What to Know About Wind and Thermals when Hunting Deer | Jared Mills

Published on November 6, 2024
Duration: 10:50

This video provides expert insights into understanding and utilizing wind and thermal currents for whitetail deer hunting. Jared Mills, an experienced hunter, details how wind speed and direction, along with thermal updrafts and downdrafts, significantly impact deer behavior and scent dispersal. He emphasizes the importance of considering these factors, especially in varied terrain, to gain a tactical advantage when hunting mature bucks.

Quick Summary

For whitetail deer hunting, wind speeds between 10-20 mph are ideal, with 10-15 mph being a sweet spot for consistent direction and comfortable deer movement. Thermal currents play a crucial role, falling downhill in the afternoon and rising uphill in the morning, especially when wind speeds are below 7-8 mph, dictating scent dispersal.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Introduction: Morning Hunt & Afternoon Plans
  2. 00:05Focus on Wind and Thermals
  3. 00:10Hunting Location: Southeast Minnesota Bluff Country
  4. 00:18Impact of Topography on Wind
  5. 00:31Evolution of Hunting Strategy: Wind Direction
  6. 00:56Early Hunting: Ignoring Thermals
  7. 01:13Thermals Become Crucial
  8. 01:30Wind Speed and Consistency
  9. 01:42Ideal Wind Speed: 10-20 mph
  10. 02:14Sweet Spot: 10-15 mph Wind
  11. 02:20Deer Movement and Wind Speed
  12. 02:28High Winds (20-25+ mph) and Deer Behavior
  13. 02:53Low Wind Speeds (Under 5 mph) and Deer Behavior
  14. 03:13Preferred Wind Conditions for Deer Movement
  15. 03:21Inconsistencies in Low Wind Speeds
  16. 03:31Thermals Come into Play
  17. 03:39Understanding Thermals: Afternoon vs. Morning
  18. 03:41Thermals Fall in the Afternoon
  19. 03:48Thermals Rise in the Morning
  20. 04:00Threshold: 7-8 mph for Thermal Dominance
  21. 04:12Evening Thermal Example: Buck Kill
  22. 05:45Evening Thermal Example: Waterway
  23. 06:35Targeting Mature Bucks with Wind
  24. 07:16Morning Thermals: Rising Air
  25. 07:26Calm Mornings and Rising Thermals
  26. 07:57Using Thermals for Calling Opportunities
  27. 08:21Thermals as a Hunting Strategy
  28. 08:39Location and Topography's Role
  29. 08:56Wind Swirling Over Bluffs
  30. 09:13Wind Eddies Explained
  31. 09:56Hunting in a Bowl: Inconsistent Wind
  32. 10:15Playing Rising Thermals in a Bowl
  33. 10:22Least Favorite Wind: East, 5-8 mph
  34. 10:42Conclusion and Good Luck

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal wind speed for whitetail deer hunting?

The ideal wind speed for whitetail deer hunting is generally between 10 to 20 miles per hour. A sweet spot of 10 to 15 mph is preferred as it offers consistent wind direction and is comfortable for deer movement, leading to more visible activity.

How do thermal currents affect deer scent during hunting?

Thermal currents significantly affect deer scent. In the afternoon, as air cools, thermals fall downhill, carrying scent with them. In the morning, as the ground warms, thermals rise uphill, carrying scent upwards. Understanding this is key to positioning yourself downwind of deer.

When do thermal currents override wind direction in hunting?

Thermal currents tend to override wind direction when wind speeds are low, specifically below approximately 7 to 8 miles per hour. Above this threshold, the prevailing wind direction usually dictates scent movement.

What are the effects of very low or very high wind speeds on deer movement?

Very low wind speeds (under 5 mph) can make deer paranoid due to amplified noises, leading to subdued movement. Conversely, very high winds (over 20-25 mph) also cause subdued movement as the noise of rustling leaves and trees makes it harder for deer to detect danger.

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