Is a South Wind Good for Deer Hunting?
If you’re a deer hunter, you know that the wind direction can make or break your hunt. A south wind is often thought to be one of the best winds for deer hunting. Here’s why: Deer have a keen sense of smell and they use the wind to help them detect danger.
When the wind is blowing from the south, it helps to mask your scent from the deer. This gives you a better chance of getting close enough for a shot.
A south wind is often thought to be good for deer hunting because it can help keep the scent of hunters away from the deer. In addition, a south wind can also help push deer towards areas where they may be more likely to encounter hunters.

Credit: huntsouthwind.com
Which Wind Direction is the Best for Deer Hunting?
There are a few things to consider when trying to determine which wind direction is best for deer hunting. One is the time of day. Another is the type of terrain you’re hunting in.
And lastly, you must take into account the deer’s sense of smell.
When it comes to the time of day, morning and evening hunts are typically better than midday hunts. The reason for this is that deer are more likely to be up and moving around during these times, making them easier to spot and stalk.
However, if you’re hunting in an area with thick cover, then a midday hunt can be just as successful since deer will bed down in the shade to avoid the heat of the day.
As for terrain, open areas such as fields or meadows are best hunted with a crosswind so that your scent doesn’t travel directly towards the deer. If you’re hunting in heavier cover like woods or brush, then a quartering tailwind will help keep your scent from spooking the deer as they move through their environment.
Again, it’s important to remember that wind direction is just one factor to consider when planning your hunt – other factors such as weather, moon phase and barometric pressure can also affect deer behavior.
Will Deer Move With a South Wind?
In short, yes, deer will move with a south wind. But there are nuances to this answer that are worth exploring. Let’s start with the basics: Deer are constantly moving in search of food, water and shelter.
So, a change in wind direction can certainly impact their movement patterns. For example, a north wind often indicates an approaching cold front, which deer will typically avoid. On the other hand, a south wind often signifies stable weather conditions – something that deer prefer.
So, all things being equal (i.e. no other environmental factors at play), a south wind will likely cause deer to move more than a north wind.
But as we said before, there are always exceptions to the rule. If there is strong storm system moving in from the south (accompanied by heavy rain/snow and high winds), then even deer will hunker down and ride it out.
In other words, don’t blindly follow the “deer move with a south wind” rule – use your best judgement and always be aware of what’s happening around you when hunting!
How Do You Hunt Deer With a South Wind?
When deer hunting, you always want to be downwind of where the deer are likely to be. This allows your scent to travel away from the deer, instead of toward them. With a south wind, this means that you should position yourself to the north of where you think the deer will be.
You can do this by scouting out potential areas ahead of time and finding a good spot to set up camp. Then, when you’re ready to hunt, simply walk in a southerly direction until you’re downwind of your target area. The key is to be as stealthy as possible so as not to alert the deer to your presence.
Once you’re in position, look for signs of deer activity and wait for an opportunity to take a shot. Remember, patience is key when hunting with a south wind – it may take some time for the perfect opportunity to present itself. But if you stay calm and patient, eventually it will pay off with a successful hunt.
Does Wind Direction Change Deer Movement?
Wind direction does indeed impact deer movement. Studies have shown that deer are more likely to move into the wind, rather than away from it. This makes sense from a survival standpoint, as wind can help them pick up on predators or other threats that might be lurking nearby.
Additionally, the smell of humans is often carried by the wind, so moving into the wind can help deer avoid areas where humans are present.
Best Deer Hunting Wind To Hunt
How Much Wind is Too Much for Deer Hunting
When it comes to deer hunting, there is such a thing as too much wind. While a slight breeze can help to keep your scent from alerting your prey, strong winds can actually do the opposite. If the wind is strong enough, it can carry your scent for miles, making it nearly impossible for deer to avoid you.
In addition, high winds can make it difficult to hear deer approaching, giving them a major advantage.
So how much wind is too much? Generally speaking, anything over 15 mph is considered too windy for deer hunting.
At this point, your best bet is to find a sheltered spot and wait out the storm. Remember, patience is key when deer hunting – so don’t let a little bad weather ruin your chances of success!
Hunting Windy Days During the Rut
When it comes to hunting during the rut, windy days can be some of the most productive. That’s because the wind can help mask your scent, making it harder for deer to pick up on your presence. Additionally, deer tend to be more active on windy days as they move around trying to find mates.
So if you’re looking to score a big buck during the rut, don’t forget to consider hunting on a windy day!
Deer Hunting 20 Mph Winds
Deer hunting in high winds can be extremely difficult. The deer will often bed down and become very inactive in these conditions, making them hard to spot. Even if you do see a deer, the wind will make it very difficult to get a clean shot.
If you must hunt in high winds, be patient and stay on the lookout for any movement. You may have to wait for the perfect opportunity, but it will be worth it when you finally take that trophy buck home.
Deer Hunting Calm Wind
Deer hunting is a popular pastime for many Americans. In order to be successful, hunters must take into account the direction of the wind. A deer’s sense of smell is very acute, and they can easily detect human scent.
Therefore, it is important to downwind of the deer in order to avoid being detected.
When choosing a hunting spot, look for areas where the wind will be in your favor. Avoid places where the wind is blowing directly towards the deer.
If possible, set up your stand or blind in an area where you will have a crosswind or quartering wind. This will help to ensure that your scent is not carried directly to the deer.
Hunting in calm winds is often best.
However, this can sometimes be difficult to accomplish depending on the time of year and location. If there is a light breeze blowing, it will help to keep your scent dispersed and make it more difficult for the deer to detect you. Pay attention to local weather conditions and try to hunt when the winds are forecasted to be calmest.
Conclusion
If you’re a deer hunter, you know that the direction of the wind can make or break your hunt. A south wind is often thought to be the best for deer hunting, but why? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why a south wind is ideal for deer hunting.
First, a south wind blows from an area of high pressure into an area of low pressure. This creates a “wind gradient” which causes deer to move away from the high-pressure area and into the low-pressure area – which just happens to be where you’re waiting in ambush.
Second, a south wind will often bring with it warmer temperatures.
Deer are more active when it’s warm out, so this can increase your chances of seeing them while you’re hunting.
Third, a south wind typically means that there’s no rain in the forecast. Wet conditions make deer more likely to bed down and stay put, making them harder to find and hunt successfully.
So if you’re planning a hunt in the near future, keep an eye on the forecast and try to choose a day when there’s a good chance of a south wind blowing!