Hunting the Wind

Hello everyone. I'm new to bowhunting and am curious about a few things. In particular the subject of keeping the wind in one's favor. I'm aware that scent up wind of deer is not a good thing when hunting, but how exactly does a hunter stay on top of that? Being that winds shift and not knowing the general wind pattern when hunting a new spot. I'm sure this subject has been previously discussed and any answers, and or links to threads provided would be greatly appreciated.

 

I am surprised this thread, on which topic is so stressed by bowhunters, has no response.

 

Pick a spot you want to hunt, whether it be a good food source, scrape, rub line, what have you... and find the wind. If your prevailing wind goes to the spot, or crosses the path you expect the animal to come in on, simply move.

Move down wind and I don't mean just 3 trees over, I mean find a spot within bow range down wind of the spot you hunted. If you do this and get winded, move again. Hunting the wind is much harder than many think but simple once you know what to expect.

Be sure to scout for not only your location but the time of day in which you will be hunting it. Thermal drafts can switch direction and change the whole genre of a great spot. Kinda make it or break it. Good luck!

 

I have been hunting since 1988... I try to find out what direction is best suited for that stand, but do NOT let it deter me from hunting it should the time be right. I hunted for 11 days last week.. I sat every stand I have on my lease (11 different stands).. The wind shifted in every direction possible on every hunt !!!! Unless a major storm is blowing in, then winds will shift and swirl in the stand. Dont get down every time the wind shifts, you will never hunt. You will be moving every 5 minutes.. I get about 18-20 feet up and JUST HUNT !!!!! Shot 2 Bucks and 2 Doe's last week... And the wind was drifting their direction on several occassions... Was not busted all week... Obvoiusly don't hunt 50 yards from a bedding area with the wind at your back, shift off to the left or right and enjoy yourself... Its all about having a good time in the outdoors anyway..

 

use feathers in the stand to show you how the wind is carrying you scent. Save your best stands fro the best times. We all get busted from time to time. Just do the best you can. Also, sit 18-20ft up, that will help your scent stay off the ground.

 

Find the spot, set up that spot for most common wind patterns(you are going to have to research and check weather regularly) and keep a climber stand handy for irregular conditions. Important to be around 20' up. Like previously stated SAVE you best spots for best conditions(weather, rut, wind etc.). Variable winds are a touchy topic, some say absolutely do not hunt with variable winds and others say stick it out. Its really a judgment call, every situation is slightly different so make decisions accordingly. Wind is very important but don't let it keep ya out the woods. Can't kill em off your couch.

 

I am unfortunate that I only have one stand, thankfully it will allow a few different wind directions (as deer typically approach from only a few directions) however, recently I wasn't able to hunt that stand for nearly two weeks, because when I could hunt the wind was completely wrong. so I stayed out. This saturday it was right, and I harvested a deer out of it.

Lesson: hunt the wind, if it isn't favorable for the stand DONT HUNT IT... a deer will overlook a broken up human shape, occasionally they'll overlook minimal movement, but they will NEVER overlook human scent. this not only goes for the wind, but where you walk, what you touch, what you brush up against when you walk in.... I was hunting a wheat field, and watched a yearling buck stop dead in his tracks, and every muscle in his body tense up as he came across where I walked in.... he didn't take another step in my direction, and exited the field. if a yearling does this, imagine a mature deer?

just my two cents, I am no expert.

 

please take note that my advice pertains to ground hunting. For stand hunting, as said before, don't hunt in unfavorable winds for that stand, if you do you risk burning the stand for anywhere from the whole day to the whole season.

 

One thing that helps me to know what the wind is going to do. I use this website calls Scoutlook. It lets you place stands that you have on a property and check how far your scent will blow. It also shows what direction it will go for a couple hours even a couple days. I know it is not perfect hour by hour but it gives you an idea of a good stand placement.