How do you check thermals?

[iccyman001]

I know we have talked about this before, but I think it\'s good to bring up before the season.
How do you check thermal direction?


I know I learned from someone, that they tie a piece of thread or dental floss to their bow and have that as an indicator.
That is what I do now and it works great.



What does everyone else do?

 

[mtnmutt]

Last year, someone on here mentioned the 100% cotton white cotton thread attached to their bow. I switched to that method. I attach the thread to 2 places on my bow.

The 100% cotton thread works great. I use it at the outdoor range to get used to looking at it. I take extra thread to elk camp since I have torn it off by accident.

Sometimes while not holding my bow, I use smoke in the bottle.

 

[JohnFitzgerald]

Smoke in a bottle.

 

[cnelk]

Lou Jaquomo has mentioned that he uses smoke bombs for scouting,,,
Watch the smoke drift up or down for quite ways.
I havent done it, but it sure sounds like something to try!

 

[Swede]

I use corn starch and a squeeze bottle.

 

[F M]

I use corn starch and a squeeze bottle.

Same here.

 

[Zpd307]

x3 on the white powder in a squeeze bottle

 

[elkmtngear]

puffer x4

 

[iccyman001]

How often are you guys checking thermals?

 

[elkmtngear]

How often are you guys checking thermals?

When I\'m moving...a lot!

Especially if I\'m moving in on elk!

After a while if the wind direction is remaining constant, I might rely on feeling it on my face.

If it hits me in the back of the neck, I know it\'s time to stop and re-think my approach, or just lay low. That\'s the worst feeling when the wind swirls and hits you from behind...I\'ve waved goodbye to too many bulls over the years in that scenario

 

[F M]

I\'m checking all the time. I go through so much that I carry a spare bottle with me.

 

[VTHOKEE]

when I would hunt whitetail back home in the mountains of Va I would check all the time. In Illinois I think I went through a bottle in less than a week constantly checking them.

 

[Zpd307]

How often are you guys checking thermals?

When I\'m moving...a lot!

Especially if I\'m moving in on elk!

After a while if the wind direction is remaining constant, I might rely on feeling it on my face.

If it hits me in the back of the neck, I know it\'s time to stop and re-think my approach, or just lay low. That\'s the worst feeling when the wind swirls and hits you from behind...I\'ve waved goodbye to too many bulls over the years in that scenario

yep! had a few of those encounters last year.... frustrating after a long stalk to have that sudden wind on your neck...

 

[Zpd307]

I\'m checking all the time. I go through so much that I carry a spare bottle with me.

I thought that I checked a lot, and my bottle has lasted 3 years and I am over half full.

 

[bowhunter]

I have gone through a bottle in 3 days. I just refill back at camp with corn starch.

 

[Scot320]

Squeeze bottle.

 

[Lark Bunting]

Corn starch in a squeeze bottle.

 

[Jaquomo]

Squeeze bottle with powder and milkweed seeds to track the movement past a few feet

 

[Olympushunt]

Rip a toot method is my favorite. If your buddy behind you starts gagging then the wind is in your face and you are golden. :dance2:

 

[elky McElkerson]

i usually use the running away from me animal method..

a couse deer works the thermals better than anything i\'ve ever seen. after awhile you just know..thermals if anything..at least they are kinda predictable day after day.

wind..now that is a crap-shoot.