hoytman62 Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 I am new at bow hunting Whitetail Deer. Second year. Really enjoy it but I can't get to understand the concept of placing your tree stand down wind, cross wind , etc.. I'm a pilot and the wind will blow different directions maybe each day at times. Can anyone explain this concept to me? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maine Hntr Posted February 15, 2014 Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 Well I'm sure there are guys on here that can explain it better but I'll start by saying that you first need to locate the area in which you will be hunting and this should be based on food, water, bedding and travel corridors to and from those locations, once you've located that you should find a stand location where the deer will enter from the side or in front of you and have the wind in your face. Being a pilot you should be familiar with prevailing winds or where the wind tends to come from the most in your locale, these are the best places for stands because you will probably get to hunt that stand set most but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way so you should try and set a few different stand sets based on different winds and conditions.. A lot of prep goes into finding those perfect spots but if you're after the big guy all stars usually have to align! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoytman62 Posted February 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2014 Thanks!! Makes sense!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elkoholic Posted February 16, 2014 Report Share Posted February 16, 2014 While the concept of being downwind is obvious, in actual practice it is not a perfect science. During the course of a day (or a minute) the wind direction may change multiple times. In mountainous or hilly terrain this is a guaranteed occurrence and is complicated more by thermal currents. Many times the best location for a stand is contradicted by prevailing winds and should only be hunted on the rare occasion that the wind is favorable. Prevailing wind direction predictions throughout the day can be obtained through various programs such as http://www.scoutlookweather.com/ (the scout map then scent cone feature). Good scent control practices along with the use of cover scents can help offset temporary wind direction shifts. Set your stand according to prevailing winds (or thermals) but having multiple stand sites to take advantage of varying conditions is a better option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted February 18, 2014 Report Share Posted February 18, 2014 If you follow only one rule it should be play the wind . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrown Posted February 20, 2014 Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 Throw you a loop, how many mature bucks do you see that walk with the wind at their back vs. nose in the wind? Deer play the wind also, I believe the key is scent control, and stand placement. I usually hunt out of the fork of a tree, then move according to the deer. I had a buck this year come in from up wind and stood there and looked up at me, his goal was to bust me, even though he couldn't smell me. BTW, use native forage to cover your scent, cow poop, rag weed.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 20, 2014 Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 Down Wind Cow poop works well for a cover scent. Have watched bucks run with the wind during the rut before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrown Posted February 20, 2014 Report Share Posted February 20, 2014 Bucks do run with the wind, but your hunting for that 1 time that for the buck to get complacent to capitalize. I usually use western ragweed or broomweed, slap it on my scentloc as I'm walking to the stand. Coon urine would be another good one. Consistancy and changing stand locations via deer movement would be my recommendation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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