do white tail deer move when it's snowing?

[bowhunter64]

never bow hunted when it was snowing and was wondering if anyone new if they moved or bedded during snow.
not expecting more than an inch.

[Brent]

I don't think an inch of snow should affect them a great deal. In general through my experiences they don't tend to move around as far when snowing and adverse weather, they tend to stay in heavy cover to stay away from the elements.

[Stumpjumper]

Bowhunter64:

Down here in Louisiana we do not get snow very often--I do remember a snow about 15 years ago --I headed for the woods behind my house feeling I would not see any deer --I had not seen any while hunting anyway,but what the heck,its snowing and a walk in the woods during snow got to be beautiful--
Away I went--Stalking like I knew what I was doing--"I'm gonna see deer" I said to myself after I got there--At one point I even caught myself answering myself--It was cold--My mind was playing tricks with me--After about an hour of holding my ole shotgun (two buckshot and one slug) at the "ready",I decided to shoulder it for a while--After a few more "relaxed" steps-I heard the loudest "rustle" of noise just ahead of me then focused on nothing but "flags" just a bouncing across the woods--Gun on shoulder I was too shocked to react.

What one must remember is deer are just like you and me--They have to "feed" just like we do--While it is true that a strong change in the weather does affect movement, it does not mean that they do not move at all--I have seen a many ole wiley buck "sit tight" in a clump of weeds so small you would think not even a rabbit could hide there even on a warm sunny day.

Again, just like us here in Louisiana, the deer I spooked that snowy morning was indeed just like me--That was probably their very first snow and besides being out for a bite to eat, they were enjoying the beautiful day as well.

BTW--I said I would never tell anyone this but its kinda funny--I "thought" I had a couple of buckshot and a slug in my ole shotgun----Turned out they were in my coat pocket---No matter tho--I enjoyed that hunting trip and so glad I was not able to draw a bead on those beautiful animals in such a beautiful place,

[beeell]

Take it from a guy who hunts maybe 4 weekends a year in the snow. Deer move plenty when its on the ground, and even when its light to moderate in the air, but hunker down when its heavy. As you'd expect, if they can't see real well, they're probably not moving around too much. Besides, hunting in those conditions is hunting with a blindfold on anyway. At that point its time to head in, and watch the huntin shows from Texas.

[Yooper]

If all you're expecting is an inch, it might not effect their movement in the slightest. Unless you're in an area that isn't known for snow, then you might see a little less movement.

Is it snowing now, or is it just "called for" by the weather guys? What I would do is go to your hunting area and look for the heaviest cover to have as a back-up area. When I know a front is moving in and it's going to snow, I'll find that bit of cover that I'm pretty sure they're going to head to, and set up in a location to give me a chance at those moving deer. Some of the best deer movement I've ever seen is just at the leading edge of a weather front.

The really cool thing about being out at that time is being there. If any of you have ever been out in a heavy wooded area when a heavy snow starts to fall, you know what I mean, You hear the loud ringing of snowflakes hitting branches and watch as it quickly accumulates on the floor. It's pretty cool. Kinda Ted-Nugent-Spirit-O-The-Wild stuff.

[OhioOutdoorsman]

Beeell is right on about the snow. His experiences are the same as mine. I will also say that I usually see a spike in deer activity right before a cold front moves in. In addition, after a really long, cold snow (several days, <25 degrees) expect extremely high deer activity......close to as active as during the rut. By the way, has anyone experienced deer "yarding" during extreme weather?

[Flatcoat1]

Seen many deer in the snow - before, during and after. I have noticed that while it is snowing that they do move a little slower. I feel that anytime you take away a sense - in this case both hearing and seeing - that they may be a little more cautious. After a snow if it gets crunchy, they are super skittish. I have had times when over six inches of snow fell on me while hunting from a tree stand. Luckily I was dressed well and the deer were moving. A good friend told me once - the deer are out there and not sitting inside. Get out and enjoy.

[Greg]

i have found in New Brunswick ,Canada,the deer seem to be more active just before and in the early part of a snowfall it seems to wind them; I have seen some very nice bucks during these times, it can be really exciting!