The Wild Ride Continues

Our temperature pendulum keeps on swinging as central Iowa goes from 50s and 60s this weekend, to possibly 70s for the first half of the upcoming week. Then colder winds and rain will send the thermometer plummeting into the 40s mid-week.

These swings can play havoc with deer activity, especially when the surface barometric pressure is swinging wildly as well. Generally cold weather and high pressure is one of the best combinations to hunt, but a strong low pressure can also foster a spike in deer activity even if it's warm especially if light rain or snow accompanies that low. This happens often when a cold front moves through, and often the inclimate weather seems to remind the game animals to stock up on food before the storm.

Latest Winter Outlook from NOAA

At some point late in fall or early in winter (probably December), we'll transition to an active but cooler pattern. Here is the latest winter outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Regardless of the weather deer activity is picking up as the rut approaches, so get out in the woods if you have the chance. The next three weeks could be the best time to bag a big one. In my next blog I'll talk about the activity I've been seeing and where that places us in the rut phases.