Wind direction

[Germander]

Hi all,

What is a good method for determining wind direction, to be used when tracking animals? Talc doesn't seem stealthy enough, wetting my lips is not sensitive enough when I do this. I pull out a hair as this works. But is there an easier method suitable for short-haired folks.

I apologise if I have missed a thread on this subject somewhere on the forum.

Thanks

Germander.

 

[Manacles]

I have always just stuck a finger in my mouth, held it up to the air above my head. You will detect a very slight drop in temperature on one side, that is the side where the wind is coming from. This works even in the gentlest of air movement, it does become a bit less effective if the ambient temperature is warmer.

 

[Pierr]

You can use the tie from a trash bag.
Sewing thread with a few down feathers at the end.
Wetting the cheek is more sensitive than finger but the above is more convenient and allows to test for air movement closer to the ground too.

 

[Large Sack]

I have always used ground litter (no not coke cans and fag packets). Dependent on the time of year and where you are, I use anything such as a crunched up leaf or bark, dry grass or moss. just pick it up making sure that what you choose is as dry and light and as bitty (rip up the moss) as possible and chuck it as high as you can in the air. Whichever way it moves is your wind direction. Usually if it is dry grass or crunched up dry leaf it will detect the smallest amounts of air movement. You are also using only natural elements. That said, if you are stalking quarry, you don't want to be jumping up in the air and waving your arms around when you launch your debris

Cheers

Sack

 

[Germander]

Thanks everyone.

I have been practising and in this dry weather, grabbing a handful of dust is working well (south-southwesterly all afternoon). I will play around with other objects and methods suggested.

Thanks again.

 

[zarkwon]

Small dropper bottle filled with talc.

 

[Shewie]

Nasal spray bottle with water in

 

[Samon]

The small down feather (fluffy pillow feather) on fine sewing thread is very reliable and yes talc is ok but I wonder if the animals can smell it?

 

[MartiniDave]

I find it's mostly blowing towards me!

OK, I'll get me coat!

 

[Large Sack]

I find it's mostly blowing towards me!

OK, I'll get me coat!

LOL just like the 'magnetic' smoke that seems to always followme

Cheers
Sack

 

[Retired Member southey]

The small down feather (fluffy pillow feather) on fine sewing thread is very reliable and yes talc is ok but I wonder if the animals can smell it?

not if the winds in the right direction.

 

[3bears]

I have always just stuck a finger in my mouth, held it up to the air above my head. You will detect a very slight drop in temperature on one side, that is the side where the wind is coming from. This works even in the gentlest of air movement, it does become a bit less effective if the ambient temperature is warmer.

same for me here....

 

[Melonfish]

ground litter. grass, leaves etc. quick chuck in the air and you know which way the wind is blowing.

 

[lou1661]

I tend to use a small squeezy bottle filled with fine wood ash, it seems to work or perhaps a head mounted weather vane would look more astheticly pleasing?

 

[Retired Member southey]

I tend to use a small squeezy bottle filled with fine wood ash, it seems to work or perhaps a head mounted weather vane would look more astheticly pleasing?

 

[lou1661]

I was wondering where i left it!

 

[zarkwon]

I figure if the animals can smell the talc, they can smell you too and you have already c***ed up

 

[Germander]

Love the hat! LOL

Interesting point about the talc. I can smell talc but not myself or others who make the effort to go unnoticed, but no doubt we stink from an animal's point of view, whatever we do.

I won't be carrying talc though. I prefer to travel light and it makes me SNEEZE.

 

[MartiniDave]

Another point to consider is that many of the whitening washing powders have chemicals in them that make your clothing glow practically luminous to many animals and birds.

 

[Germander]

Thanks Dave. I didn't know that.