I like to be between 20-25 ft, all depending on the cover behind you. Does not matter if the deer can not smell you if he can see you. You can never "hunt the wind" as some would say(IMO). The wind shifts, upper thermal and lower thermals. Sometimes the deer just walk behind you and downwind, any scent control would be good. There are a lot of good ideas on this site. I always keep the wind in my face and have certain stands for certain winds. Seems to work for me.

always use the wind to your advantage. You have to have the wind in your face.....

I believe we should all "try" to hunt the wind. But I still believe it can be a perfectly still morning/evening and 2hrs later the wind picks up against your back. Then you have to make the decision-move and take a chance of being busted or- stay put and hope your cover scent/stand position works. Also their is always the chance that "Luck" will be on your side. Thats why they call it hunting. LT

Always stay downwind. I cant tell u how many times I have been busted while sitting in a treestand. I always thought that if u were up high then the deer wouldnt smell you....man was Iwrong.......

Build a small fire outside and sit on one side of it. In fifteen minutes of time, you will see the wind change directions several times. I think your best bet is to get high in a stand.

Ok all your advice is good but has anyone killed anything with wrong wind

Yep, but there are a lot of reasons why. This year both bucks I shot were behind me, but both were focused on other things. During the rut is your best chance. I also practice scent control. I dress in the field wash my clothes in scent free soap. Shower with scent free soap before I go out. I also use deaddown wind products.

Scent control clothing and other garments

I like new base layers eat orders, X-sent and scent-lok make some. Also the suits, all these things help, but one thing I know works for sure is to shoot the deer before he smells you!!

Sure, I was high enough in the tree and my scent blew over the deer. BTW, I don't use any scent products. Wash my clothes in plain water, air dry and totally play the wind. Shoot a few deer too.

hunting the wind is a little over rated. i hunt here in maryland and i can get a nice mature buck on the grond about every other year.im not the best hunter but i can kill im for sure. sure if your setting up in between a bedding and a feeding you should try to hunt the wind.but the wind mite change.now some people say get down and go somewhere us.well you going to be walking longer then sitting.i can hunt alot and have 100s of deer around me each year.i know when deer sometimes spoke around me its normally because they caugt movement.during the rut most of the time there isnt a rime of reason were that buck mite come from.if you want to kill mature deer or any deer for that manner hunt were they are and hunt as much as you can.also make sure you make it count when he steps out.

Madeline, I would guess that 99.99% of PROVEN big buck slayers would disagree with your statement about the wind being overrated....