What's your take on scent checking?
 

Do you thinkwind direction influences a deer's travel direction, such as moving downwind to scent check a field, scrapes,for predators, etc.
I think there is a misperception among some of us when it comes to scent checking & hunting favorable wind directions.
I'm not totally sold on the fact that deer can determine wind direction. If they could, then why don't they always enter fields, feeding areas, ect. from the downwind side?
What's your take?

RE: What's your take on scent checking?
 

You know, when you sit in a treestand for hours on end there is surely enough time to ponder these things. I wonder that myself many times. I can tell you that a good dog can determine wind direction and I've seen my buddies beagle run a hedge row on the down wind side and if he didn't head in, there was no rabbits in that hedge row.

You read where bucks will check a scrape from the downwind side or circle a caller/rattler so I believe they can determine wind directions. I often wonder if that's why mature bucks stay alive, never walking anywhere except into the wind regardless of direction....HHhmmmm makes ya wonder cause I've also seen mature animals walk with the wind, that goes against everything we hear.

Can they determine wind directions, I say they can but they don't always adhere to it.

RE: What's your take on scent checking?
 

I have another thought to ponder. I know we've all experienced this before so it's not too farfetched to understand.

Wind direction changes!! We've all read articles in popular hunting magazinesand have read many threads on HNI discussing the wind. Remember how many things influence the wind in any given spot? Terrain, cover, bluffs, trees and brush, etc etc.

My point is that depending onany oneof these factors, the wind could be coming from a different direction where the deer is in contrast to where the hunter may be positioned at the time!! I don't know how many times I've noticed the wind blowing from the NW while in my stand and after talking to my dad,I find out that he had a primary North or NE wind where his stand isseveral hundred yards away.

So while it may appear that a deer is not walking into the wind at all times, you may actually be surprised what the wind is doing, right where the deer is. Now I will be the first to admit that I've seen many deer coming in from an "upwind" direction of my stand...and I think some of it has to do with the lay of the land and how relaxed the deer is. Once a deer senses trouble of any sort, it's natural defenses will kick in and it will pay closer attention to what it's doing in terms of using the wind to spot the trouble.

Hope this makes sense!

RE: What's your take on scent checking?
 

mofireman...."I" think you hit the nail on the head!!

If that deer is relaxed.....I think he'll make that downwind walk. When I shot my deer, last Saturday, I can assure you that NO ONE had hunted within 100 yds of that spot.........in years. They felt totally at ease (as evidenced by 30 of them approaching me from the dead down wind side).

Although the only deer that left the set in a hurry was the one I arrowed........the last 6-7 went around where I was.....tails in the air. What's the chances the last 6-7 deer coming into the set were the bachelors????? Ever seen a flock of turkeys enter a field??? Now...I'm happy with my deer.....but I'd like to have seen those other six or seven a bit closer. Whats the cahnces of that happening, now??????????????

Jeff

RE: What's your take on scent checking?
 

I'd also still like to know what good scent checking does while you're already in your stand. If it doesn't suit your stand location.....are ya gonna get down and move? Go home?

Isee this all the time on TV.....and I'm wondering what they're gonna do?????? It looks really important to check the wind......but I do that by watching the weather and by stepping outside. This is the first time I've ever said this......but I have always had a unique sense of direction. When I was playing college baseball......by the time I was a junior....I knew pretty well all of the schools we were going to play.......what town they were in......and the relationship of their ballfield to our campus (though MILESand MILES away). I could tell you before we got on the bus to go to an away game whether the wind was blowing in or out at the field when we'd get there. you might htink this is funny....but I was RARELY fooled. I use this same "knack" to decide where to hunt. I deal with computers, write contracts, deal with numbers and specialized equipment and dimensions on a daily basis in my job duties......but I can't seem to get the knack for inserting the information into my GPS that would aid me in hunting. I'm glad it comes naturally.(EDIT....sense of direction comes naturally.....NOT the hunting knack.....)....lol.

Jeff