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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: wasapt on January 14, 2010, 04:55:00 PM

Title: wind detector powder
Post by: wasapt on January 14, 2010, 04:55:00 PM
Just wanted to see what you use for powder in your bottle to detect the wind direction....
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: LKH on January 14, 2010, 05:00:00 PM
Fire Extinguisher powder.  Buy at firefighter supply places.  Cheap and beats
baby powder, talcum, baking powder, sifted ash, all of which I've tried.

Use well rinsed Elmer's glue bottle.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Butch Speer on January 14, 2010, 07:24:00 PM
Go to the hardware & buy some chalkline chalk. Try it in orange. Easy to find & pretty keep. Orange or blue is pretty easy to see.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: kybowman on January 14, 2010, 07:31:00 PM
Butch, I'm sorry but that's one ugly dog you got there.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Richie Nell on January 14, 2010, 07:34:00 PM
fireplace ash
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Ragnarok Forge on January 14, 2010, 07:46:00 PM
nonscented talcum powder.  I am going to have to try the chalk line chalk.  That is a good idea.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: DoubleJ1929 on January 14, 2010, 07:49:00 PM
Good Post!!!
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: rxhntr on January 14, 2010, 08:09:00 PM
ASH---now that is good--natural smell. anybody else have some more good ones???
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Friends call me Pac on January 14, 2010, 08:13:00 PM
I use corn startch  Can also sprinkle in your boots on early season hunts.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: VA Bowbender on January 14, 2010, 09:25:00 PM
I sent this to TBM and Robin put it in the "Tip of the Week"

 http://www.tradbow.com/public/289.cfm

Wind Direction Detector
By Robert Bingel
 

Take an old empty nasal spray bottle and pull the spray tip off. Remove any tubes and make sure the inside is completely dry. Fill it with chalk line chalk that can be purchased at any home improvement store.


 (http://www.tradbow.com/public/images/289a.jpg)

You might have to open the hole in the spray tip a little bit using a large pin, paper clip or such. Then put the spray tip back on. That's it, you're done. The chalk is odor free and carries in the breeze very freely. I like to use the orange colored chalk for it's high visibility.


 (http://www.tradbow.com/public/images/289b.jpg)
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: customcrester on January 14, 2010, 09:29:00 PM
Baby powder,i do not worry about the smell because if the deer can smell the powder they can smell me.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: lpcjon2 on January 14, 2010, 09:33:00 PM
I dont use powder I have a small belly (down)feather from a duck and I use a piece of suture silk(5") to attach it to the tip of my longbow it is so light it will pick up any wind and show you direction.   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Tater on January 14, 2010, 10:03:00 PM
I collect Milk Weed Pods in the fall and get the seeds/silk. I like these because the wind swirls alot in the Mountains the dust dissapates quickly but you can see the silk from the Milk Weed for a long distance the wind can change in 30-40 yards sometimes here. Just what works for me and it's free!
                Tater
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: EricW on January 14, 2010, 10:03:00 PM
i tried chalk line chalk and i didn't care for it. tended to come out in bunches and gets all over clothers and pack if your somewhat down wind
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: xtrema312 on January 14, 2010, 10:15:00 PM
Milk weed pods.  I got that tip on here this fall.  I got a pile.  I pulled off the seads.  I put a wad on a small plastic bag.  They work great and travel in view a long time.  Way better than powder.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Stan the bow man on January 14, 2010, 10:32:00 PM
Ive used flour before works well for me
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: MSwickard on January 14, 2010, 10:56:00 PM
Here in the west I use rubbed sage.  Just go to your grocery spice rack.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: SuperK on January 14, 2010, 10:56:00 PM
Try cotton balls.  Down here in eastern N.C. after the farmers pick the cotton you can pick up a bunch of it off the ground.  Just pull it apart into fibers and they will float on the wind a long ways.  What you don't use to check the wind you can stick up in the fork of a tree, bush ,etc and put out cover scent, buck lure or whatever you use.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: JimB on January 14, 2010, 11:08:00 PM
I have tried chalk line powder also.Thought I had come up with a good idea.It worked nothing like the original stuff in the bottle.I assume it isn't ground as fine.I just stick with the stuff I buy.It works.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Roughcountry on January 14, 2010, 11:20:00 PM
I use the stuff called Smoke in a Bottle.
Comes from Montana and is the only stuff I've found that really  acts like a curl of smoke. It's small, cost is about six bucks and will last about six or seven seasons. That counts winter predator hunts.

All the rest of the junk just goes up, drifts about a foot and hits the ground.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Guru on January 15, 2010, 07:43:00 AM
So far the only puff bottles I've used were bought..I always have one in my pocket....and I also always have a film canister full of milkweed pods attached to my bow....they really ride the wind for a long time...

A couple thoughts....colored chalk line chalk will get on your cloths and you at times...not good, it stains...

Someone mentioned" baby powder, and not being worried about the scent".....you have to remember, that stuff does eventually come down, and something with that much scent is just polluting the area around you with un-natural odor...worse than not using anything at all....
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Whip on January 15, 2010, 07:55:00 AM
I agree with Curt - I just use the store bought stuff.  A bottle lasts a long time for a few bucks.  I've tried the chalk line dust and really don't like that.  

I also use the milk week pods.  A great way to carry those is in an old plastic 35mm flim cannister (if you can find one!)  Drill a hole in the bottom and pull the milk weed out through the hole.  Works kind of like pulling a kleenex out of the box and is much handier than in a plastic bag  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Uncle Buck on January 15, 2010, 08:06:00 AM
I use the a duck down feather on a thread tied to the Bow. I like it because it doesnt require any movement on your part to use. In my experience movement has got me busted more often than anything else. If your town has a duck pond you can pick up a lifetime supply off the ground in about 5 minutes.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: hunt it on January 15, 2010, 08:15:00 AM
CORN STARCH no odour.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: WVeer on January 15, 2010, 08:17:00 AM
I agree with Tater and xtrema312, get you some Milk Weed pods.  I store them pod and all in a Ziploc bag.  I just take one out and put in my shirt/jacket pocket.  When you want to check the wind, just pull a little out and let it go.  You would be supprised to see how the wind swirls and how the thermals react here in the moutains.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: del on January 15, 2010, 08:18:00 AM
I use a malibu feather tied to my upper limb with dental floss.  I believe the animal I am hunting can see the puff of smoke too.  I don't think a puff of smoke is natural in the woods, smoke means fire, animals run from fire. Just the ramblings of a southern country boy.  <>< del
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Tater 2 on January 15, 2010, 08:18:00 AM
Another way to carry the Milk Weed Pods is in one of the old plastic oval change holders with the slit in the top, fill it up with the silks and put it in your pocket, quiet, and when you want to check the wind just squeeze the sides grab a pinch let the container close pull out the pinch and check the wind.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: BobCo 1965 on January 15, 2010, 09:44:00 AM
Yea, I like floaters myself such as milkweed. They'll go a lot further then powder will.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: bama on January 15, 2010, 10:02:00 AM
I steal some of my wifes knitting yarn.  You can tie a piece to a limb for a wind detectory or pull off strands and they fly as good as milkweed floaters.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Guru on January 15, 2010, 10:03:00 AM
Uncle Buck, The problem with something that's on your bow is that it limited to what the wind is doing right next to you. It could bouncing off of you, or the trees directly around you.  Or, it could be getting blocked by those as well.

Puffers or better yet something riding the wind a bit will really show you what the wind is doing out away from you, and what YOUR scent is really doing....

Del, If your deer can see a tiny shot of powder smoke, I'm sure glad I'm not hunting down there! That's some amazing eyesite!!    :eek:
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Mike Most on January 15, 2010, 10:08:00 AM
Looks like I will be going milk weed pod hunting..

Man you can learn a lot here

Again thanks

Mike......
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: hogdancer on January 15, 2010, 10:11:00 AM
Think Curt nailed it, I use a feather for what the wind is doing next to me and powder to see what it's doing away from me and where the currents are carrying my scent.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Roy Steele on January 15, 2010, 12:39:00 PM
I keep the orange chalk in my pack.But use milk weed pod.I also have a small turkey down feather tied to my selfbow.This works most of the time untill it gets wet.You don't want to get the milk weed wet eighter.So I'll use the calk in my pack.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: del on January 15, 2010, 01:49:00 PM
Guru, I did not mean to act like I know it all but yes, deer have very good sight.  Sorry if i offened you. <>< del
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Guru on January 15, 2010, 01:52:00 PM
No offence bud....just commenting is all...I would think the movement to use a puffer would spook anything before they even had a chance to see a little puff of smoke....It's all good    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: hayslope on January 15, 2010, 04:19:00 PM
I usually don't use a powder since I believe it has a tendency to not really tell me much about the wind currents near my stand.....that's where milkweed pods or a light color fiber floating through the air really shines.  Powder does a good job of showing wind direction at that moment.

I collect as many pods as I can lay my fingers on and store them, de-seeded, in 35mm film canisters.  I also buy the fiber material in a small plastic container at sporting goods stores when I find it.  I really like that stuff, but then again you really have to love using something that costs nothing and you find yourself.  We have an overabundance of milkweed around, so I always seem to have plenty.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Friends call me Pac on January 15, 2010, 05:59:00 PM
Just thought of something I've been doing for the last few hunts.  

I buy my hunting sweaters from goodwill.  They are all 100% wool.  A simple pluck on the sweater results in a few wool strands that fly great on the wind.  For about a dollar a sweater you get to stay warm and have a built in wind checker.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: MAGICMAN on January 15, 2010, 07:30:00 PM
I just refilled my bottle last night with corn starch. No odor & it worked like a charm when i puffed it!!
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: dcmeckel on January 15, 2010, 10:51:00 PM
try the local Farmers co-op.They may have a powder that is used on certain grains so it slides through a planter better.It's been working for me for years.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: Brook Trout on January 15, 2010, 11:03:00 PM
I also use milk weed pods.  They are free and you can stuff alot of the fibers into a film canister, so you can use them liberally.  I usually take a clump of fibers out of the canister and put them in a jacket pocket so I can check the wind often.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: onewhohasfun on January 16, 2010, 06:03:00 AM
I agree with the milk weeds, or yarn that steelheaders use. The powder may lead you astray if you are in a tree. You will be amazed and learn a lot about wind currents using something you can see for 20 or 30 seconds, up, down 180 degree shifts. Put mine in a plastic film can with a hole drilled in the top. Learned this from G Fred bout 20 yrs. ago.
Title: Re: wind detector powder
Post by: VTer on January 16, 2010, 09:01:00 AM
I use a 20 yd piece of dental floss tied to my upper bow limb. That way I know the wind direction and the outer edge of my shooting range.   ;)