When you stand downwind from an animal, can they smell you?

Question

We play a game called dangerous hunts were you hunt polar bears and stuff. I have a bet with my dad he said if your downwind the animal can smell you, but I think he's wrong please help me!

Answer 1

Gusting winds can effect it, but only if you are very close. I wouldnt want to stand close enough to a polar bear to find out as he would see you before he smelled you. Why dont you have you dad test it and try to prove his theory as accurate. Inform us of the results...lol

He is, generally speaking, "WRONG".

Answer 2

Well. I know absolutely nothing about hunting polar bears.

I’m an avid bow hunter. Have taken numerous deer, a few elk and a moose and a black bear with a bow.

You have to be close to the animal your hunting. Usually less that 30 yards before shooting.

Certainly try to hunt with the prevailing wind in your face-sun to your back. And even when everything is in the hunters favor-still very difficult not to be detected. Thus I always use a good “cover” scent. In my opinion-yes than can detect your unmasked scent at close range. Smell you. At least the game I hunt seem to be able too.

Answer 3

Yes. Scent travels in all directions not just in the direction of the wind. By being downwind the scent is weaker and harder for the animal to decipher as to what is in the area. In hunting terms it is best to be downwind due to the wind carrying Your scent away from the animal.

Answer 4

they might definately scent you. Your fragrance is carried on the wind. human beings talk approximately "damaging little defenseless" animals. this is the farthest element from the reality. Deer, have long snouts that are stuffed with olfactory glands. they might scent your breath. Being greater decreases the probabilities that he will scent ya yet I easily have been "busted" by ability of deer i've got no longer even considered. I purely pay attention the laugh and that they are long gone. A bear can scent extra advantageous than a deer yet has a organic interest as to what you're. you will in no way fool a bears nostril. so a procedures as shot placement, purpose for purely in the back of the front shoulder. The lungs are placed right here. that is not substantial how vast the animal is, if he can not breathe he's unlikely a procedures. A rifle shot is larger placed at this factor yet an instantaneous front shoulder hit will end on your prefer. A bow shot ought to in no way be taken different than a broadside placement in the back of the shoulder, or a quartering away perspective. The quartering away perspective facilitates arrow penetration into the lungs and heart area, ensuing a in speedy loss of existence. BTW venison is the beef of kings, and one hundred % organic. I have faith mom nature extra advantageous than the FDA. wish this permits and stable looking.

Answer 5

Certainly if you are downwind 'enough' the animal cannot smell you.

Otherwise hunters the world over since the dawn of time to trophy hunters now, would be going home empty handed.

Answer 6

You just state down wind but there is so much to it than just that!
Wind currents,hills,valleys,tree lines open fields all play into the wind effect.Try using gopher bombs out in your local woods and see what really happens you may just get the real understanding to whay happens with wind.
I had a student that could never get this buck to come out in the field until late when he left stand and was back in his truck to go home.So I told him to smoke the area and see what was going on and he did he found the wind blew to his face BUT! At about 60 yards behind him was a heavy pine woods of young mid growth pines in a U shaped planting.This wood lot ran straight back to the field!His smoke went behind him about 60 yards went to the ground and swirled along and followed the pines right back to the field near where the deer came out at!! Then to his dismay the smoke gathered along the woodline and just disappeared right at the deers noses!He then changed stand placement and bagged a nice 7 ointer the 2 nd night he hunted his new stand.
So yes "very possible" that any animal with the ability to smell like deer and bear it would rely on the wind currents!
My hunting mentor guided for bear out west and had many bear come into view while up wind of hunter and stand smelling the area then turn away and head to a flanking position then all of a sudden appear down wind of the hunters!Wind cuurents!!

Answer 7

Depends on the wind. Probably not at 100 or more yards. If you get close enough (25 yds.) they can smell you downwind in a hurricane.

Answer 8

If your down wind of any animal, your sent is traveling away from the animal.
That is why predators circle you ( or anything suspicious ) so it will catch your sent to ID you.
It can see you and hear you but NOT scent you.
I have had foxes with in 20 yards up wind of me ( so I was down wind of the fox ) while I was in full camouflage and it never knew I was there.
And foxes are the most leery and nerves animal on the planet, yell BOO and it would die of a heart attack.

D58


Hunting with Rifle, Pistol, Muzzle loader and Bow for over 3 decades.
Reloading Rifle, Pistol and shotgun for over 3 decades.

Answer 9

If the animal is downwind from you-yes, if you are downwind from it-probly not, unless he is close and the wind is blowing very hard.

Answer 10

You are correct, however there is a very, very slim chance that they still could depending are air movement or air current changes*. So he is not 100% wrong* but you are more correct than your Dad*...