Forget the windicator and pick some milkweed pods, picked it up off The Hunting Beast and I'll never go back to powder.
I usually just buy another one. Get them on sale at the end of the season for like 2$ a piece. Buy 10 or so and you're good for a few seasons. I usually wash them or loose them before I run out anyways.
There is no comparison! The powder dissipates so quickly you can only see the direction of wind in your immediate area. With the milkweed seeds you gain a better picture of what the wind is doing 10-20-30-40+ yards from you. Plus, you can really see those thermals and how they can effect your hunts in the AM and PM hours. The powder just dissappears too quickly IMO.
I am curious about the Milkweed pods. What container do you use? How do you send them in the air? Is it convenient? I like the squeeze bottle for the powder system, it's easy to carry and use.
So what's the real, tangible benefit of the milkweed over a powder indicator? I understand the concept of the milkweed floating on the air current and showing you what your wind is doing for a longer distance but how does that really help you? I assume most people are like me and they pick the stand they're going to hunt based on the current wind direction prior to heading out. So let's say it's 1.5 hours before light you're at your farm and decide on a stand to hunt based on the observed wind direction at your truck. You get ready, walk 1/4-1/2 mile in, climb up, get situated and wait for light. It finally turns light enough to see well so you let some milkweed go and see that it's headed to an area you don't like. Are you getting down and moving elsewhere? I know I'm not. Aside from possibly gaining a better understanding of wind currents and thermals for future reference I'm not entirely sure I see the true benefit of this technique. Although I could be missing something?
What he said...... I chosen stand based on the forecasted wind, if I get there and the wind is different i may chose to go to another stand or, I may go with the houly forecasted wind anyway...more often then not it's correct. The scent cone tool on scout look is fantastic ....I would take that over anything else at this point z If I and spot and stalking out west I carry as small bottle of talcum power and base my stalk accordingly.
Well you said it yourself about learning about thermals and wind currents. That is valuable information in hill country. Another thing is in some cases you might want to hunt a stand where the wind is "iffy". You will physically see if the deer walking along the trail you are hunting will smell you before it walks into your shooting lane. To me there is no disadvantage.
I have a little rubber coin purse and put them in there. Its as small and probably lighter than the windicator.
