I hunt in a primarily wooded area, outside Athens. I pretty much hunt when I can and cannot be particular to a certain day. I have never had any luck in the wind.

Thoughts on windy hunting? Is there a mph that you look to stay under?

Trying to decide to go Sunday morning. It’s supposed to be pretty cold, but windy.

I wpuld be out there sunday am. Unless the wind is whipping 30-40, a 10-15mph breeze isnt going to affect the deer but the cold will have them up and moving, probably later than usual. Maybe earlier. But they will be moving.

Take the day and get some fresh cold air in your lungs.

Spot and stalk on windy days.

On one occasion on a very windy day I finally got within range of the mountain reedbuck I was hunting. Unfortunately, the wind was so strong that it blew over my (tripod) shooting sticks before I could rest my gun on them. The reedback noticed the commotion as I tried to set up the sticks again and they ran off. Other than that, I have never had any problems hunting on very windy days provided that the wind is not swirling and giving me away.

There is a theory that game is more alert and skittish than normal on windy days because the strong wind affects their hearing i.e. the wind makes so much noise that the animals find it difficult to hear other sounds that they would normally hear - hence them apparently being skittish. I can't say, from my own experience, whether I have found the theory to be true. On some windy days the animals do appear hyper alert and skittish. On other windy days the animals seem no more alert/skittish than normal and, if anything, the wind helps mask any noise I might make.

"Spot and stalk on windy days." Into the wind.

Hunt the travel routes/trails that are protected from the wind. There are many available where you hunt.....

I seem to remember reading somewhere that deer prefer to bed once the wind gets above 15 mph or so, which has been my observation as well. IMO, it's because all the movement and sounds created by heavier winds makes it more difficult for them to detect predators. However, for this same reason it may be a good time to hunt more open areas where deer can see approaching predators more easily. I prefer a slight breeze myself because it helps carry your scent away, so long as your stand is positioned to take advantage of it.

Heck yeah

Stay home. Deer will be too spooky.

Good advice unless it’s you’re only day to hunt then go and enjoy Gods creations

I also hunt mostly wooded areas (Deep East Texas) and a stiff wind that blows the timber around will definitely affect deer movement. I'm not talking 10-15 mph winds but anything in excess of 20 mph (and gusts) for long periods will have them seeking good bedding cover and the edges of openings.

Many areas around Athens are heavily timbered and it is quite 'hilly' a lot of places up there as well. So it depends your terrain. But if you are hunting heavy timber (hardwoods and pine) try to find places that offer a bit of shelter from the wind.

Leeward side of hills or stands of timber. IF there are stands of 'planted pines' (old enough to have an under-story) that is where my deer head to. They can see a long way underneath it, it shelters them from the wind and it has a pine straw floor to lay on.

In any case....you aren't going to see any deer sitting in your living room on the couch, so get out there. Best of luck.

Next week's full moon isn't going to help either.

I snuck out for a hunt this morning. No wind. Saw no animals anyway.

I remember asking my dad if we always walked into the wind so the deer couldn’t smell us. He said yes and you smell pretty damn loud!

On cold windy days either late morning or early afternoon

I missed out on the opportunity to shoot a 170 inch deer 2 years ago bc I thought it was to windy to go hunting. Checked my camera the next day and he was at my hand corn with 2 does for about 3 hours that day. I wanted to throw up. Never seen him again. 30+mph wind

Yes, those late evenings when gusty winds grow calm can be very productive, especially if they carried rain with them.

I've two schools of thought on this. Yes, wind does seem to slow movement to an extent. Maybe not as much in west Texas vs east. However, I have found when the wind is howling deer tend to come out in the open to use their vision, I think it screws up their sense of smell and direction. Just my observations.

Hunt when you can, deer have nowhere else to go...

A few days ago, we had a nice windstorm here in the Panhandle, with about 20-30 mph winds and gusts to 40. Watched deer that evening come out and act like it was just another day at the office. I've also killed a nice 150 class in similar winds.

I recently read an article in D&DH about what deer do in high winds, and the studies showed that deer move well in 0-15 and 30+ winds. That 15-30 slot seemed to slow activity, IIRC.

This. If I am hunting where I am not limited to a single stand or area, I use the wind to my advantage. The wind can disguise my sound and movement while still hunting. And there are no scent issues by moving into or quartering into the wind. I am able to hunt this way on both places I hunt, so on some days I look forward to the wind.

Wind- places in Wes Texas where the winds really blows is common and I see deer movement all the time and they
still go to the feeders.

When bucks are rutting I see them in the wind still trying to score with a hot doe.

The weatherman is not always right- seen winds supposed to be howling and then it blows about half of what they say.
The weatherman says it is supposed to be calm and then it blows hard. Best job to have because you still get paid to be wrong.

Go out and hunt when you can. You never know what you might see.

Ive always thought o heck no i’m staying home when its windy here, which is pretty often in Nolan county. This year I was home a lot more then ever before. I’ve hunted a few days with 35 mph winds straight from the south and saw the same deer I see every other time im out lol.. so IMO just go out and give it a shot. You’ll never see um sitting on the couch