The American Beagler Forum

I have been told that the berometer pressure has a big affect on rabbit running. I was told anything over 30.00 is good. If its under, the rabbits will hole due to hurting the ears (?) . This came from a old beagler. Is this a true fact/statement ? Any stories with good running while pressure was low? Thanks Chad24

true i dont think it hurts ears usually a drop is bad weather same for fishing.

This topic was on Chris Miller's board sometime back. Alot of people agreed that barometric pressure, did effect scenting conditions. However, unlike the old man told you, their thoughts were exactly opposite. They thought if it was over 30, it was bad scenting conditions. Someone even went as far to say, that they would not even get their dogs out of the kennel, if it was over 30. Nothing was said about its effects on the rabbits ears.

After reading all the opinions from the people, I started watching this myself. Every time I go hunting, I check before I leave the house, and when I get back. Alot of the time, I will also call home (while hunting)and ask my wife if it has changed, and what it is at that time. I know, she thinks I'm crazy too.

My findings are as follows:
When the pressure is above 30.00, the scenting is not as good. It don't matter if it is wet or dry, if the pressure is high.
When it is above 30.35, it makes good dogs look stupid. Its those days when you see a rabbit, put the dogs on it, and they just can't run it.
The best running day I've had this year, was with a falling barometric pressure. It started out at 30.04 when I left home. When I called home it was 30.02 About 3 hours later (when I got home)it was 29.92 Later the same evening it went to 29.84

So I believe when it is falling, it is the best, especially if it is below 30.00

I go hunting every opportunity that I have. If the pressure is up, I still go. I won't let high pressure keep me home. If it is low or falling, I go with alot more enthusiasm.

Hope this helps,

Bart

Wow bart, that is some great information. I used to keep a journal of all my hunting, but a fire a few years back ended that. I have really thought about starting it back up again, this was some good info and it will make pay closer attention.

Thanks and good for you for taking the time

Goes

Bart, My wife thinks Im crazy too. Iwas crazy for marrying her though.

Bravo! I knew that barometric pressure affected fishing and to a lesser extent big game hunting, but this is really good food for thought. I will keep a closer eye on it myself.

Here's one more thing to keep an eye on: Wind

I don't know if it's psychological or really is a fact, but if the wind is coming out of the East, my hunting and fishing both seem to take a turn for the worse. Keep an eye on it where you play and see if it seems to make a difference. North and west winds are real good unless blowing too hard. I'm talking more along the line of currents, not howling tornado like wind.

Does anybody keep an eye on the Dewpoint? It seems to me, when the dewpoint #'s are close to the humidity #'s (within 10 either way) it's usually pretty good running.

Just checked the Barometric pressure here. It's 30.25 and dropping, and here I am at work!

Now your really making my noggin hurt Bob.

The low presssure will keep the scent low to the ground, and high pressure allows it to rise straight up. Take a look at the chimney smoke the next time out. If it is going straight up, the running will be tough, if its spreading out and hanging, it should be good. Thats what the old timers say anyway. To me it really doesn't matter a good dog with nose can gear down and run on the bad days and head up fly on the good ones. If anyone has an extra one hanging around let me know.

barometric pressure was 29.62 this morning and falling so i thought...hey should be a great day but it was average at best. im sure there is a few factors involved, but falling pressure alone didnt help us today. im going to start keeping track of the weather conditions for a couple months or so and see if i can find anything that seems to point toward good/bad running.

This is all very interesting to say the least! Really makes one stop and think and that is a good thing

I went out this afternoon for around 4 hrs of running. I noticed we have a low pressure front moving in here (supposed to rain tonight) and the pressure was falling according to the local weatherman. Indeed, I had some knock-out running, as I was just running dogs today and not carrying a gun...heads up and the dogs were flying, a few rabbits about got ate

DarrenG,
Just curious, was it close to, or below 30.00?

Thanks,

Bart

I think that maybe rabbit hunting has become to complicated, maybe the attention should be paid to the nose and brains that the hounds possess? A simple solution is find a better dog.

klrconcrete,
I haven't seen a dog yet, (at a field trial or anywhere else)that can run great, when the pressure is real high. I have seen the good nosed dogs jump them, but could not hardly run it, esspecially not driving the track, like when it is low pressure. If you have any that can consistantly run the hair off of a Cottontail, no matter the weather, I would like to buy them.

Bart

Bart, I do not know whether the barometric pressure effects my dogs or not I do not pay attention to it or the wind etc. if I can stand it and have the time I run Im out there, I refuse to accept one more reason why they cant run I seem to consistently run and kill Hare which is all I have where I live in a variety of conditions -am I lucky? I dont know I did not post to start a argument I posted to make a statement breed for dogs that run all the time- excuse free!