Wind direction after leaving bedding

[JonNc]

I know this has been covered some on here, but was curious of others experiences with this. When a mature buck leaves his bed, do you normally see they typically prefer wind in their face? I know it depends on a lot of variables such as food, pressure, etc.

I’ve heard a couple times on podcasts recently that they prefer that. I’ve also heard it doesn’t matter. Just curious what most of you have experienced. Thanks.

[Tennhunter3]

I think they go in the direction of food, water or does mostly.
That being said most of the bucks I've seen and shot have been walking cross wind.

I don't hunt upwind and rarely hunt downwind so I mostly set for cross wind travel due to thermal rise at setup time. They probably walk these directions alot also just setup is harder and it's easier to get busted.

[backstraps]

I haven’t witnessed many mature bucks leaving their beds. However, I have been within a 100-125yds from where I suspected they were bedded.

I really have not seen ANY preference to the wind. I think when he gets up, he is headed exactly to where he wants. Food, water, etc

I hunt mostly hill country... by the time they usually get up, the thermals are falling. I have noticed for whatever reason, they more than likely head down the hills. This seems to be more common than not for me. Regardless if the food and water is either up or down hill

[may21581]

I dont think you will find a positive answer to this. Matter of fact I'll just come out and say you wont. There are too many variables and things that will determine what makes an animal comftorable enough to move or show up at a food source or to leave his bed on a certain trail.
It's just not wind that determines this. Their nose keeps them alive but they also rely on their vision, hearing, and watching animal behavior around them.
Think of it like driving in a car and you come to a bad intersection and the weather is bad. Will you just rely on your vision for safety? Or will you turn the radio off and listen, you will use all resources available to you for safety avoiding that blind spot. If you didnt then it wouldnt turn out well in some cases.
In their case they will use their senses to the best of their ability to avoid that blind spot as well. Wind, vision, sound, ect all come in. You can learn their tendencies through observation and history with them. Hope this made sense.

[may21581]

I haven’t witnessed many mature bucks leaving their beds. However, I have been within a 100-125yds from where I suspected they were bedded.

I really have not seen ANY preference to the wind. I think when he gets up, he is headed exactly to where he wants. Food, water, etc

I hunt mostly hill country... by the time they usually get up, the thermals are falling. I have noticed for whatever reason, they more than likely head down the hills. This seems to be more common than not for me. Regardless if the food and water is either up or down hill

I have witnessed the same. Personally I believe it's because when they bed in the hill country the way they do they can clearly see the valley below and next hill to where they are heading. They drop down usually grabbing a drink then let their nose take advantage of the thermals for extra security. It's pretty amazing when we stop and think about it. I personally believe vision is just as important as scent for them in the hills.

[PK_]

Yes and no.

I used to think more no, but the more I key in on older bucks, very mature bucks on pressured properties seem to bed and travel in spots (whether by choice or by default) where the wind naturally swirls and/or the thermals are realllllly working for them.

No I don’t think they pay attention to the ‘wind direction’ by putting their nose into the wind to decide which direction they travel out of a bed, but they absolutely know the spots, features and conditions that tip the hand in their favor and they key in on them. Sightings, encounters and sign generally shows it...

[rhagenw]

No I don’t think they pay attention to the ‘wind direction’ by putting their nose into the wind to decide which direction they travel out of a bed, but they absolutely know the spots, features and conditions that tip the hand in their favor and they key in on them. Sightings, encounters and sign generally shows it...

Those spots where the thermals dump and with funky winds are the most consistent spots I find general deer sign. In my part of the country that is regardless of habit type could be rolling timber, ag, crp and river bottoms.

[JonNc]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I have a spot that I believe a really good buck is bedding and on any north wind the wind is blowing right into suspected bedding. That’s what prompted the question. I need him to exit north for me to have a chance due to private land south.

I had this buck on camera 6 times in December every time at night (didn’t find spot to put cam up until then) but close to daylight a couple times. He always came from the same area. I found a spot close to where I think he’s at, so I’ve closed the distance. This was after rut so I’m hoping this is his core area. I’m hoping to have an encounter with him in October before he starts wandering all over.