Wind/thermals...

[bald9eagle]

I know a little something about thermals and the ups and downs as the day progresses. Not really something a north Alabama whitetail hunter needs to really take into account. The question here is at what point during the day do you start to concern yourself with a change in thermals? Is it just one of those things that you need to keep in mind and check periodically?

My thinking here is being uphill from an elk late in the day. At what point do I need to leave the area and try again tomorrow? Should I try getting on the same level as the elk and come in across the hill? Do I try to call them uphill or do I try to drop below them and call them down?

[Indian Summer]

Should I try getting on the same level as the elk and come in across the hill?

Yes, that! Chances are that when you hit that level there will be game trails. It's much easier to call elk along those levels than to hope they come up or down to you. Likewise it's very effective to hunt along that route to them than to come from above or below.

When you're hunting steep stuff, or anywhere for that matter, it's not like you have to run up and down all day. Drop or climb to the level the elk are at and hunt that elevation all day. I guess part of the trick is that sometimes elk can bump up or down as they work their way around. But as you learn their hangouts you can climb and drop where you need to.

You are a planning machine.

[bald9eagle]

I'm obsessed...

[Swede]

When the sun goes down, the land starts to cool, and the diurnal winds (thermals) start to go downward. Of coarse the shift of direction is uneven, as the sun my not be in the bottom of a canyon or on an east facing slope while it is still shining on a west facing slope, and on the mountain sides or tops. Also some things heat and cool at different rates. Cool air descends until the sun rises, and the land starts to warm up. Again it is uneven for awhile.
During the early morning and evening I like to stay low on the slope. During the warm part of the day I prefer to stay higher up. There are things you can do to extend your hunt or to get closer without being busted. That is where you need to know what the thermals are doing just a few yard away in places like side draws or exposed hillsides. Generally, when the direction of the thermals is shifting it is better to back off until you can predict it better. Nothing is worse than working in on elk, only to have the wind hit you in the back and betray you.

[bald9eagle]

After doing some studying I bought 2- 8oz bottles of micro balloons and made my own wind check. I'm guessing you guys go through plenty when trying to come in for the final approach?

[Luckyman]

Pretty much what swede said and I've read that some serious hunters won't even hunt midday due to the unpredictability of thermals (must be ultra serious trophy hunters). Keep an eye on large areas above you going into shadow that can get a down-slope breeze going even before the whole mountainside goes catabatic. Thermals constantly mix and stir the air like a pot of boiling water when the sun is doing its magic. This is why the wind is always switchy on sunny "Light and Variable" days, meaning no predominant wind direction. If there is a predominant wind for the day the thermals will track with it. Watch them come by looking at the trees down below or dust devils or the birds circling in them. Ever wonder why most hunters like early morning, late afternoon, or no wind overcast days ; No wind (thermals) to mess with you! Predominant wind you can use, b/c it's steady and consistent and so will be the eddys and swirls from the wind shadows (think rocks or logs in a stream). Thermals just seem to screw you. Usually good sun on large areas below will trend to flow upslope, but mountainous terrain is notorious for inconsistent wind direction.

[cohunter]

I'll echo the part about variable terrain having variable thermals and wind directions. There's a small cool draw in our area that has a downhill breeze almost 24 hours a day! Another reasons to really get to know a hunting area. Things like that can't really be reliably predicted or inferred from looking at maps or sometimes even from just a couple of scouting days. Also, Listen to luckyman... I'm betting he knows a thing or two about thermals!!

[Heartwood]

Luckyman, very interesting hearing about thermals and air movement in mountianous terrain from your point of view! One thing that I have learned from Twinkieman is that the air can be moving down hill all day in the bottom of a draw directly over the water. I have used this to advantage when needing to manuver into position on elk.
Like most elk hunters, we live by what our wind checkers tell us and yes there are some wind conditions that just can't be overcome and one needs to back out to try again later. There are also times when you have an up canyon /up hill thermal that rises nearly streight up and game up slope can't detect you. We have noticed that a wind check powder with dye in it can be seen for longer and can help a hunter get a better fix on wind movement. Also ,remember that generally, ridges and cuts will divide air movement. On a sunny day, sudden cloud cover(read a single cloud) can send air movement down slope very quickly and a stalk can be blown up just as fast. I tend to prefer morning hunts most because the air is generally predictable and you don't get cut off by sunset. On North and West slopes, a hunter can go from sunrise until maybe 10 or 11 am with a nice down slope wind. Likewise, in the afternoon, slopes that receive shade will get that downward air first. Bottom line is keep track of where your scent is being carried and where elk are believed to be or known to be and do your best to keep the two separated.

[Mike_Parson]

i lost a great opportunity at a very nice 6 x 6 bull because of the thermals. i had been chasing his herd for a mile or so. just below them about 100 yards trying to sidehill in front of them and trying to get ahead to cut them off. I got to within 80 yards and had a very well covered path to get within 40 yards of them feeding traveling straight uphill from me. the wind was in my face the whole time and it looked like i was on the right path. all of a sudden the wind shifted 180 degrees and it took about 5 seconds for the cows to bark and tear off the mountain headed dead away from me taking the bull with them. had i been a little more ahead of them it might not have happened and i would have had a shot at a really nice NM bull.

Definitely a lesson learned.