Wind: Friend or Foe?

[Lydford 2]

Just arrived home after an interesting visit to my permission. Arrived around 7.0am to find the wind had strengthened considerably since leaving home.

 

Decided to leave the Scorpion SE .177 in the SUV and selected my Air Arms S510 in .22 - if I was to get a chance at taking a shot today it would be pretty close range with the wind now beginning to howl like a banshee. Once I entered the wood I looked for sitty trees to the lee of the wind direction and found I could move quite freely without fear of disturbing possible quarry as the noise of the wind in the trees was considerable.

 

Sneaking around a hedge I was confronted with not one but four woodies seemingly staring straight at me from the old, dead tree at the corner of the second copse. I froze, bowed my head and melted into the hedgerow from where I steadied the S510 and took the nearest one at 26 yards in the head.

 

Without the wind noise it is almost impossible to surprise woodies from that position. Hence my question: wind - friend or foe ...

[pianoman 3,587]

Hello Lydford.

 

Both, I'm afraid.

 

FOE.

it will blow your ammo off-course no problem.

It's near hopeless to get a true zero set-up.

It acts as an amplifier to carry sound to ears of rabbits much better than still air.

It will carry your scent for miles.

 

FRIEND.

It can make stalking easier.

It can carry sound away from you.

Rabbits are easier to find and close-in on, sheltering in the lee of hilly, sloping ground or grassy banks against the winds.

It can be used in your favour to confuse wary quarry as to where you are and flush them to your gun.

 

You just have to know how to use it.

 

Pianoman

[Lydford 2]

Yes, I quite agree. Good thing I didn't go with the .177 ...

[ghillies 209]

hard rains good too..soaks the gun though. they hudle in and cant see fu toffy, and just arnt intrested.

Edited October 18, 2012 by ghillies