Hunting the Wind

-By Rich Miller

Hunt or don’t hunt? Since deer season opened a couple weeks ago, the wind has been really inconsistent every day that I have had a chance to hunt. Seems like every magazine article I read or television show I see is talking about which stand to hunt based on wind direction. Some say only hunt a certain stand during a certain wind, or don’t go into an area if the wind is wrong. I think there can be a lot of truth to this, but what about the hunter who doesn’t have the option of waiting on a certain wind? Some of us have to hunt when we have the opportunity whether bad wind direction, rain or uncomfortable temperatures.

When these conditions occur there are a few things I do that seem to be a little more successful no matter what the conditions. I am really obsessed when it comes to controlling my scent. I start before I ever leave the house with the clothes I plan on hunting in. I wash them and store them separately from any of my other clothes. I prefer to wash my hunting clothes with Code Blue’s laundry detergent with fresh earth scent. I don’t think it is any better than the unscented version, but it is the one I have always used and I have a lot of confidence in it. I store my hunting clothes in a really large Tupperware-type container with a sealable lid.

I also use like to use scent eliminator sprays. Whether I’m checking my cameras, filling a feeder or hunting, I always spray down before entering my hunting area. Field wipes have been a great asset for these hot September afternoons also. No matter how hard I try to take my time getting into the stand, I cannot help but work up a sweat. I use these wipes to wipe off my face head and neck. In addition to getting rid of the perspiration, it also feels really nice and helps cool me off.

I am not saying that I don’t pay any attention to the wind and if you take these precautions you will never get winded by a deer again. If the wind isn’t right for the stand, you want to hunt try to find a stand site that is a little more favorable for that wind direction. When you have the opportunity to get in the wood go for it, whether the wind is in your favor or not you have a better chance of being successful in the woods than you do sitting at home on the couch.

Comments

[Johnny O]

I learned a great trick from an old timer about 15 years ago. I take all my gear and vacuum seal it in with a pine branch. I hunt mostly pine/hardwooods and this covers smells amazingly so.

I get one of those crazy space saver bags on infomercial and then jam it in suck out the air and it is awesome