I have always heard to play the wind. I have been hunting for a couple of weeks now and have noticed that no matter which way the wind was blowing, deer have been traveling in every direction, from upwind, downwind and crosswind both ways. I have also been told that deer normally travel with the wind in there face. I have deer coming from every direction and I am getting dizzy. Any thoughts?
My experience with my hunting areas is the terrain, travel corridors, and routine play more into deer movement than the wind does. Now if a deer gets a little spooked or suspicious of a situation, it will try to circle downwind. Once the bucks start chasing the does all bets are off. So in "playing the wind", dont sit in a stand that will have the wind blowing to the most likely traveled path by the stand.
Agree with SOIL. In general try to put the wind to your face in regards to normal deer activity and travel. When the rut takes hold, those deer will do some DUMB things...so all bets are off and wind plays a little less of a factor.
Thanks guys. I hunt the panhandle of Florida so our rut is predicted to be around late Dec to early Jan. That's what got me thinking. They are just moving from every direction. I guess thats there routine. This is my first full season hunting this section of public land so I'm still trying to understand the property. I have to say that's why its called hunting and not just shooting.
