If you don't want to read the background info, there are three questions at the end.

On a piece of property I hunt, I found a clearing adjacent to a wooded draw that deer roam. They often bed at the head of the draw and feed in some river-bottoms nearby. Because of two steep gullies at its lower end (vertical sides and 20' deep), the deer can't follow the draw all the way to the bottoms and instead have to come up the side of the draw, hop a barbed wire fence, and move into the clearing. It's classic bottleneck/funnel situation.

There's a a cliff facing northeast that overlooks the clearing (150' high) and also gives you a view into the draw. The wind tends to be from the south (blowing over the clearing), though, and it's a steep shot.

Here are my questions:

1.) Would I be ok to hunt 150' above a clearing in the morning even if wind is at my back? I'm thinking that thermals would keep my scent above the deer. Is that correct thinking?

2.) What your thoughts are about a steep shot down hill? I'm not sure how to aim the shot and am concerned about wounding a deer.

3.) Can you cross a deer trail and be ok if the wind is not blowing your scent toward the deer? I can see a couple of other places to set up, but the deer would be coming across my backtrail as they move from their bedding and feeding areas.