Still wind and thermal tunnel

[Jeff G]

Heres the scenario: When hunting with a 1-2mph wind or still conditions, do you still take into account where the thermal tunnel would be located, or are all ridges in hill country possible cruising spots for bucks?

[BigHunt]

Yes...I cant think of a time when thermals arnt a factor...just because the wind is barly blowing or we cant feel it...air is allways moving..rain snow or shine thermals are allways there but it might differ from the terrain were that thermal tunnel will accure or also wind velocity. ..I see alot on calm days the thermal wind is stronger then the pervaling wind and over rides it and the tunnle is higher up then days when the pervaling wind is stronger...

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[BigHunt]

Another interesting note...on ridges sides were there more extreme and are steep the thermal winds rush up the steep ridge faster and stronger then they would if its like a slow drop off....I see the tunnle higher up on steeper ridges

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[Jeff G]

thanks Big hunt. Great tip!

[dan]

Big hunt is right on... Low winds can raise the elevation of the wind tunnel.

[BassBoysLLP]

In addition to what has already been mentioned, I often see them cruising high on the "cold" side of the ridge on calm mornings. One side of the ridge always warms faster than the other in the morning...east runs warmer than west....south runs warmer than north. This often creates a condition of a rising thermal on "warm" side followed by the falling/less rising thermal on the "cold" side. Convection currents on the cold side always create a small thermal tunnel that can dictate travel.

[Dewey]

What about fairly calm winds, snow cover and a cloudy day? Are the thermals still active or do you need sun to get them going on days like this?

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[BassBoysLLP]

Still active. Heat is still being tranferred to the earth's surface, just at a different rate. The thermals take longer to develop and are generally weaker on snowy or cloudy days. Moisture in general has a huge impact on thermal activity due to the high specific heat of water. A wet forest floor takes longer to heat and cool than a dry one and this impacts rising and falling thermals.

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[BigHunt]

What about fairly calm winds, snow cover and a cloudy day? Are the thermals still active or do you need sun to get them going on days like this?

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Theres all ways thermals...rain snow shine calm wind no wind heavy wind

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[BigHunt]

Still active. Heat is still being tranferred to the earth's surface, just at a different rate. The thermals take longer to develop and are generally weaker on snowy or cloudy days. Moisture in general has a huge impact on thermal activity due to the high specific heat of water. A wet forest floor takes longer to heat and cool than a dry one and this impacts rising and falling thermals.

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Depends on the terrain. ..the day I killed my buck it was lightly drizzling perty gusty and cloudy...the thermal tunnle was right at the top of the ridge....a very steep ridge

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[BassBoysLLP]

Still active. Heat is still being tranferred to the earth's surface, just at a different rate. The thermals take longer to develop and are generally weaker on snowy or cloudy days. Moisture in general has a huge impact on thermal activity due to the high specific heat of water. A wet forest floor takes longer to heat and cool than a dry one and this impacts rising and falling thermals.

[ Post made via Android ]

Depends on the terrain. ..the day I killed my buck it was lightly drizzling perty gusty and cloudy...the thermal tunnle was right at the top of the ridge....a very steep ridge

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Agreed. Terrain is #1. The steeper the stronger.

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[dan]

In addition to what has already been mentioned, I often see them cruising high on the "cold" side of the ridge on calm mornings. One side of the ridge always warms faster than the other in the morning...east runs warmer than west....south runs warmer than north. This often creates a condition of a rising thermal on "warm" side followed by the falling/less rising thermal on the "cold" side. Convection currents on the cold side always create a small thermal tunnel that can dictate travel.

Awesome info... Never really thought about that, but it makes perfect sense!

[BigHunt]

In addition to what has already been mentioned, I often see them cruising high on the "cold" side of the ridge on calm mornings. One side of the ridge always warms faster than the other in the morning...east runs warmer than west....south runs warmer than north. This often creates a condition of a rising thermal on "warm" side followed by the falling/less rising thermal on the "cold" side. Convection currents on the cold side always create a small thermal tunnel that can dictate travel.

Awesome info... Never really thought about that, but it makes perfect sense!

X2

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