It was a LONG time ago when I first read Roger Rothaar’s article titled “the nose knows” and it left a lasting impression on me. It started a love/hate relationship I’ve had ever since with the wind and its effects on critters I like to hunt. Once in a while I get it right but most times that nose wins and that’s OK too.
On another thread here recently I was impressed with the number of guys that responded how we all live and breath bows and whitetails 365 days a year. A couple of days ago I was out for an exercise hike and got another lesson on how that nose works.
I was hiking due North up a road, a tree line ran west/east off to my left. A big crp field butted up to the woods line. As I walked along I spotted a pretty nice buck for around here, seem to be somewhat mature, brow tines and G2’s were visible so of course I stood to watch. The crp grass was tall and hid me from view. According to google earth the buck was at least 300 yards away. The neat thing was the wind was out of the South east at 5-10mph and you could see that tall crp grass just lazy like, leaning over in the deer’s direction. I was far enough south that my scent stream wasn't with him yet. So I thought it would be neat to ease up 50 yards and get up wind of him and see how long it would take for him to smell me. Got up there and started counting and got to maybe 5 when I saw that nose go straight up!!! He never looked my way, took three steps and was in the woods! What was really neat was a smaller buck stood up that was bedded down, he was younger and was looking for me. As I looked around I noticed a set of ears perked up about half way between us bedded in the crp, a doe. Further to the south a big doe was standing there looking right at me. She had probably been standing there and got a nose full the 1st time I stopped when I originally saw the buck. I’m sure she got my wind and stood up to see and I hadn’t noticed her while I zoomed in on the buck! She was high enough on a little rise that she could see me and had me nailed when I walked forward those 50 yards! She ended up taking the whole bunch into the woods tail a waggin. I loved it.......schooled again.
Interesting point is how careful I try to be to enter an area to avoid my scent going to the deer I’m hunting but this is an example of how many deer we can educate that we never see or know about. I wish there nose wasn’t that good but here is a good example of how effective that dang thing is and like Roger said in that article, our noses are so bad we simply cant appreciate what they have. Times like this I find it amazing we ever kill any of them!
Its only a couple months till season comes in but it’s a long, hot couple months and its nice to get out when mother nature gives you a glimpse into the whitetail world that we all love and cherish.
Topic: The nose knows.... (Read 398 times)
