Do Deer Move in the Rain?

Most people will stay at home when it rains. Most animals will look for shelter during storms. But will deer do the same? What do these beautiful creatures do when it’s raining?

Would you believe us if we told you that deer can survive very harsh weather conditions and may even prefer foraging when it’s raining? However, this is only a small part of what we’ll share today. Keep reading to learn why deer will and will not move in the rain, where they’ll hide during strong storms, and whether deer hunting in the rain is worth it!

Are Deer Active in the Rain?

Yes, deer are active in the rain, but not as much as when the weather improves. Their bodies are adapted to survive very harsh weather conditions. So, what we consider rainfall, deer consider just a drizzle. However, if the wind is very strong, most deer will hide and wait for it to pass.

Moreover, deer prefer going out in the rain. Why? Because they are prey to many other animals, and foraging for food during rainfall protects them from predators. The rain noise will cover the noise they make, so they can easily move from one place to another.

On the other hand, if we’re talking about heavy rainfall, deer may want to pass on that one. Why? Well, while their bodies can indeed sustain harsh conditions, and it may be safer for them to forage when it’s raining, their hearing and nervous system are affected by loud noises. Thus, they prefer foraging once the weather improves.

How Do Deer Survive in Severe Weather Conditions?

Even though a deer’s body is adapted to severe weather conditions, it may sometimes be difficult for them to find food during severe storms or winds. However, deer, like other animals, have the ability to “feel” when rain is coming. So if they sense a storm is coming, they start looking for and stocking up with food to last until the storm is gone.

Where do deer hide if they don’t come out in the rain? Keep reading to find out!

Where Do Deer Go in the Rain?

Did you know that deer spend a lot of their time hiding in areas where they feel safe to sleep and ruminate? If they feel secure enough, they can even fall asleep. That’s what they do when storms “settle in.” So where do they go? 

Deer may look for cedar thickets, which are among deer favorites, thanks to their thickness and denseness. Then, if their habitat isn’t dense, deer will look for regions with more trees and will hide there. Moreover, deer near crop fields will definitely choose them as hiding places. Soybean or tall corn, for instance, provides excellent weather protection. Since deer are known for being pretty sociable with humans, they may also venture into suburban areas during storms. They may find shelter in barns or sheds.

Should You Deer Hunt in the Rain?

Deer hunting in the rain shouldn’t be a problem, as long as there’s no storm coming and the wind isn’t too strong. Otherwise, you’ll have trouble moving around and may not even find any deer, as they often hide in such situations.

But if it’s just a mild rain, you can easily venture into the woods looking for deer. You may even be luckier because, as we’ve already established, deer do not mind moving in the rain. Moreover, they have excellent vision, so walking in the rain, fog, or mist isn’t a problem. Did you know that white-tailed deer can see in a nearly 314-degree range? This means they can see anyone approaching them from behind!

Besides, while a disadvantage for deer, it’s an advantage for hunters – their sense of hearing is affected by rain. Deer cannot stay in the same place for too long when the weather is bad because the sound of rain will affect their hearing and make them nervous. Rain can also affect a deer’s sense of smell since it washes away scents and makes it difficult for them to “smell” the danger.

If you decide to go deer hunting in the rain, take suitable rain gear and a waterproof blind. Bring along something to cover yourself with while waiting for the deer – and patience, of course, because no one knows how much spotting a deer will take!

Incredible Deer Facts

If you’re here, you probably already know that deer are extraordinary wild creatures! Let’s find out some other things that make them unique!

1. White-tailed baby deer can learn how to stand within 20 minutes of being born! Within 60 minutes, they’re walking; within 24 hours, they’re running! Can you even imagine that they learn things so fast?
2. Generally speaking, only male deer have antlers. Female reindeer, however, grow antlers, too, although they aren’t as well-developed as those of bulls. Other females, like white-tailed deer, may also develop antlers, but this is considered an anomaly and rarely happens.
3. While most deer have brown-reddish fur, some deer have a unique coat color. Some deer are piebald, meaning they have brown fur with white spots or predominantly white fur. Then, there are albino deer, completely white, and melanistic deer, almost black. While a melanistic deer’s color is an advantage against predators, piebald and albino deer are easily spotted and killed.
4. We’ve already established that deer have very good vision. What we haven’t told you yet is that they see better during the night than humans and on cloudy days. That’s because they can’t really distinguish vibrant colors – most become shades of gray for deer. So when it’s cloudy, deer can better distinguish the colors around them.

Up Next:

• Deer Antlers: 10 Fun Facts You Should Know
• Deer in Headlights: Meaning and Origin Revealed
• How and Where Do Deer Sleep? Patterns and Habitats

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Martin Mecnarowski/Shutterstock.com