Hunt the wind or ignore the wind?

[Crazinamatese]

Jeez, looks like everday in my region will have a south wind for the next week. I only have a few areas that work well with a south wind. Its the rut. Many of my better rut areas are for northerly winds. What to do? Hunt the wind or ignore the wind? Considering its rut.

[Huntress13]

Can you access from other side or for a cross wind?

[Dewey]

Gotta find some good south wind spots even if it means going in blind. I actually look forward to south winds during the rut. My best bucks all came from that dreaded direction most hate to see in early November because it brings warm temps. I like to make sure every option is covered when winter/spring scouting so I never run out of spots to hunt in any wind or other weather condition.

[brancher147]

I setup to hunt the forecast strong west wind this morning. It turned out to be a strong south wind when I got there which is the only wind I don’t want for that spot. I was stubborn and setup anyway thinking it’s the rut you never know. My hunt didn’t last long-had a buck coming in perfect first 30 minutes as expected until he got my wind...then a doe started blowing and ran out. I make this mistake at least once every year and it has never worked out in my favor. I would look for spots for a south wind not try to hunt areas on the wrong wind

[PredatoronthePrairie]

I wouldn't forsake the wind.

At least try for a crosswind.

[Tufrthnails]

I wouldn't forsake the wind.

At least try for a crosswind.

Even a just off wind is better then a known bad wind for me. Don’t get me wrong I’ve gone way up to make a sit work if I had no other option and it wasn’t one of my premium spots.

[mheichelbech]

I have noticed this year more than in the past the winds where I hunt have switched a lot..180 degrees back and forth during sits. As for buck travel direction and even does this year, they are coming in from the opposite of the directions expected. So...sometimes I’ve gotten unexpectedly busted and others didn’t. It’s been a real crapshoot.

If I were in a specific buck I’d be dialed in with making sure he couldn’t scent me, if not, I’d do the best I could and hunt.

[Crazinamatese]

Thats what Im thinking. Just do the best I can with what I got because right bow my best rut spots are not being hunted because of the wind. I would hate to waste this week because of it. I think I can make it happen. Entry is my concern. But I have a plan. Im confident there are some good bucks that are gonna let their guard down. I’ve seen it happen and like someone mentioned, anything can happen.

[Boogieman1]

Never and I do mean never ignore the wind. Now there’s times you can roll the dice with an “iffy” and hope u can get a shot off b4 he gets a whiff. But blowing directly at deer u r hunting on purpose is a fools game.

[Crazinamatese]

Never and I do mean never ignore the wind. Now there’s times you can roll the dice with an “iffy” and hope u can get a shot off b4 he gets a whiff. But blowing directly at deer u r hunting on purpose is a fools game.

I know. I been burned many times. Its the rut, I have this week off. Im rolling the dice. How do you like me now?

[comeback_kid]

So what’s the plan for entry?

Thats what Im thinking. Just do the best I can with what I got because right bow my best rut spots are not being hunted because of the wind. I would hate to waste this week because of it. I think I can make it happen. Entry is my concern. But I have a plan. Im confident there are some good bucks that are gonna let their guard down. I’ve seen it happen and like someone mentioned, anything can happen.

[headgear]

I mean obviously hunt your sets differently and work those entrances but I don't think anyone can ignore the wind. Your best spots could still work but you have to hunt them a little different. If it isn't working then try some new stuff, all you can do. The only wind I don't have a lot of sets for is an East wind but those rarely happen, when they do I just try and figure out options and be as mobile as possible. Because of bad entrance options in some areas I have setup so I might have to shoot them when they hit my entrance trail, not a great option but it can be done.

[Coalcracker]

Hunt the few areas you have for a south wind. They may surprise you with a traveling wall hanger or a buck you don't know about.

IMO, its that option or playing your best stands based on thermals. This may mean only spending an hour or so of hunting your best spots but maybe the thermals can bail you out at certain times of the day.

I know they did for me a couple days ago. The wind was mainly NW and howling. I was on a leeward side hill and the way the wind wrapped around a saddle it was steady towards the east. However, as the air cooled I felt some swirling going on and I had a doe laying out in front at 50 yards and higher in elevation. I dropped some milkweed and found that despite my feeling the wind hit the back of my neck and blowing toward the bedded deer, it was dropping. The thermal was pushing my scent down the hill despite what I felt. The deer never smelled me or if she did never reacted. Twenty minutes before dark a couple bucks showed up and chased her around without ever getting my wind or appearing to and all of them came within 30 yards.

[The Silence]

Crazinamatese, I started carrying in a small stool with me along with wearing a ghillie top with me to the stand. That way I can recalibrate the hunt if the winds are blowing funky or there are other changes to the surroundings.
I'm also able to set up on the fly if I come across fresh sign or I see something that makes me change my present plan. It's like carrying in a stand and setting up on the fly except I really love hunting off the ground and keeping things
simple. I've also run into 2 shooter bucks as I slowly worked my way to a pre-hung stand I had intended to hunt from. I had the wind to my advantage and jump them both at 15 yards or less. I could have got a shot off at both of them,
since they both stopped and turned around at ~30 yards but I freaked out and got down on a knee. That won't happen again, Lord willing. I have a new tactic I've been practicing.

[HunterBob]

Never and I do mean never ignore the wind. Now there’s times you can roll the dice with an “iffy” and hope u can get a shot off b4 he gets a whiff. But blowing directly at deer u r hunting on purpose is a fools game.

I know. I been burned many times. Its the rut, I have this week off. Im rolling the dice. How do you like me now?

Take an extra climbing stick and get as high as you can. The wind in my area has been swirling like crazy. If I decided not to hunt because of this I would not have gone out at all during my week off last week. Good luck!