Hunting Wrong Side Of Cold Fronts?

Whitetail movement increasing after cold fronts is a commonly held belief among hunters.

But according to Ken Swenson of Swenson Whitetail Ranch, he sees something different. He raised trophy whitetails for years and had some interesting observations.

“Our deer absolutely increased their eating in a big way before a front arrives. A couple of days in advance, they eat, eat eat and then it actually slows down after the front comes,” he said.

His deer were captive and fed high protein diets but they are still whitetails and go through all of the same cycles as other deer.

“This certainly made me question my thoughts on cold fronts and deer,” Swenson said.

The observation makes sense as animals instinctively feed in advance of plummeting temperatures. Many hunters link cold fronts to not only deer feeding more after they hit but the rut but in fact, rutting cycles are not based on cold fronts either. Perhaps  hitting the field before a cold front hits is the ticket.

A study entitled, “The Rut in Whitetail Deer” put out by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department shows rutting is based on does going into estrus and deer actually rut in some parts of the state before cold fronts are even on the radar.

TPWD also reported that “Hunter chronology” has a lot to do with the perceived timing of the rut.

“Traditionally, hunters are more likely to be afield during cool weather. They will usually be out in force with the onset of the first weekend norther during the deer season. When there are many observers spending time in the field it is more likely that breeding activity will be noticed.”

So, what do you think?

Have you had success before cold fronts than after?

TF&G Staff