Home made wind indicator

[Zmonster]

I purchased a wind whisper wind indicator from 3R last year, and was surprised on how well it worked. It really allows you to see the effects of the thermals and gives you a chance to act on them. This year I decided to try making my own. Looks simple enough right? String, Feather, and two knots.

I used some Maribou feathers I purchased from my local fly shop, and un waxed dental floss. If I can figure out what kinda string the wind whisper brand uses, I'd be a little happier. But for the most part, Im very pleased. Plus I think the feather looks a bit better then the wind whisper.

All I did was tie a wrapping knot or what my Sapper instructor would call a Mongolian bugger knot on the feather and a bowline on the other end. Pulled the feather through the bowline around the string and wallah. Wind indicator. What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

[Mudd]

Cool!

I would suggest trying to separate the dental floss into smaller strands. Its tough stuff and I bet you would get easier wind interaction.

Thanks for sharing.

God bless,Mudd

[Ray Hammond]

a puffer bottle filled with corn starch never gets wet and stops working...and its cheap.

[Zmonster]

Ray,

Your right, but...
Its not the only thing I use. My inspiration comes from an article I read a while back in TBM called "They Called Him Old Windy". It was by Ron Rohrbaugh in the Dec/Jan 2007 issue. If you have it around, its worth the 10 minute read.

[VTer]

Looks good to me!

[Bill Carlsen]

I like to use dried out milk weed pods. Not only do they tell you wind direction they also give visual information on how the thermals are working.

[23feetupandhappy]

Originally posted by Bill Carlsen:
I like to use dried out milk weed pods. Not only do they tell you wind direction they also give visual information on how the thermals are working.

Yep I keep mine in a ziplock bag and use it offten......works great.

I also have the end of a turkey breast feather tied to the hood of my quiver by a piece of dental floss  

[metsastaja]

I have done the same with the Bow Hush lamb wool. works great and I do not have to worry where my puffer bottle is.

[mmisciag]

Nice, I was just using floss but addng the feather is great idea.

Martin

[buckster]

I use Corn starch in bottle & cattail guts.

[Friends call me Pac]

Looks pretty niffty but I prefer something a little more nostalgic from my younger years.  I use a bottle of soapy water and a bubble wand.  I sit in my stand and watch where the bubbles go with the currents.  Saying, "Ahh one and ah two..." in foriegn accent is optional but sure compliments the bubbles floating away on the wind.

[Bill Tell]

I just fart and see who smells it.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

I use goose down that I pluck from the goose when I clean it. I tie it on with black thread but I guess the unwaxed floss would be a little tuffer.

 Bill, I just about spit all over the screen I was laughing so hard. But you know it works everytime.  

[ArrowCrester]

They work Great!!!

[OB]

My lighter has never let me down...  Can be used for survival purposes as well as wind direction

[Jim Picarelli]

I use a maribou feather tied on the string with dental floss

[non-typical]

A word on the milk weed pods...when you gather them before they open...don't just toss them under the truck seat and forget about them and then they open up..and you open up the windows going down the road....you get a cab full of fuzzy wonders :-)

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

i use just the unwaxed dental floss no feather, after a few practice shots the floss separates in two strands and floats in the slightest air movement. If you practice a lot during the season you may need to replace it several times over the course of the season

[Ray Hammond]

I guess in the South its a little different than where you guys are- anything thats attached to my bow that has to "blow" in the wind will usually end up wet from dew on grass weeds or other stuff it encounters.

Things I would keep in plastic bags means I have to make a series of motions to open, withdraw, and then spread the items you're talking about like milkweed.

Add to that the fact that here, where its very flat, the wind is CONSTANTLY changing and that means I use my puffer constantly- much like when I elk hunt out West....a puffer bottle I can pull from my vest pocket, snick the top with my thumb and squeeze so I see whats happening, all while still holding onto my bow with my left hand is indispensible.

As long as its dry that wind feather is great because you don't have to DO anything. Good stuff.

[dnovo]

I use the milk weed pods also. Gives me a great indication of what the wind is doing not only at my stand but up to 20-30 yards away. I stuff mine into a empty film canister( have to conserve these since using digital) and just pull one away and let it go. You can watch it for quite a ways.