Tools for finding wind direction?

[Leigh Robinson]

Hi
I am looking for something that can tell me wind direction when I am out tracking. I the woods I find it difficult to tell the direction as if it's not very windy the trees slow the wind. It's still blowing through the woods but too subtle for me to tell.

So I am asking please if anyone knows of goods products that can detect slight wind direction.

 

[lou1661]

Hi,
Try a small nalgene bottle with the easy pour cap. Fill the bottle with fine wood ash, squeeze the bottle, a puff of ash comes out and drifts off to give you an indication of wind direction, i am sure that there are other and probably cheaper alternitives for the bottle but you get the idea

Louis

 

[Joonsy]

Hi
I am looking for something that can tell me wind direction when I am out tracking. I the woods I find it difficult to tell the direction as if it's not very windy the trees slow the wind. It's still blowing through the woods but too subtle for me to tell.

So I am asking please if anyone knows of goods products that can detect slight wind direction.

Would a lighter work, the flame may flicker in the wind showing direction, in a ray mears programme he used something like a squirty bottle that squirted water vapour into the air and watched which way the wind took it. EDIT, may have been ash as lou1661 said.

 

[SimonM]

Hi,
Try a small nalgene bottle with the easy pour cap. Fill the bottle with fine wood ash, squeeze the bottle, a puff of ash comes out and drifts off to give you an indication of wind direction, i am sure that there are other and probably cheaper alternitives for the bottle but you get the idea

Louis

Works for me...

 

[Daegurth]

a short length of white cotton thread? lighter and less bulky than a bottle...

 

[Tracer1969]

I've learned it like this:

Put your finger in your mouth, make it wet, stick it in the air and the side the wind blows will feel cold. But iff you pic up a leave and throw it in the air, ..;should work also.

 

[durulz]

I've learned it like this:

Put your finger in your mouth, make it wet, stick it in the air and the side the wind blows will feel cold. But iff you pic up a leave and throw it in the air, ..;should work also.

Exactly what I was going to say!
The advantage is that it takes up no room or extra weight and can be used for multiple purposes. Such as cutting with a knife...

 

[sapper1]

A handful of grass thrown in the air.Don't grt to technical it will only let you down.
You could look at a spot and work out where your basha will be and where your fire will be,the wind will be in a direct line from fire to basha thus ensuring you basha fills with smoke.It's one of sod's laws,never fails.

 

[FGYT]

A handful of grass thrown in the air.Don't grt to technical it will only let you down.
You could look at a spot and work out where your basha will be and where your fire will be,the wind will be in a direct line from fire to basha thus ensuring you basha fills with smoke.It's one of sod's laws,never fails.

unless its Midge season then you cant get the smoke near the dam thing

 

[Barney]

A pinch of a few grass tips will indicate all but the very stillest of air currents, sometimes though you will have to throw it quite high for it to work.

 

[ex Member swampy99]

A handful of grass thrown in the air.Don't grt to technical it will only let you down.
You could look at a spot and work out where your basha will be and where your fire will be,the wind will be in a direct line from fire to basha thus ensuring you basha fills with smoke.It's one of sod's laws,never fails.

Same thing works with a friend who is standing near you and farts. The wind will ALLWAYS blow the smell towards you. So advice is to bring a friend that has had sprouts for breakfast, dinner and tea.

 

[Goatboy]

Just wet your lips, you'll feel a slight cooling on them as you face the wind.

GB

 

[lou1661]

you could try one of these too
Linky


Louis ;-)

 

[FGYT]

Just wet your lips, you'll feel a slight cooling on them as you face the wind.

GB

tryed that still couldnt tell even after a whole crate of Bulmers ...... moist lips tho

ATB

Duncan

 

[Pict]

Talc in a squeeze bottle for very light breezes works well, a tuft of grass tossed in the air or a palm full of dry sand poured out. A light, hanging thread will give a good indication especially if you tie a piece of downy feather to the end.

Sometimes it helps to watch vegetation with binoculars or rifle scope when planning a stalk. The wind might be one way where you are but channeled by a terrain feature where you're going. Birds and animals in an open field will typically stand nose into the wind so it isn't "blowing up their skirt" so to speak. Mac

 

[tommy the cat]

Bubbles work in a small bottle
D