Video: 3 Steps to successfully playing the wind for mature whitetails

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Maverick1
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Video: 3 Steps to successfully playing the wind for mature whitetails

Unread postby Maverick1 » Wed Dec 02, 2020 4:25 pm

Hey, everybody. I found a video on YouTube about playing the wind from Don Higgins and thought I would post it here as it does a pretty good job of explaining how to play the wind, specifically the "off-wind" that has been mentioned on this forum and in Dan’s videos quite often. Posting here as it provides a different perspective on how wind direction could influence your stand selection.

Also, in watching the video, are there any terms that Don uses that sound familiar?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJvLSNxWKTU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJvLSNxWKTU


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Re: Video: 3 Steps to successfully playing the wind for mature whitetails

Unread postby minnesotahunter » Thu Dec 03, 2020 6:53 am

Great video
"If you consider an unsuccessful hunt to be a waste of time, then the true meaning of the chase eludes you all together"
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Re: Video: 3 Steps to successfully playing the wind for mature whitetails

Unread postby <DK> » Thu Dec 03, 2020 11:05 am

That guy is great! I just found him online last week.
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Dewey
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Re: Video: 3 Steps to successfully playing the wind for mature whitetails

Unread postby Dewey » Thu Dec 03, 2020 12:03 pm

Been watching a lot of his stuff lately. I really appreciate his way of explaining things. Can’t argue with his success. You don’t kill bucks like he has without having great knowledge of deer behavior.
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Rob loper
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Re: Video: 3 Steps to successfully playing the wind for mature whitetails

Unread postby Rob loper » Thu Dec 03, 2020 1:19 pm

Man what a great video. I shared this on my pages hope nobody minds
Itxx as exactly what ive been seeing and learning how these older bucks are using the wind to their advantage
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Re: Video: 3 Steps to successfully playing the wind for mature whitetails

Unread postby Edcyclopedia » Fri Dec 04, 2020 12:56 am

8-)
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Re: Video: 3 Steps to successfully playing the wind for mature whitetails

Unread postby Befo » Fri Dec 04, 2020 12:39 pm

I've heard Dan mention that how buck direction of travel in the evening isn't dependent on wind, but in the first example he gives, the buck chooses the downwind trail during evening movement. Is the answer more nuanced than just ignoring wind in the evening? Maybe that they won't change destination based on wind but will use downwind features to get there?
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Re: Video: 3 Steps to successfully playing the wind for mature whitetails

Unread postby venisonassassin » Sun Dec 06, 2020 1:58 am

Good stuff. Like the visuals.
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Re: Video: 3 Steps to successfully playing the wind for mature whitetails

Unread postby venisonassassin » Sun Dec 06, 2020 2:07 am

Befo wrote:I've heard Dan mention that how buck direction of travel in the evening isn't dependent on wind, but in the first example he gives, the buck chooses the downwind trail during evening movement. Is the answer more nuanced than just ignoring wind in the evening? Maybe that they won't change destination based on wind but will use downwind features to get there?


Tough question to answer but I personally do not ever ignore the wind.
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Re: Video: 3 Steps to successfully playing the wind for mature whitetails

Unread postby Wapiti » Mon Dec 07, 2020 8:28 am

Really enjoyed the video. I've listened to his podcast since it came out and there is a wealth of knowledge in it as well.
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Re: Video: 3 Steps to successfully playing the wind for mature whitetails

Unread postby Dewey » Mon Dec 07, 2020 8:47 am

Giving bucks the wind is the key like he said. Younger bucks especially during the rut get real reckless roaming around with wind to the back. Mature bucks are masters of the wind and are always cautiously using it to their advantage even during the heat of the rut. When I’m hunting a good bed and worried my wind will skirt dangerously close yet still just off is when I normally see good bucks. When they think they have the advantage is when they are most vulnerable and will move early. Hunts where the wind is strongly in my favor and not the bucks usually don’t produce real well.
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Re: Video: 3 Steps to successfully playing the wind for mature whitetails

Unread postby BigBrutus11 » Mon Dec 07, 2020 5:25 pm

My biggest buck was shot in 2006 and I had Don Higgin's to thank for it. The previous year I read an article of his in Deer And Deer Hunting about hunting a "just off wind". I believe he was the first guy to ever explain it in a written article. At least that I knew of.


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