The Sense of Smell

We seldom see the deer which approach us from the downwind side because they smell us and change their travel plan.

You may have deer spot you, act curious, and
appear unable to identify you. You may see their ears seem to "tune in" to a sound,
still unsure of danger. But if they move around downwind,
as soon as they smell you, they take off like their tail is on fire.

They trust their sense of smell.

Their clothes are sometimes carried in special containers until they are ready to hunt. They don't want the clothes contaminated with unnatural, or human odors. They may even use things to mask their breath odor. Some would not feel comfortable hunting if any of this was compromised.

One of the questions we ask at "score-your-hunting" is:

Do you use the wind?

Scent-free clothing, rubber boots, cover scents,... can help, but an experienced hunter always wants the wind in his favor.

The best deer hunting tips often involve the deer's sense of smell. Knowing that deer depend largely on their sense of smell is important in planning your hunting strategy.

Hunting from a blind or stand you should consider the wind before entering the area. Think ahead about where your scent will be left, or where it may blow. Approach your blind or stand without compromising any know deer trails or corridors.

When the wind is from the wrong direction it can blow your scent into the area where you expect deer to approach from. You have little chance of seeing any mature deer, and you may spoil that location for a long time to come.

It is better to hunt where the wind is in your favor; even when you have less confidence in the second location.

With no wind your scent may be fairly strong all around you. For the rifle hunter this may not be a problem, but a bow-hunter needs a close shot.

Many hunters prefer to have some wind. Hunting into the wind, especially when still hunting or stalking; wind can help to mask noise, and even the a hunter's movement, a little.

It makes sense that when leaves, limbs, and such are moving, it will be slightly harder for deer to notice a hunter's movement. The deer may be even more alert than usual however.

Even with a deer's keen sense of smell a strong wind will disperse your scent and make it harder for deer to smell you. An exceptionally strong wind may cause the deer to change their habits. They may become "spooky", and afraid to move much. They may bed down, or not follow their normal pattern.

If you can guess what deer may do,
you can develop a better hunting plan.

Check the weather predictions the night before your hunt. You can plan where and how you will hunt, better, if you know what the wind direction and speed are predicted to be.

Sometimes a weather-front is predicted and the wind direction is expected to change during the day. You should plan to change ahead of it. You must constantly monitor and adapt to unpredicted changes also.

Learning to use the wind is one of the most basic and important of all deer hunting skills.

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