boots with good fit and comfort.
- 800-gram Thinsulate insulation in the boots, which keeps them nice and warm for most hunting conditions. The waders themselves are not insulated, just the boots, however neoprene is a naturally insulating material, so they keep you very warm.
- Adjustable straps, which should be a given, but they are quite comfortable.
- Internal water-resistant zip pouch for your phone.
- External Velcro storage pouch.
- Hand-warmer pockets in the front, though they are not lined, nor would you want them to be.
- Integrated shell holder loops in the front.
- Removable belt with extra shell holder sections you can add.
- A small patch kit in case you poke a hole in them.
All and all, these waders have everything I need and want, and then some. I do not use the extra belt or extra shell holders; in fact I don’t use any of the shell holders. I have trained for years to pull my shells out of a pocket, without looking, and I’m pretty fast at it. For more on how to find quality waders, here is a podcast episode I did titled Duck Hunting Waders – What You Need To Know.
Functionality
When I think about wader functionality for duck hunting, I am thinking about three major areas. First, do they keep you dry. Second, how do they work in the water, and last how do they work on land.
Do they keep you dry? In short, yes. So far so good. I have used them in shallow water, deep water, still water, and moving water. No leaks, no issues, no signs of future leaks. You would think this is a given, however not all waders are watertight right out of the packaging and of those which are, not all are still waterproof after the first hunt… These passed every test. And if you are looking for a good inexpensive waterproof jacket to wear with these in the rain, check out my review of the TideWe Rain Suit, it was completely waterproof at a very low price point.
Water functionality. Waders need to work well in the water, they need to keep you dry but they also need to enable good mobility. These worked well walking through rocky bottomed streams and in muck. They are very natural fitting, and I can maneuver just fine with them. I have learned that 5mm neoprene waders can be exhausting to spend much time in, especially when wading through muck. These 3.5mm waders do nicely.
Land functionality. Like most duck hunters, I spent more time wearing these on land than in water. I setup my blind, sit in my chair, and then chase down ducks. These have been the most comfortable and functional neoprene waders I’ve ever used on land. I have ran in these, climbed through stuff, and sat motionless and they work well. They are not too bulky, the boot print is not too large, you can still be reasonably nimble, and they are not too heavy causing you to overheat during average levels of exertion.
Check out my video review on these waders to see more:
Durability
When it comes to waders, I am the most critical about durability. So many waders only last a few hunts, and too few live to see a second season. The average lifespan for a pair of waders these days is about 2 years. That said, I have to be honest, I have not hunted in these for multiple seasons yet. So I cannot tell how long they will really last.
But I can say this. I have used them in all normal situations as well as running, pushing through heavy brush, and jaggers. I have crawled in them, and fell, trying to outrun a wounded bird. At the end of the day, they still look brand new. No signs of wear, tear, or separation. That is about the best that you can ask for. They also feel durable, the material itself feels strong. I’ve touched some waders that felt like they might come apart after the first use. These feel very strong and have some heft to them.
TideWe has been making some really good gear lately at excellent prices. I have been surprised again and again. Check out my TideWe See Through Hunting Blind Review.
Value
This is where these waders shine perhaps the brightest. If you use my 18% off discount code at checkout: GK18 for the TideWe Neoprene Hunting Waders, as of this writing you can get them for $90. I realize that price will fluctuate some over time. But to get waders of this caliber for $90, with free shipping, blows my mind. I so wish I would have found these years ago when money was tight, and I needed something to help me get started.
There are waders on the market that cost well over $1,000 and have a 10-year warranty. For that much money, I think you would be better off buying 11 pairs of these TideWe Max 5 waders. They would certainly last you well over 10 years. Probably double that. Spending big money for ultra-high-end waders does not make much sense when you have an option these waders on the market for $90. The price and value are just unbelievable. And they are not cheap quality either. They are a solid wader, easily worth double the price.
If you are looking for some higher end TideWe waders, check out my review of the TideWe DeepWade Breathable Zipper Waders.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong and durable
- Warm
- Great fit and comfort
- Plenty of pockets and shell holders
- Great look and feel
- Outstanding value
- Free shipping from TideWe
- Good straps
- Waterproof
Cons
- The boots are fine, but this is one area that more expensive waders shine brighter
- I have not been able to hunt with them for years to really know how they will hold up over time
- Boots could have higher level insulation options. I would prefer 800 and 1600-gram options
Conclusion & Recommendations
Are the TideWe Neoprene Hunting Waders the best waterfowl hunting waders on the market? No, they aren’t. But are they the best thing you could possibly buy for $90? I think so. If you are a new hunter or just on tight budget, I think these could be the best waders you can buy.
Even if you are not on a budget, consider thinking about your waders from a cost per season standpoint. Even if these waders only last the industry average of 2 years, that is $45 per year. I can assure you, a $500 pair of waders won’t last 10 years. So the TideWe is the better value. And if they last longer than 2 seasons, they become even better still. Rember to enter this 18% off discount code at checkout: GK18
Be sure to listen to The New Hunters Guide Podcast and check us out on YouTube.
Till next time. God bless you, and go get em in the woods!
George Konetes Ph.D. – Founder and Host of the New Hunters Guide.
The New Hunters Guide is simply what George wishes he would have had when learning how to hunt; a single place to get practical hands on knowledge about different kinds of hunting, gear, strategy, and tips that can improve your comfort and fun factor in the woods.
As a note, TideWe gave me these waders to do this review, thanks to them for their support.
What is the number 1 thing holding people back from becoming great hunters? It is a question that can be answered, and in this episode, I go in depth to help you not just realize the biggest thing holding hunters back, but also what you can do to overcome it!
Get your FREE Tetra Hearing 2-Year Extended Service Plan. Simply add this plan to your cart and use this code at checkout to make it free: NewHuntersGuide
How early should you arrive at your deer stand in the morning vs. in the afternoon? The answer is almost never as clear cut as people want it to be. But that is always the reason so many hunters have such limited success. On this episode I talk about several of the factors that impact when deer will be in front of your stand and when you should get there to hunt those deer.
Getting better at waterfowl hunting does not happen by accident. Last season I did a series of things different, smarter, and better, that resulted in a much more successful season. Not only did I take more birds than ever before, but I did that while taking fewer shots and seeing fewer birds as well!
Get your FREE Tetra Hearing 2-Year Extended Service Plan. Simply add this plan to your cart when purchasing a Tetra Hearing device and use this code at checkout to make it free: NewHuntersGuide
Wood ducks are one of the most pervasive and beautiful ducks in all of North America, they are a treasure to hunt and make good eating too. On this episode I am going to walk through the basics of how to hunt wood ducks and the kind of gear and strategy you need to be successful.
Get your FREE Tetra Hearing 2-Year Extended Service Plan. Simply add this plan to your cart when purchasing a Tetra Hearing device and use this code at checkout to make it free: NewHuntersGuide
How can you dramatically improve your success rate hunting whitetail deer? In this podcast episode I share how I went from a 0% success rate to 83%. And no, you do not need to spend a bunch of money or have hundreds of acres of private land. It’s all about strategy and changing the way you think about hunting.
When I began hunting deer, I had no idea what I was doing. Like most people I heard what worked for others, received some tribal knowledge, watched some videos, read some articles and just assumed if I did those things it would work. I was very wrong. The issue is a lot of the hunting information I received was just plain not true, it was laced with myths, misinformation, and popular hearsay. What was true, was often only applicable to very specific situations and circumstances, which were very different from my own circumstance.
Don’t get me wrong, I gained some ground by consuming and practicing the conventional wisdom I received. I started taking some deer. But the breakthrough happened when I stopped focusing on what other people said worked for them and started focusing on the deer, what they were doing, and when.
Doing this however put me in a very difficult position. I liked to hunt a certain way, in a certain place, at a certain time of day, and at a certain part of the season. The deer however did not conform at all to my preferences. I had to completely dismantle the way I hunted, break all my traditions, change all my comfy habits, and do new and uncomfortable things to align with when and where the deer were around. It was mentally difficult to make those changes, and most hunters never do.
But when I decided to stop hunting the way I wanted to hunt and start hunting according to the deer patterns and preferred locations, I began to experience tremendous results. To the level where we shot 5 bucks in 6 hunts. I do not mean six years, but six times sitting in the woods. Listen to the entire podcast episode to get the details and how to apply this to your deer hunting.
This article was sponsored by South American Adventure Safaris.
Deer hunting is a cherished tradition for outdoorsmen and even a tradition of great importance for some families.
Deer hunting provides quite a lot when it comes to benefits, being both a thrilling hunting experience as well as an opportunity to put some food on the table.
Now, for beginners, understanding the different species of deer and how to hunt them is super important for getting started in the hunting space.
Each type of deer presents its own very unique challenges, from their habitat and behavior to the equipment and techniques needed to hunt them effectively.
Today we introduce you to five popular deer species and then dive into where you can hunt then, when seasons open and a few tips and tricks on getting your deer hunting hobby off the ground!
White-Tailed Deer
Widely and easily known as the most popular type of deer for outdoorsmen, the whitetail deer is known for its, you guessed it, whitetail and extremely high populations all across the Americas.
Location & Season
As we just mentioned, white-tailed deer are by far the most common and widely disbursed deer species in North America.
You can find them in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from forests and grasslands to even agricultural areas. Their adaptability has allowed them to thrive in both rural and suburban areas as well, becoming accustomed to human interaction.
When it comes to the best time to hunt white-tailed deer, you’re going to probably be looking at the rut, which typically occurs in late fall.
The rut, as you will hear more about as we move into some other species, is the mating season when bucks are actively searching for does. This can tend to make them more vulnerable to hunters.
However, hunting seasons and regulations on what and when you can hunt will vary by region, so be sure to check local guidelines before planning your hunt.
Recommended Caliber
When hunting white-tailed deer, the most popular calibers hunters tend to go with include the .243 Winchester, .270 Winchester, and .30-06 Springfield.
These calibers provide more than enough power to take down a deer without excessive recoil, making them a great choice for beginners, whether you’re hunting a smaller area or in a larger preserve.
Beginner’s Tip
For white-tail, understanding deer behavior during the rut is key to picking up the basics. Bucks become less cautious and more free and confident during the rut. This will increase the chances of a beginner hunter spotting one and taking one down.
Pay attention to signs of activity, like scrapes and rubs, and position yourself accordingly to intercept a buck on the move. For tactics such as this, a more experienced hunter might be able to guide you on the hunt.
Mule Deer
Very often mistaken for the white-tail, the mule deer is another popular deer species with high population density in North America.
Location & Season
Mule deer are native to the western United States, where they can be found all along the mountainous and desert regions.
Unlike white-tailed deer, mule deer tend to live in more rugged and open terrain rather than wooded and more hidden environments, requiring hunters to adapt their strategies accordingly.
The best time to hunt mule deer is in late fall, again, during their rut. Mule deer hunting is often a more physically demanding outing, as the terrain where they can be found is far less forgiving, so be prepared for long hikes and generally tough conditions.
Recommended Caliber
Common calibers for mule deer hunting include the .270 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield.
These rounds provide the necessary power to handle the long-distance shots often required in open, mountainous terrain where mule deer dwell.
Beginner’s Tip
The spot-and-stalk technique is particularly effective when hunting mule deer.
Since mule deer are often found in more wide and open landscapes, patience and observation are always helpful. Glassing (using binoculars or a spotting scope) from a distance to locate deer before planning your approach is a skill worth mastering if you plan on taking up mule deer hunting.
Black-tail Deer
The black-tail deer is another North American species that is quite popular for deer hunters. Slightly smaller than the mule deer, the black-tail can be easily distinguished by, you guessed it, their black tails.
Location & Season
Black-tail deer primarily reside along the Pacific Northwest, inhabiting dense forests and coastal areas. This greatly differs from the mule deers’ open-landscape preferences.
Due to their elusive nature and thick cover, hunting black-tail deer is considered a more challenging task when compared to other deer species.
Black-tail deer hunting season typically starts in early fall and can extend into winter, depending on the region. They are less visible during the day, making early morning and late afternoon prime hunting times when going after black-tail
Recommended Caliber
Some popular caliber options for black-tail deer include the .308 Winchester and .30-30 Winchester.
These calibers are both great options for the short-to-medium range shots often needed in forested environments where black-tail roam.
Beginner’s Tip
Patience is the real key when it comes to black-tail deer hunting.
These deer are masters at hiding in thick brush, so still-hunting (moving slowly and quietly through the forest) can greatly increase your chances of success.
For new hunters, focus on hunting during periods and times of day with low light, and do your best to use natural cover to your advantage when working to get within range.
Red Stag
The red deer, or red stag, is a more recently popular species of deer to hunt in the Americas, but has been well known in the hunting world all across the world.
Location & Season
Red stag, while native to Europe, can be found in places like New Zealand, South America, and parts of North America.
While red stag were originally hunted in Europe, they have become a huge trophy for Argentina hunts, as some of the biggest red stag in the world are now found in a handful of South American countries.
These majestic deer are larger than most other species out there, and well known for their impressive antlers, which are a serious trophy for most hunters.
The best time to hunt red stag is, again, during the rut, which occurs in autumn in most regions. During the rut, stags become highly vocal and aggressive, making them easier to locate and take down.
Recommended Caliber
For hunting red stag, calibers like the .30-06 Springfield and 7mm Remington Magnum are your best bet.
These calibers provide the necessary power for ethical kills on larger deer like red stag, and give you enough range to take your shot for a good distance.
Beginner’s Tip
Red stag are famous for their loud roaring during the rut, which can really help you locate them in dense forests or mountainous areas. Focus on stalking during the rut, as these vocalizations make them easier to track and less cautious than usual.
Sika Deer
Last on the list is the Sika deer. Another well-known species, the Sika, considered an “old-world deer’, has picked up some popularity over the last couple of years.
Location & Season
Sika deer are originally from Asia but have been introduced to parts of the U.S., particularly in Maryland, and the UK.
These small, yet elusive, deer prefer marshy, forested areas and are known for their secretive nature.
The hunting season for sika deer varies by region, but it typically begins in early fall. Sika deer tend to be more active at dawn and dusk, which runs true with most deer species.
Recommended Caliber
For sika deer, lighter calibers such as the .243 Winchester and 6.5mm Creedmoor are often all you need.
These calibers provide enough power for a clean kill without causing excessive damage to the deer and allowing you to take your shot from a good distance.
Beginner’s Tip
One of the unique aspects of hunting sika deer is their distinctive vocalizations, which sound like high-pitched whistles.
Learning to recognize these calls can give you an edge when trying to locate them in dense cover.
Final Shots
Deer have been a staple game for hunters across the globe, since men started hunting animals with bows and spears.
Deer hunting is a rewarding experience that requires not only patience and skill, but also knowledge of the species you’re looking to take down. Unlike like pheasant hunting, for example, you need to not only know where to properly hit the deer, but have the accuracy to not destroy the meat by hitting the wrong spot.
Whether you’re after the widespread white-tailed deer or the elusive sika deer, understanding their habits, habitats, and behavior is key to a successful hunt.
As a beginner, it’s important to start small, learn from each hunt, and always follow local hunting regulations. With time, you’ll hone your skills and gain the confidence needed to take on more challenging hunts, like the red stag.
Good luck, and remember that the most important part of the hunt is the experience itself.
This article and its images were written and provided by the great folks at South American Adventure Safaris. If you are interested in hunting a wide variety of South American game animals check them out today!
Rain may have little effect on deer movement, or it may have drastic impact. If you can determine how the weather will impact hunting, you can develop a strategy for how and when to hunt whitetails when it’s raining. Can you hunt deer effectively in the rain? The answer is both yes and no, depending on the circumstances.
Deer need to eat, mate, and move, period. They can only sit for so long and do not like to miss meals. So while light to moderate rain may impact their movement briefly, they will eventually shrug it off and begin returning to their normal patterns if it continues for any period of time. Severe weather is another story though.
When the weather turns very bad with heavy rain, thunder, gale force winds, blizzard conditions, they will usually sit and wait it out. This type of weather is rarely sustained for very long and once the weather breaks the deer will be up and moving again, perhaps more so than usual trying to find food to make up for missed meals.
So hunting light to moderate rain can be fruitful, particularly if that weather has continued for a few days and the deer have normalized their routines based on it. But really bad weather is not worth hunting in. EXCEPT for possibly hunting the ending fringe of that weather so you can be in the woods still and ready for when the weather breaks and deer movement ramps up.
The gear that you hunt with and the length of time you spend hunting in the rain are also major factors. If your gear is reasonable, you spend short stints in the woods, and you hunt advantageous times of day or before/after incoming fronts, then you can be very effective hunting whitetails in the rain.
I have had significant success hunting both does and bucks on rainy days. But the story is always the same, even after being in the woods for 12 or more hours, deer move very little during severe weather and are quick to get up when the sky clears.
Oftentimes a hunting blind is both cheaper and more comfortable than quality rain gear and I recommend that option when practical. But you can get away with poor quality rain gear and an umbrella if your plan is to wait for the weather to break in order to take down the umbrella and hunt afterwards.
The biggest issue people tend to have with rain gear is sweating and getting soaked over time because even Gore-Tex does not breathe when one side of it is soaking wet. All of the pores in the fabric become saturated and vapor cannot pass through. So, hunting in the rain for long periods of time with a rainsuit on is not a great idea. This makes using a blind even better because you do not need to worry about getting wet. I tend to keep one or two blinds up all season as options for wet days for this very reason.
The bottom line is if hunting in the rain isn’t fun for you, then don’t do it. If you are not enjoying the hunt, then save it for a day when you can enjoy it. Listen to this entire podcast episode to learn more.