Get out there and get a big one, most of the bigger deer I have killed was in nasty weather they will lay down until pretty wet get up shake like a dog and walk around. As to keeping the gun in ready status a good cows knee well greased, with the gun tucked under your arm or coat works for me, I am not a stalker, find a place sit down stay as dry as possible and wait on bambi to stroll bye. You can put a bees wax seal around the pan and frizzen but I never found this necessary, the other thing is check the prime often and if needed wipe out the pan with a dry piece of cloth and re-prime. Good Luck.