Look to The Sky for Success



In a warm pattern like this, the days all seem to look the same on the 7-day forecast. Isolating subtle weather details can make all the difference in discovering good hunting/fishing activity. Subtle weather changes are often displayed in the clouds, so learn to read the sky and become a better outdoorsman.



Cirrus Clouds



Clear sky or Cirrus clouds. These wispy clouds are made of ice crystals and occur at high levels in the atmosphere. Cirrus are often a sign of high pressure. Add in a light wind and cool temperatures and the hunting will be about as fair as the weather. Fishing activity is usually slow, the bite is subtle and most game fish are close to cover.

Cirrostratus

Cirrostratus-Altostratus. These clouds are mid to high level clouds that are thicker in nature than just a few wispy cirrus. Jet stream energy usually makes these clouds and they’ll often come just hours before a change in the weather. It’s hard to tell how strong the storm will be by just the clouds alone, but if the pressure’s falling and meteorologist’s are calling for a low moving in with rain or snow followed by much colder conditions impacting your area -both hunting and fishing will be good before the storm. Game animals feed recklessly especially when mist, drizzle and light snow are thrown into the forecast, so hunt food sources and watch out for shifting winds. In a warm pattern like this, where precipitation is not in the forecast, these clouds may be your best sign for a good hunt. When these clouds move in during the afternoon/evening, hunt food sources and expect above average game movement. 

Cumulus Clouds

Cumulus Clouds. These “fair weather” clouds are in the lower layer of the atmosphere. They often occur in the transition zone behind or in front of storms. Game activity can swing either way with these clouds so we’ll just call this a neutral indicator of activity. Temperature, pressure tendency and wind speed will have more of an impact.

Stratus, Nimbostratus & Fog. Stratus are flat, sheet-like, low level clouds that will often give the sky that charcoal-grey look. Nimbostratus are just stratus clouds with precipitation falling from them. Hunting in rain,snow, or fog is often a topic of debate. In my experience, as precipitation gets heavier - game activity is reduced. My general rule is, if you don’t want to be out in it then neither do they. There is a big exception. While the overall game movement may be down, quality bucks really move when the weather seems at its worst –especially in snow. Some of the biggest deer and the best feeding activity I’ve seen has been in thick fog, mist or heavy snow. So don’t count these days out, just prepare your gear and mindset accordingly. You may be miserable for hours without seeing anything but in one moment it can all change.

Stratus Clouds

There are many different cloud types and learning to read the sky is just another piece of the outdoor puzzle. Putting it together can really boost your success!

Canadian high pressure will push into the state just in time for the last weekend of hunting season for most folks. This means some of the best conditions so far this January -cold with light winds and high pressure- will fall on the 7th and 8th. I hope you're able to take advantage of this good weather. Good luck with the end of the 2011 Hunting Season!