Opening day rain storms - What would you do?

[jdbell91]

Tomorrow is Indiana's opening day. We have had a lot of rain lately. Tomorrow's forecast calls for strong storms, 90% chance of rain and thunderstorms, wind at 20 mph, possible hail and a high of 70 degrees. At this point my plan is to hunt from a pop up blind in a field corner during rain storms. This is near the roosting sites.

I am also hunting on Thursday. The forecast currently calls for few showers (30% chance of rain), wind up to 21 mph and a high of 65 degrees.

The land I hunt is 122 acres with a mix of woods, farm fields, creeks and rivers. There are turkeys in the area, but not a huge population. I have heard gobbling and seen a tom on my trail camera where my blind is set up.

My questions to all of you are:

1. Given the weather forecast, would you still hunt opening day?
2. What strategies would you use on these kinds of days?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and knowledge.

Good luck to you,

Joe

[xcal1ber]

Heck yea id still hunt opening day! if your like me and have been couped up in the house since december, you couldnt stand to miss opening day[:D].. Now my strategies for bad rainy days would be similar to yours, just get in a blind and set up in a field corner. Turkeys love open fields during rain to help them dry off faster, they also get out in the open so they can see and hear better during the rain.. call sparingly..Even set up a couple decoys if you have em. Also if the rain quits then listen for them to maybe start gobbling again, a lot of times the rain will keep em from gobbling good on the roost and when it quits its seems like they like to get the days gobbling in then lol. As for the wind.. id still like to get in the field but if you can find some low lying areas out of the wind, or if your hunting mountainous areas then try to get on the lee side of the mountian..Thats just my advice, i hope it helps. Good luck on your season opener.

[jdbell91]

Thanks for your input, Brian. I plan to be out there unless the weather is completely unbearable. I thought my plan made sense, but I always like to hear the opinions of others on this forum.

If the rain stops I plan to get into the woods. I have a new ghillie suit I want to try out. The anticipation of opening day is killing me!!!

Good luck to you on the rest of your season.

[xcal1ber]

No problem man, if you have any other questions, just ask. Theres all kinds of veteren hunters here who would love to help you out....and good luck to you this season!