Barometric Pressure
Filed under: Ask Grant, Hunting Tactics
Dear Grant, Could you please explain how and why barometric pressure affects deer? Is it biological, social, or instinct? I have been trying to watch the barometer and time my hunting according to when the pressure is moving up or down in the range of 30 plus or minus .1 (my job always seem to get in the way). I understand why we feel the way we do when it is a cold, rainy day and the pressure is low. I do not understand why deer do not move all that much when the pressure is high. Thank you for everything you are doing. You are living my dream. Jesse
Jesse,
Several research biologists, including myself, have attempted to find a pattern of deer activity related to changes in barometric pressure. I’m not aware of anyone that has found any meaningful results. I think this is because of the huge number of additional influences such as wind speed, wind direction temperature, humidity, etc. In fact, I’ve tried very large, complicated statistical models that included these and more factors and still haven’t found a trend that predicts deer activity accurately.
Generically, I’m confident that deer move before and after significant changes in weather. However, since such changes can’t be predicted more than a few days in advance, there’s no way to plan hunting dates weeks ahead of time. After years of trying to find a pattern, the best I can offer is hunt when you can!
Growing Deer together,
Grant
