Turkey season is here and you know what that means! It’s time to start getting everything ready to go hunting for your gobblers and toms. However, with the rainy and inclement weather happening during some days, it might ruin your hunt and have you postpone until clearer skies arrive. Totally not a great way to implement your new hunting strategies!
However, there are ways on how you can go turkey hunting in the rain and be successful with it. Through proper clothing and callings, you’ll be able to catch something to bring home.
Wondering how? Read on as I show you seven helpful tips!
Can You Hunt Turkey In the Rain?
For starters, is it healthy to hunt under the rain? Or is it even possible to hunt during such weather? After all, wouldn’t all the animals seek shelter and be away from the open?
You’ll be surprised that it IS possible to have a successful hunt under the rain, and that there are some benefits to reap from it!
1. How Turkeys Are Affected By Rain
When there is rain in the morning, turkeys will come out later, at around 8 AM. They’ll be a bit more relaxed during the rain and you can take advantage of this situation, as they’ll be making more noise gobbling so you can spot them easily.
Turkeys aren’t seen during the beginning of the rain, though they can be seen during the middle of it and will be out once the storm lets up. So it gives you chances to time yourself and start the hunt despite the inclement weather!
2. Not Everyone Will Be Out
One of the best parts about hunting during the rainy day is that not a lot of hunters would be thinking about doing the same thing you are! While most hunters are taking the day off from the fields, you’ll be able to go around and hunt without the competition.
Not a lot of people know what they’re missing. Sure, it’s a bit muddy and wet, but you have the entire place to yourself and the freedom to go wherever you feel like will reap the best hunts!
3. More Invisibility and Quiet Movement
Just like humans, animals aren’t able to see as much as they can when it’s raining. That’s because of the dark skies, raindrops pouring, and other elements that affect their senses.
Turkeys won’t be able to hear when in the rain as well as a sunny day, so they won’t be able to hear you coming. Plus, you’ll be able to move quietly because of the sound, not making much noise and staying unnoticed by the herd of turkeys near you.
4. Cover More Ground
When I hunt during rainy days, I don’t spend the time waiting in one area doing my best to call and attract deer or turkeys. As much as possible, I move around and cover as much as area as I can. This is way better than sitting and waiting for something that might not even appear!
Like mentioned, since I’m not as seen or heard by animals, I’m able to go around with my tracks covered and check out spots and opportunities for today’s hunt or the next.
Seven Helpful Tips on Turkey Hunting In the Rain
Now that you’re familiar with the possibility (and some benefits!) of hunting turkey in the rain, here are helpful and effective tips to get you started:
1. Wear the Proper Clothing
This is a no-brainer. After all, you wouldn’t want to be uncomfortable and wet while you roam around the field! Not only should you wear waterproof and warm clothing, but it should also be concealing to blend in with the surroundings. After all, turkeys can’t see as much compared to sunny days, but they still have a keen eyesight and can spot you.
Go for hunting clothes that are breathable, light, and warm. Consider getting a raincoat and waterproof goggles to see better, too!
2. Using the Right Calling Tactics and Use Decoys
Turkey hunter working a turkey box call
Turkey calls and turkey decoys are still very effective during the weather. Add more volume when using your turkey call, and set up a Jake/Hen pair decoy that can drive turkey near you if they can’t hear the call.
Discover more: What Does a Turkey Sound Like? 10 Different Calls to Know About!
3. Hunt In Open Fields
This may be a weird tip since hunters would assume turkeys would stay under shade or seek shelter. However, turkeys are different. They would seem to flock to open pastures and fields!
Why? This is because the rain would throw off their sense of hearing and sight. Because of this, they’ll be running away from any small or big danger, being worried and paranoid. Turkeys tend to run in open fields, as it will provide them with better fields of vision to watch out for predators.
Furthermore, turkeys would walk around short vegetation compared to underbrushes or taller plants, as the latter would have their tail feathers dragging.
So make sure that you cover open fields and areas with shorter vegetation, as this is where they most likely are!
Discover more: Can Turkeys Fly? The Surprising Answer Revealed!
4. Always Be Alert and Ready
Yes, turkeys are expected to come out in open fields. However, you might be able to spot one or two in places you didn’t expect! That’s why it’s important to keep your cover the entire time you’re hunting and to NOT slack off.
Keep your guard out and stay on the lookout for nearby game, using your senses to know where they are. Always keep your gun or bows ready in case you have to make a quick shot.
5. Use the Weather to Your Advantage
Like mentioned, turkeys’ senses aren’t as efficient as it were during the normal day. That’s why it’s time to take this advantage and roam around the fields, roaming around open fields and checking out some spots that turkeys may come around in.
This is a much more effective strategy as compared to waiting around for your game to come by (which most likely won’t happen!). You’re better off moving and looking for them yourself with the rain covering you more.
6. Stay Safe and Dry
Besides wearing the warm clothes, I also recommend that you stay dry as much as you can by using the right shade and take safety precautions. If needed, take medicine and let people know where you are going before leaving the hunt, sharing your location and being easily contacted.
Also, you might want to consider using a ground blind or tree stand umbrella, only IF you plan on staying in one area (which I don’t really recommend).
7. Know When to Stop
Last but not least, know when you have to go home. There is a limit as to how long you can hunt under the rain, especially if the weather is pretty bad. If you feel like it’s raining too hard for you to go out, then it’s best you stay at home or stop the hunt halfway.
Prioritize your health and safety rather than the success of your hunt. Plus, if the weather is as bad as it seems, you may not find as many turkeys as you’d expect!
Besides these tips, check out this helpful video that shows you more tips on hunting turkey during the rainy days:
Wrapping It Up
You don’t need to invest in the most expensive equipment, nor will you need to fully postpone your hunt just because of the rain! As long as it’s still safe to walk around the field and you’re using effective strategies according to the weather, you’ll still be able to have a chance of a successful hunt.
Hopefully, this article on turkey hunting in the rain gave you an idea on where to begin. So don’t wait any longer and look into any of these tips now!
If you have any questions or want to share your tips and experiences on turkey hunting in the rain, then comment below. I would love to hear what you have to think.
Sean seiler [email protected]
Hi Sean, May I help you?