ORIGINAL: GMMAT
Here's another good example of what I think you're getting at, Duke.
I had the same 3 bucks entering a bean field in the same place.....every time we had a west wind. If I read you right.....they could use their noses to protect them from anything in the thicket (they were downwind of it)....and their eyes to scan the beans.
Word.
If I remember your situation correctly.. those bucks would continue feeding down the beans headed north. Out a certain distance from the woods.
The whole way down they would be downwind of the heavier cover.. predators hide in that cover and deer can't see into that well.. so they'll use their noses to defend themselves on that side.. while using their sight to scan the open terrain.. which no predator could sneak up on.
It's my theory. It can't be proven.. no. But I believe they want to be able to use at least 2 of their senses at all times.
But it does help me choose the trail I want to hunt on that particular hunt. Because of the wind. Savy?