Barometric pressure is one of the most significant weather factors in deer movement. Although barometric pressure is a key factor in deer movements, it can be challenging to measure. Is it ascending? Is it descending? Most likely, you don’t have the equipment or technology necessary to determine whether the barometric pressure is ideal for deer movement in your hunting bag. You also need to know the best barometric pressure for deer hunting.
A high, stable barometer is also good hunting. After compiling our results, whitetails seem to move best when the pressure is between 29.90 and 30.30 inches with the best movement occurring at the higher end of that range, around 30.10 to 30.30 inches.
What is the best barometric pressure for deer hunting?
The impact of barometric pressure on deer activity has been the subject of several investigations. According to research by Illinois biologist Keith Thomas, whitetails feed most frequently when the barometric pressure is between 29.80 and 30.29 inches. Deer activity should be at its peak when the barometer is in this range, either decreasing or increasing.
They can change their feeding patterns significantly before the advent of adverse weather and after a front has passed since they are aware of when conditions are changing.
The ratio of bucks to does sighted when the pressure is between 30.00 and 30.40 is a startling 1 to 1 if you wish to see bucks! There were only 3 times as many deer observed when the temperature dropped between 29.8 and 30.00, which reduced your chance of spotting a buck to 1 in 3.
The first day of a high-pressure system after heavy rain or snow is when the action is at its peak. Prior to a storm, looking for a falling barometer might also be a successful tactic. You may expect some form of front to be heading in when you notice the barometric pressure drifting downward. This can also be a fantastic time to watch deer on the move.
Barometric pressure changes indicate a storm is approaching and that temperatures are getting cooler. Deer will be more active during this time since they dislike getting caught in the rain more than anyone else.
So long as you seek the beginning of the cold front, hunting a low-pressure system can be profitable. It’s best to take a position over the feeding areas or food plots as soon as the pressure starts to drop. You can hunt trails as the deer go toward their bedding areas as the pressure continues to decrease.
Why do deer like high barometric pressure?
Whitetails (and other animals) being able to sense the change in barometric pressure is likely Mother Nature’s way of protecting the herd. The shift in pressure signals to the animals that they might need to rest for a while, so they should “put on the feed bag” before the approaching weather front.
Do deer move more when the barometric pressure rises?
No, barometric pressure does not seem to consistently impact deer movement (nor any other weather factor for that matter).
How do you read barometric pressure for deer hunting?
Deer like a pressure above 30.00 in. And if you want to see bucks, the ratio of bucks to does sighted when the pressure is between 30.00 – 30.40 is a staggering 1 to 1!
Can deer feel barometric pressure?
Deer do not have a barometric pressure indicator in their head. Instead, they base their movement decisions on the tangible, physical changes they can feel. These observable, physical changes include variations in temperature, moisture content (humidity), wind speed, and direction.
Does humidity affect deer movement?
Deer prefer humidity between 40 and 50 percent. If it’s 70 degrees out and the humidity is 70 percent, there won’t be much daylight activity even if you’re 5 degrees below average temperature as stated above.
Will deer move before a storm?
Like a person who attempts to finish their tasks before a storm since they know it’s coming, deer movement also increases dramatically ahead of and immediately in the wake of a weather front. Any time there’s a weather change, you’re going to have considerable deer movement.
What is the best temperature for deer hunting?
In my opinion, it’s any temperature swing (up or down) of 15 to 20 degrees (or more) within a 24-hour period. When those extremely cold spells occur, be sure to wear your sturdy King’s Camo hunting attire. Deer appear to really get moving when there are weather fronts.
Final Thoughts
While there are numerous aspects that continuously successful hunters take into account, barometric pressure is one of the most prevalent and important factors considered. The higher the pressure, the better the movement.
Early in the season, high pressure might be slightly above 30.1 or 30.00, but as the season progresses and the atmosphere cools, high pressure is characterized differently with readings surpassing 30.3 or 30.4.
30.1, which is high at the start of the season, is average or below average by the end.
