cameras eye Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 Each of us brings to this forum our experiences and things we've learned from others. I've been hunting for over forty years and still enjoy conversing with fellow hunters and hearing of their experiences, for through our talks we all pick up tid-bits we can use in future hunts. Question, how can we gain the best knowledge on wind direction. I've seen the recent hunting shows on TV. Most all of the hunters use a small puff sprayer which sprays a small amount of powder into the air. From the ground, it will show a hunter the wind direction at their present elevation. But what about the tree stand hunter? I have found wind currents can differ depending on elevation and the topography at ground level. The powder sprayer will tell me what the wind direction is at my elevation in my tree stand, but will not always tell me what changes are present at ground level. What I've been using for over thirty years is simple to put together and extremely inexpensive. I now carry a small 35 mm. film canister packed with cotton balls. When I get into my tree, and several times throughout my hunt, I'll check wind direction and the thermal conditions. The wind velocity will determine how much of the cotton fibers I use, but in all tests, I simply remove a small amount of cotton fibers and release them into the wind. The white fibers are easy to follow for long distances and they tell me two very important things: 1) They show me if there are any wind direction changes at ground level and where those changes are and 2) The fibers either rise or fall as they travel. This tells me the present thermal conditions of the wind currents. (Is my scent rising over or falling to the buck in front of me). In mountainous areas and especially tree stands, knowing this can be especially valuable. The idea came to me when I was a member of the "Stump Sitters" some thirty years ago. I recently saw a marketed product using the same idea. But Hey, for less than a buck, anyone can have and use what I call the Thermal Windicator. Give it a try. I hope it helps your hunt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I'll do you one better, and they're cheaper. Go out into nearly any field in the U.S. (probably Canada too) and pick a few milkweed pods. Make sure you get them in early October before they open up. Stick one in you pocket and when you're not too sure about the wind, pull out a few, knock the seed off and let them go. I just read about this tip in American Hunter last month, not the actual milkweed pod, but you get the idea. 2 weeks ago I saw a doe down wind of me but she wasn't snorting or acting like she smelled me, so I let a few milkweeds go, and I'll be darned if those things didn't float right over her butt. No kidding. Another time, last week when I saw a big buck, I was worried where my scent was going, so I let one go. It floated behind me, then turned left, and as it neared the ground, it turned right and floated right out into the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameras eye Posted November 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Another great idea, Tominator. Until I tried this method of testing the wind currents, I never realized just how easy those currents change. Enjoy the Hunt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Another great idea, Tominator. Until I tried this method of testing the wind currents, I never realized just how easy those currents change. Enjoy the Hunt! Yeah, they sure do. You don't have to worry too much when you have a steady breeze, but it sure is fun to watch that milkweed on those nights/mornings when the wind is tough to discern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I use Scent Lok. "Forget the wind, just hunt." :clown: :ninja: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I don't really worry about the wind after I'm in the stand, the decision's been made at that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Thanks for the tip and welcome to the forums. I don't really worry about the wind after I'm in the stand, the decision's been made at that time. Yeah, kinda sorta the same here. May just have to give the cotton balls a try though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kid Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I use Scent Lok. "Forget the wind, just hunt." :clown: :ninja: Yup that sums it up right there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I don't really worry about the wind after I'm in the stand, the decision's been made at that time. Yes, but there's still adjustments you can make whilst in the stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted November 18, 2009 Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Yes, but there's still adjustments you can make whilst in the stand. Do tell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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