Now everyone here probably/should be working the wind . . . but how many of you guys/gals work the sun as well? I have found it to be more of a tool than the wind, lol!
I'm confused...Occupational work or working during stalking???
I use it whenever the wind lets me use it.
Sometimes mid-morning and mid-afternoon out here it is a great blinder for anything looking my way.
Joshua
I always setup treestands with the sun in mind.Wind first. Its really good to set up on a hot food tree with the wind right and the sun at your back.RC
Sun in the deer's eyes.That's a good point Chris.Gene Wensel even talked about that in one of his books years ago.
Having the low sun to your back and the animal approaching toward the sun can be a huge advantage as far as his sight goes.I think it is much overlooked.
You have to be very careful if hunting from a tree though,as your shadow will be cast on the ground in front of the animal.If you don't move slowly enough,he can catch the movemaent in your shadow.
I used to have a setup for antelope at a fence crossing.Sitting there in the evening,when the sun got low behind me,you could actually see the animals squinting as they approached.The bright,Western sun bothers us at that time of day.Imagine if your vision were magnified 10X like an antelopes's.Their vision is their number one defense and that may be the only time it is compromised.
I shot one like that at 30' once,no blind,just hunkering in high weeds.
It can affect deer the same way at the right time and place.Just always be aware of your shadow.This just helps your with their vision.You can never forget the wind.
I use the sun whenever I can. The wind first sun as much as possible. Try not to skyline. I posted a video of a moose hunt a while back and it was dead solid proof how much of a role the sun plays.
On my place I have stands for morning and evening hunts, based on the sun. I hate looking into it myself, so I figure the deer do too.
Always. It's a major priority. Far too many guys set up tree stands in the middle of the day in september, with all the leaves up, not knowing they'll be totally in the sun for say an evening hunt in late october.
The same with natural ground blinds. You do not want to be out in full sun. Find a way to not face the sun in any way and to stay in the shadows.
I found it to be usefull this season. I hunt the mountains and during mid day it was kinda like a sun low on a flat horizon for the critters downhill. I was working the wind and the sun, and even though I was noisy, unitentional of course, the buck didnt run because he didnt see what I was, although he didnt want to come to me either, lol. But I was just wondering if anyone else has used it before. And it sounds like alot of you guys have!!
Deer need :cool: sunglasses. I has worked for me more then once.
I found the sun at your back can be extremely useful.
Especially in open country.
While hunting caribou on the tundra my buddy and I were able to walk in single file with the wind in our faces and the sun at our backs,across open tundra and walked within shooting range of two bulls.
IMHO wind should always come first.
Wind then sun. Duck and goose hunting it is sun first other than setting up to shoot them coming into the wind to land. Makes a big difference if you are back or front lit and the sun is in their eyes.
Years ago I watched a nice 8 point bed in tall weeds about 150 yards from my stand at first light. I got the wind in my face and put the sun at my back. I got to within 6-7 yards but due to tall weeds couldn't get a shot. Our eyes met and he was gone. I always enjoy the sun on cold mornings.
All my stands are setup so the sun is at my back 99% of the time.
Down here in the south in early season it can be very hot and it sure is nice to have the sun behind you instead of in your face.
Every one of my killer blinds is set up this way, and I am in the shade also, works great for me and the wife, hard on the deer and turkeys!
Definately take it into consideration if I can. Got caught flat footed in the wide open by a nice 6x6 bull elk one morning, but the sun blinded him and he went back to feeding. Ended up busted by a unnoticed spike that came in from the side, but the point is, the sun totally fooled the big boy.
Even more than the sun, I do make use of shadows. Always try to make sure I stop in a shadow and want my treestands in the shadows at the proper time of day.
As others have already said I too set stands to take advantage of wind and sun. Always try to have the sun at my back when ever possible.
Really pay attention to this on AM stands when the sun will be way up for a while. Do pay attention to shadows while drawing though.
When I hunt open areas I like the sun to my back.
Of course, But wind is always my first concern by far...
whenever possiable i keep it at my back
As long as conditions are right I use the sun mainly in the morning hours. It is a very effective tool to have in your bag of tricks.