Understanding Updrafts and Downdrafts: Tree Stand Placement and Avoiding Detection

Updrafts in the mornings and downdrafts in the evenings can carry your scent much farther than you realize.

If you're a deer hunter, you know that finding the perfect spot for your tree stand is critical for a successful hunt. But did you know that understanding updrafts and downdrafts can help you position your stand in a way that maximizes your chances of success?

During the morning and evening hours, cool air tends to sink, creating a downdraft that flows downhill. As the sun rises and the air warms, the opposite happens: warm air rises, creating an updraft that flows uphill. Understanding these natural air movements can help you position your tree stand in a way that minimizes the chances of deer smelling your human scent.

When setting up your tree stand, it's important to consider the direction of the wind and the location of the sun. In the morning, you'll want to position your stand on the downhill side of where you expect deer to be feeding or moving, so that your scent will be carried away from them by the downhill downdraft. In the evening, you'll want to position your stand on the uphill side, so that the uphill updraft will carry your scent away from the deer.

It's also important to consider the location of nearby obstacles, such as ridges, valleys, or large trees, that can affect air movement. These obstacles can create thermal pockets that can disrupt the natural flow of updrafts and downdrafts, and cause your scent to be carried in unpredictable directions. Paying attention to these factors can help you choose the best spot for your stand.

In addition to understanding updrafts and downdrafts, there are other steps you can take to minimize the chances of deer smelling your human scent. These include using scent-masking products, like soaps, shampoos, and deodorants (we recommend Dead Downwind) and wearing clothing that has been washed in scent-free detergent. You can also use an ozone generator for 5-15 minutes to quickly neutralize natural odors in your hunting clothes. (Just make sure that NO ONE — pets or humans— is enclosed with the ozone and follow all safety precautions with ozone generators.) And don’t forget your boots!

The drafts and air flows on your property are important factors to consider when you are planning to go hunting. By taking into account the natural movement of air, the direction of the wind, and the location of nearby obstacles, you can maximize your chances of avoiding detection and finally take that prime shot.