My favorite wind indicator was the Cirrus Wind Indicator which used vapor to detect the direction of the wind. It has up to 1000 puffs and comes in a variety of natural scents which will cover yours as well.
I think that we both can agree that if you do not know the direction of the wind while hunting, then you can just as well pack up and go home.
Why?
Blowing wind will influence how many deer will detect you and will also determine how accurate your shot will be. It is crucial to know the direction of the wind and who knows, the wind can be of benefit as well (more on that later).
Here is what you will learn today.
Today, I am going to go over the eight best wind indicators for hunting and also the different types of products that I could come across. If you are new to using wind indicators, then do not worry. I have created a guide in the next section that will teach you step-by-step how to use the knowledge from the direction of the wind correctly.
After this session, the wind will not cause a problem for you while hunting.
Our First 5 Wind Indicators
(Click on one of the product below to read the review)
- Cirrus Wind Indicator (Top Pick)
- Rocky Mountain Wind Checker (Budget Friendly)
- Moccasin Joe Wind Checker
- Hunters Specialties Windicator
- Firefly Electronic Wind Detector
Here we go:
Tutorial on How to Use a Wind Indicator
So you came this far which means you still could not choose the right product for your needs. No problem. This guide will show you exactly how to select the right indicator and also how to use them in practice.
1. Types of wind indicators
There are not a lot of different types of wind indicators when it comes to hunting. In this review, I will only include indicators that make use of a powder or are electrical.
a) Powder based indicators
This type of indicator is also going to be the most common type and the least expensive. This type usually makes use of a small bottle that contains a powder. Some of the bottles may range from 1 oz up to 8 oz depending on how many times you would like to go hunting. I prefer to use the larger bottles because these products are relatively cheap.
The price can range anywhere from $5 up to $40 per bottle. The only problem I have on the powder based wind indicators are that they are not that useful for when the wind blows too hard because the powder based cloud will disappear within the blink of an eye.
However, this type is very good at picking up winds that blow at a very slow speed because it is very susceptible to minor wind changes.
b) Electrical indicators
This type might be purely electrical or can be a fusion between powder and electricity. My top recommended product which was the Cirrus Wind Indicator which is also a fusion.
Other products such as the Firefly Electronic Wind Detector is purely electrical which has sensors that indicate the direction of the wind. This product will also show the course of the wind through the use of small LED lights. What I liked about this type is that it is very accurate and will indicate the direction of the wind even if it blows very hard.
2. The best way to use wind indicators for hunting
I cannot stress enough how important it is to be able to calculate the wind before and during your hunt. It is essential because of 3 reasons. The reasons will include your personal scent, the use of deer scent and also the trajectory of the bullet or arrow.
Let’s start with your scent.
a) The influence windage have on your scent
Whitetail deer, Blacktail deer or any deer have a very keen sense of smell and will detect your scent even before you have the chance to spot them.
Do you want to know what makes this worse?
The problem is that when the wind is blowing, it will carry your scent further down and alert even more animals than necessary. This is the reason why you need to know the wind direction before you go out hunting.
How to solve this problem:
Depending on the way you hunt, there are two solutions to this problem. If you are hunting on foot, then it is important to always move against the wind. This way the deer will not be alerted by your scent in the direction in which you are moving.
If you are hunting in stands or a tower, you also need to make yourself aware of the direction of the wind. The solution to this problem is to choose a tower or setup your stand against the course of the wind where your field of view will be located.
b) How you can use deer attractant or scent
Some hunters like to use deer attractants such as deer urine to attract deer to their location. This strategy will be a waiting game where you have to wait for the deer to approach your stand.
Here is the solution:
In this scenario, you want to do the opposite. You want to know the direction of the wind so that you can spray the sent so that it will travel along with the wind. Here, you can use the wind to your advantage instead of it being your enemy. Many smart hunters know this and will always come home without empty hands. So instead of trying to face the wind, you should follow along with it.
c) How the wind direction and speed will influence your accuracy
If you are familiar with shooting or bow hunting, then you will know that one of the factors that will influence your accuracy is going to be the windage. This statement is especially true for when you like to shoot long distances or when the wind is blowing very strong. The most influence the wind will have is when it is coming from the side.
Here is another solution:
The best way to counter this is by adjusting your aim or your scope. Let’s say the wind is coming from the west and your field of view is aiming north. If you can form a mental picture, then you will realize that the wind is coming from the left.
Now, you can either adjust your reticle position one or two points to the right depending on the bullet weight and distance of the shot. The further you have to shoot, the more points, you need to move. When moving your reticle, it will compensate for the wind that will drive your bullet in the direction it is blowing.
The second option is my favorite, and it involves moving your crosshair to the opposite direction of where the wind is blowing. If the wind is coming from the left, you must move your reticle to the left. Once my scope is set-in, I do not like to further chop and change on the settings.
#1 Cirrus Wind Indicator
Best For: This product is best for hunters that are serious when it comes to indicating the wind direction.
If you are hunting outdoors and you would like to have a very accurate wind indicator, then you will love the Cirrus Wind Indicator. This indicator is also battery powered and uses vapor to indicate the wind direction. Once the vapor is in the air, it will then show you the direction and the speed at which the wind is blowing. Here is how to use it.
Firstly, you have to hold in the charge button and then you can press the bellows button at the bottom of the bottle that will then release the vapor. You can also replace the cartridges which will hold up to 1000 puffs. The cartridges also come in different scents which include Earth, Acorn, Pine and even the Cloud which is unscented. This product also comes with a USB charger from which to recharge the batteries.
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#2 Rocky Mountain Wind Checker
Best For: This product is for hunters that want to get started with wind detection without putting a dent in their wallet.
The Rocky Mountain Wind Checker is one of those accessories that you cannot go without when out hunting. Whether you are bow hunting or using your rifle, you will benefit from this product. This product is also very inexpensive compared to what it can do. This product comes in a small bottle that has a specially formulated powder inside. The bottle weighs 0.5 pounds and is small enough to fit in one of your hands. The way to use this bottle is first to shake it and then squeeze it until it releases some of the powder in the air. This product will give you the ability to estimate the wind direction and also the wind speed quickly.
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#3 Moccasin Joe Wind Checker
Best For: This product is best for hunters that want an inexpensive option that will indicate the wind direction.
When it comes to wind detection, then the Moccasin Joe smoke in a bottle is a winner. This product also makes use of powder that when released, will indicate the wind direction and the speed. This product might be small for most people with a weight of almost 0.1 Lb. The way to use this bottle is first to shake it, open the lid and then squeeze it until it releases some of the powder into the air. This product is also very inexpensive.
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#4 Hunters Specialties Windicator
Best For: Best for hunters that want a wind indicator that releases an odorless powder.
- Editors Rating: 8/10
- Price Range: $
- Size: 1 oz
- Type: Powder
The Hunters Specialties Windicator is another product that used talc powder to indicate the wind direction. The bottle is also tiny and only weighs around 1 oz which might be enough for the whole hunting season. The powder is also odorless which is best if you do not want to be detected by deer. The best way to use this product is to shake it and then squeeze it. The bottle will then release a white powder that will indicate the wind direction.
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#5 Firefly Electronic Wind Detector
Best For: This product is best for individuals that want to rely on an electrical wind indicator.
If you do not want to waste your time with powder related wind indicators, then you will love the Firefly Electronic Wind Detector. This product can quickly detect the wind with more than 500 readings per second. This product is similar in size to that of a flashlight. It also weighs 3 oz with batteries included.
The way to use this product is to remove the tight cap and then point it up into the air. Now you need to press the button which will then start to take the readings. Once you have taken the readings, the small LED bulbs will burn in the direction from where the wind is coming from. Once you have removed the cap, you will also have access to a compass.
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#6 Dead Down Wind Detector
Best For: This product is best for individuals that do not want to spend a fortune on wind indicators.
The Dead Down Wind Detector is another product that makes use of proprietary particles to indicate the wind direction. When used, this product will release a cloud of powder into the air which will then report the course of the wind. This product is also straightforward to use. You also need to shake the bottle before using it. After the shaking is done, you can then squeeze the bottle until it releases some of the powder into the air. This product is very inexpensive compared to some of the other ones listed in this article.
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#7 Code Blue Wind Detector
Best For: This product is another great option for hunters that want to indicate the wind direction with the use of powder.
The Code Blue Wind Detector is another excellent product that can quickly detect the direction of the wind. It is a small white bottle that is filled with white powder. The bottle also weighs around 1 oz which is not much. You can comfortably fit this product in the palm of your hand which makes using this product very easy. To use this product, you also need to squeeze the bottle until it releases some of its powder into the air. It will then form a cloud which will move in the direction of the wind.
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#8 Primos Hunting Wind Checker
Best For: This product is best for hunters that want a larger bottle that might be enough for the whole hunting season.
If you would like to know about another powder based wind checker, then I would highly recommend the Primos Hunting Wind Checker. This wind checker also contains more powder than most of the other brands which makes it ideal for hunting long season. This bottle weights 2 oz which is enough for the whole hunting season. To top it off this product also releases odorless vapor which is best for hunting deer. This product also needs to be squeezed to get the vapor out of the bottle.
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Wind Indicators Comparison Table
| Product Name | Size | Type | Price |
| 1. Cirrus Wind Indicator (Top Pick) | 6.4 oz | Powder | $$ |
| 2. Rocky Mountain Wind Checker (Least Expensive) | 8 oz | Powder | $ |
| 3. Moccasin Joe Wind Checker | 1.6 oz | Powder | $ |
| 4. Hunters Specialties Windicator | 1 oz | Powder | $ |
| 5. Firefly Electronic Wind Detector | 3 oz | Electronic | $$ |
| 6. Dead Down Wind Detector | 0.98 oz | Powder | $ |
| 7. Code Blue Wind Detector | 1 oz | Powder | $ |
| 8. Primos Hunting Wind Checker | 2 oz | Powder | $ |
Conclusion
Hopefully, after reading this article, windage during hunting will not cause any problem for you anymore. At least now, you can indicate the wind direction without having to waste any time (or game).
What methods do you currently use to detect the wind? Please also share with us which one was your favorite wind indicator. By using electric equipment, you can improve your hunting experience.
I am on a budget and I think I will go with Rocky Mountain. I think of using a bow however I am just a beginner. I know the price is quite good. But how is the cost efficiency of it? Is it the best? Or is there another one better?
All of the powder based indicators are very inexpensive and most of them are basically the same in what they do. I would go for any powder based product if you are short on a budget.
Hello Valie,
This was a very detailed post on wind indicators. I used to do some pheasant hunting so it intrigued me.