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Hunting in the Rain: Ethical?

jagermeister

jagermeister

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Ohio
brock ratcliff said:
I'm not hunting in this crap with a bow. More power to you if you do, it isn't for me anymore. It's a long season, I don't need to kill a deer, and I'm getting lazier every year. I just do this stuff for fun, and rain takes the fun out of bowhunting for me.

Last year's opening day of shotgun season was an absolute downpour. I hunted all day, and had one of the best still-hunts of my life. Deer slugs and broadheads are different animals all together.
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Brock pretty much nailed my thoughts on this. I love bowhunting, but when the conditions are like they are right now, I don't love it enough to go out there and be miserable for a few hours. Is it ethical?... Well, that's for each hunter to decide about him/herself. Personally, I don't think it's worth the risk. Plus, it gives me an excuse to go kill some ducks or geese... usually.
 
J

jeremy44230

Senior Member
2,370
76
Medina County
I will as long as it is not too bad for 2 reasons:

1. Don't care to be soaked...
2. Don't want to lose a deer due to no blood trail.

I will gun hunt in heavier rain but I will look for chip shots.
 
gavennn

gavennn

Junior Member
106
0
I personally wouldnt hunt in it. Im 6'5" 350 lbs. it would be like putting the titanic in a tree with these winds and not expecting bad things to happen. I would be like a para sail with all the camo fabric im flying to cover me up rotflmao
 
Jackalope

Jackalope

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Hunting in the rain is no different than hunting in a swamp when it comes to blood trails.
 
Jackalope

Jackalope

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Beentown said:
Sure it is different. At least when they hit dry land it doesn't wash away the bit of blood you may have.
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Lemme tell ya what i call a swamp. lol

 
M

MK111

"Happy Hunting Grounds in the Sky"
Supporting Member
6,551
66
SW Ohio
Well I went tothe landing strip hunting grounds today. Man was it miserable with the strong wind and light rain. I only went to check on my 2 ground blinds. I get to the 1st blind a Doublebull Darkhorse and it's gone but the folding chair was still there.
I went to the 2nd blind and its protected on on the northend of the strip by a close treeline and it' OK.
Back to the 1st one and I start walking in a downwind direction and found it OK about 75 yrds away out of the wind. I did loose 2 stakes. Folded it up and went home as I had no intentions of hunting in the rain and wind.
I had planned on going to the Lima gunshow this week but it appears they can get along without me so I plan on starting my all day hunts on Friday weather permitting. Gotta add that buck to the Contest list and looking for my 1st bowhunting buck.
Frank
 
J

jeremy44230

Senior Member
2,370
76
Medina County
I do agree with that Jack. I've never hunted a true swamp. I have shot a many deer with either bow or gun and never tracked the blood either cause I saw em go down, no blood to follow or heard where they went down.

This being said, I don't like hunting in pouring rain because in my mind recovery chances are reduced...

Now, I have heard that some honkers can be found swamp hunting. I would definitely hunt a swamp given the chance.
 
Jackalope

Jackalope

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Without going and looking back I know someone on the forum who was ticked for it.. The deer was standing in about 4 inches of water.
 
Jackalope

Jackalope

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Staff member
38,863
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..


Here it is.

http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/1501:31-15-11

(11) It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt or take a deer that is in the water.





That's all it says. "In the water"..


So technically you could get ticketed for shooting this deer in a flooded field edge.

 
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whack

whack

Junior Member
480
46
West "By God" Virginia
For me I find no ethical issue with it have done it will do it again. I fully believe in being able to manhandle your rig of choice in any condition. I think it's crucial especially if you feel hunting in these conditions is ok which I do. This is not to say I fault anyone that chooses not to I respect your decision. That being said I will limit my shot selection to 25 absolute max prefer inside of 20
 
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