Prevailing wind vs thermals

[mad_angler]

Background... I'm in Wyoming chasing cows with a rifle in October/November. I have private land below me and to the east of me. I think the cows are feeding on the private and then climbing back to the dark timber on the public land.

Also, there is usually a pretty strong wind (let's say 15 mph). It is almost always from the west.

During the late afternoon, which will win? Will my scent go uphill and west because of the thermals? Or will it go downhill and east with the prevailing wind?

There are a few open areas. Would I have a better chance of avoiding the thermals if I stuck to the more open areas?

 

[Yoder]

Unless the wind is steady, it will probably do a little of both. I think every time the wind dies down, the thermals will take it the other direction. I would bring some milk weed to see what is happening.

 

[GunsAreFun]

That’s what I had in Colorado this year, and it was a nightmare. Wind would stop and thermals would stake over. Cloud goes over the sun and wind takes over. And then it would randomly go north and south too.

Sorry, I’m no help lol

 

[ozyclint]

How far below you are we talking about? Topography makes a big difference.
If the hill/mountain is big/steep enough and the wind strong enough it can suck up the hill in the opposite direction to the wind. Just like the low pressure zone immediately behind a large truck on the highway.

 

[*zap*]

thermal is used by deer around here more than wind because it is the same every day....I would imagine that is true in the mountains also.

 

[Jbehredt]

An actual steady 15 mph negate any thermal activity. As already touched on, any lulls will be swirly nightmares though.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

If it’s a true and steady 15 mph wind, that trumps thermals in almost all situations.

 

[commandoNate]

I think of thermals as what the air is doing when the wind isn't blowing. Even when it's windy it will die down now and then and then the thermals do their thing.

 

[Wrench]

The problem with the situation is the brief moment when the prevailing goes flat and the thermal rules. It happens nearly every day, twice a day.

 

[Wrench]

You can ribbon a tree and watch it happen.

 

[Marble]

You can ribbon a tree and watch it happen.

Don't share our trade secrets!!!

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[Marble]

Also, a thick canopy with a fairly open under bush can create that pushing or sucking action , up or down the mountain. Sometimes wind will blow through the trees, fighting or helping or thermals. Other times it will blow over trees, sucking the wind up the mountain.

Usually I'll walk an area to see what the wind does so j know how to approach and/or hunt it later.

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[ccthomasjr]

Interesting feedback from all. Thermals are indeed incredibly tricky and honestly you pray for little wind just so you can play the thermals and not have an opposite factor in lull. But 15mph should win out against thermals every time (except the lulls). I also find stronger thermals based on steepness of the terrain.

 

[*zap*]

the wind direction will determine if it negates the thermal....very important.

 

[Wrench]

I've seen substantial winds lay down and infact reverse direction for periods of time during thermal shifts. It's maddening.