Whitetail Forecast
Live Columbus-area forecast

Ohio deer movement today

Early-season Ohio whitetails are still mostly on food-to-bed patterns. Use today’s Movement Index for a Columbus-area read, then run your exact ZIP in the free app for stand-level wind and timing.

64
Fair
Movement Index · Columbus, OH

Good — Stick to your best spots and be disciplined. This isn't a day to gamble on a new location.

As of Monday, September 7, 2026 at 10:51 PM · Confidence: High — All key inputs are reliable and well-defined. This is a high-accuracy forecast.

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Best sit today

Morning stand (6:40 AM – 8:55 AM) — solid window. Be in your stand 30–45 min before the window opens.

Season phase: early-season

Best movement times

  • 6:40 AM – 8:55 AM
  • 6:04 PM – 8:19 PM
  • 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Movement periods

Early Morning
6:40 AM – 8:55 AM
Good · 76/100
Midday
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Fair · 42/100
Evening
6:04 PM – 8:19 PM
Good · 72/100

Weather snapshot

  • 68°F
  • Wind E at 7 mph
  • Pressure steady
  • Waning Crescent moon

Top movement factors

  • Wind: 7 mph — favorable wind that tends to keep scent moving predictably without overloading deer senses.
  • Rain Clearing Boost: High residual humidity (83%) with clearing conditions — deer that held tight during rain are likely to move aggressively as weather improves.
  • Warm Front: 1°F warming trend — slight negative that may shift movement toward dusk rather than dawn.
  • Cloud Cover: 79% cloud cover — reduced light and stable thermals that can make deer more comfortable moving during daylight.
  • Season: Early Season: Deer follow predictable food-source patterns. Target mast crops and ag fields at dawn and dusk.