GeoffM24

I'm trying to get a better idea of how important wind is. I found an incredible spot where everything is right, except the wind. Usually it blows out of the north or north west which is up wind from where the deer are.

Should I relocate because it is a lost cause fighting the wind?

Budbowhunter

I would if I were you. I've gotten busted too amny times this season being upwind of the deer. Even crosswind. If you found a spot that only offers a good shot with a south wind, then don't hunt it until the wind is right. Find another spot to hunt a north wind and another to hunt a west wind and so forth. That's my advice anyway. Keep us posted as to what happens. Good Luck.

KEEP IT LEGAL. KEEP IT SAFE. OR WE MAY NOT GET TO KEEP IT AT ALL.

BobCo19-65

I agree, fighting the wind is a tough one when deer hunting. I had a great spot this year, but anytime deer came in from my right I got busted about 30 yards off. And that was through some real thick stuff, no way they saw me. But when they came from my left or in front, they never knew I was there.

Also, to be noted that in that particular spot, it didn't matter which direction the wind blew that day. Because is of the air flow from that stand, the wind always came from the same spot no matter what. Don't ask me explain it. I bet someone here could though. And yes, I was hunting in hill country in a valley.

JRW

The wind can be critical to your sucess. A deer's sense of smell is one of its best defenses.

That not withstanding, my favorite spot to hunt in WI is a place where the deer, literally, can come from any direction at any time. Heck, I've had deer come in from different directions at the same time. There really is no best of worst wind for that stand.

Two years ago I shot a mature doe at 16 yards broadside, that came in from downwind. I don't wear any scent supressing clothing, and actually had a cigarette lit at the time. Goffiest thing I ever saw.

JRW

slicendice

I've killed 3 with the bow this year. All three came from down wind.
I do use cover scents, and I don't put on my hunting clothes until I get to the spot I'm hunting, but I don't pay alot of attention to wind direction. Like I said, all 3 bow kills this year, the deer came in from down wind. The first one was arrowed at 3 yards, the next at 15 and the last on at 5 yards. I used a cover scent called "Natures Own". It seems to be really effective.

Tom Mac

I also killed a 7 point buck 10 yards down wind of me Nov 1st. that came in only after he picked up the scent wick I had out since he was chasing a doe in the area upwind of me all morning. Once the doe passed down wind of me he did as well and picked up the scent and came right in. I use a scent lok suit and keep all my gear in airtight bags with HS earth scent wafers and only put the suit on when going into my hunting area and remove and store it when coming out of the area. I also use HS scent free soap and have never been winded. I know the scent lok suit is not the end all but it certainly helps me kill more deer.

Stealth_Force

I started useing a scent loc suit this year, and seems that EVERY deer I have seen this year came from the wrong way! They were all downwind of me...some came and rubbed agains't my tree. Since I have used the scent loc, I haven't been blown once.

JUSTINL

Thanks to many here on the board, I've become a nut in regards to scent control.

That being said, my first deer/buck ever was a big bodied basket 7 taken from up wind while on the ground stalking. I can't explain why I wasn't busted, but there were a total of 3 deer traveling with him.

This past weekend, I had 7 does & a spud cross my scent trail. Not one seemed to smell me, but one saw me. She did not know what I was, but she didn't like me in the tree. She stood downwind of me about 30 yards & just stomped her front hoof a few times before moving off.

Who knows...


&quot;It's not the kill, it's the adventure and challenge! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>&quot;

OnlyBow

I have one success story. The success wasn't for me though...it was for the gigantice doe that winded me at 50 yds the other day. She'll see tomorrow.

wimp

I have very little faith in playing the wind. most of my spots deer show up from any direction regardless of wind direction. just try and be as scent free as possible. I don't have the luxury of 35 spots to cover every possible wind situation.