Originally Posted by
TBsportsman
Just to add on to this because I don't want to be disagreeable. I personally believe deer go where they want to (at least regarding feeding) regardless of the wind direction, but they might hook around and scent check a vulnerable area first. You just need to be downwind of where they hook around.
I think there could be some benefit to some scent control measures, but a lot of it is a waste of time and money. Hunting the right wind is critical. Keep in mind, that regardless of your scent control measures, you will leave ground scent, so if you hunt the same spot repeatedly, it won't take them long to figure it out. Don't walk in over a path you expect deer to cross, or upwind of where they are bedded or feeding at night.
A 5+ year old deer is likely to just wait until dark. I rarely see mature bucks moving in the daylight with the wind at their back.
I see it with trail cams all the time. Guys will get all exited seeing a daylight pattern(they say I could have shot him if I was in that stand) but I keep track of wind direction and the vast majority of the time it shows he had the wind and could not have been killed from that stand.
Gotta play angles
Your not wrong, they often go where they want but the wind plays a part in when and how they get there.