wind marker....DIY

[deerly departed]

What do I need to make my own wind marker.
whats a good puffer bottle....and whats a good scentless powder to use
thanks

 

[finnbear270]

What do I need to make my own wind marker.
whats a good puffer bottle....and whats a good scentless powder to use
thanks

Fine pumice & a small bottle (empty) lens cleaning fluid.

 

[caorach]

What do I need to make my own wind marker.
whats a good puffer bottle....and whats a good scentless powder to use
thanks

I got some puffer type bottles off ebay that worked well for the job, if you search on something like "plastic dropper bottle" you will have more choice than you can imagine and they are inexpensive.

I use two different things in them. One is chalk for marking a chalk line - this comes in big bottles and is inexpensive and you can probably get it from your local hardware store. This is what I have, but with the cost of postage probably best to get it locally:

Faithfull Chalk Line Powder White | eBay

I find that white chalk is good in forestry as you can watch it drift for quite a distance among the trees and the white makes a good contrast against trees in low light. Being able to watch it for a little while is helpful in very low wind conditions as it might move off in one direction, and then change.

If you want something that will carry well on the very lightest of winds then get some lycopodium powder, this is used in special effects etc. for making flames but it is a very fine powder and it makes the wind really well. However the lycopodium is yellow in colour and i find it isn't so easy to see plus with being so fine it seems to disperse quite rapidly. It might be slightly better for very light winds but in general use the white chalk works better in my view.

 

[sh1kar]

I bought a puffer from bushwear to get the bottle then after it was finished I use ground sieved ash from my fire

sieved (mesh tea strainer!) onto a4 paper to get minute bits of charcoal out fold paper and pour into bottle free!

S

I got some puffer type bottles off ebay that worked well for the job, if you search on something like "plastic dropper bottle" you will have more choice than you can imagine and they are inexpensive.

I use two different things in them. One is chalk for marking a chalk line - this comes in big bottles and is inexpensive and you can probably get it from your local hardware store. This is what I have, but with the cost of postage probably best to get it locally:

Faithfull Chalk Line Powder White | eBay

I find that white chalk is good in forestry as you can watch it drift for quite a distance among the trees and the white makes a good contrast against trees in low light. Being able to watch it for a little while is helpful in very low wind conditions as it might move off in one direction, and then change.

If you want something that will carry well on the very lightest of winds then get some lycopodium powder, this is used in special effects etc. for making flames but it is a very fine powder and it makes the wind really well. However the lycopodium is yellow in colour and i find it isn't so easy to see plus with being so fine it seems to disperse quite rapidly. It might be slightly better for very light winds but in general use the white chalk works better in my view.

 

[Freeforester]

..... Or you might consider kids 'soap' blow bubbles, which can carry for a long way and indicate eddies or shifts in wind direction, etc.......

 

[Klenchblaize]

Modify an e-ciagrette so rather than inhaling the vapour you release it direct to atmosphere.

Nothing is better unless you smokes pipe.

K

 

[sh1kar]

Modify an e-ciagrette so rather than inhaling the vapour you release it direct to atmosphere.

Nothing is better unless you smokes pipe.

K

Aye you right I smoke now a monster e thingy smoke generator but not the same as Walnut in my old Petersons .... The ash I am now using is from from an old leadwood tree we burnt on a barbie at my sons 21st Braai at Timbavati He now 31 and on my last fill

Am thinking a good use for my ashes when gone.......

If you Africa boys not been to the elephant museum there spectacular You cannot imagine ivory so big

if you start at Skukuza you can see Harry Wolkiutter knlife that he killed lion with Hand to hand Good luck!

S

 

[flipflop]

Dkp 2!

 

[gsorense]

Not being funny but whats the point of a wind marker? I know people who use them but I find its normally pretty obvious which direction the wind is blowing.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Not being funny but whats the point of a wind marker? I know people who use them but I find its normally pretty obvious which direction the wind is blowing.

Perhaps it's a Lowland thing but in the woodlands I stalk and particularly one that follows a ridge, the wind moves in a very unpredictable manner. Only with a very light powder or smoke will you see just how strange and all over the place it can be!

K

 

[jubnut]

Its just another thing for people to obsess about.

I used to fiddle fart arse around with talcum powder and all that ********.

In the situation Klench describes the wind is eddying at you but christ knows what it's doing 10/15 yards away, let alone 50 etc etc.

I have shot deer with the wind on me from all points of the compass at all ranges.

Stalk into the prevailing wind and forget about faffing around with powders, bubbles and smoke.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Its just another thing for people to obsess about.

I used to fiddle fart arse around with talcum powder and all that ********.

In the situation Klench describes the wind is eddying at you but christ knows what it's doing 10/15 yards away, let alone 50 etc etc.

I have shot deer with the wind on me from all points of the compass at all ranges.

Stalk into the prevailing wind and forget about faffing around with powders, bubbles and smoke.

Yes, but some folk might require an indication of direction before moving from the vehicle!

K

 

[Druid]

Dkp 2!

Funny! Courtesy of the queen.

 

[User00025]

As someone else said, a good Briar, box of matches, and a pouch full of Black Cherry baccy.

 

[liongeorge]

Kids bubbles are much better than powder IMHO they carry vissably for much further sometime 100yds or so and show eddies etc. Perfect for the woods. you can get small bottles with good screw cap if you keep your eyes skinned. Nicked mine from a party bag my daughter brought home.

 

[jubnut]

Yes, but some folk might require an indication of direction before moving from the vehicle!

K

Thats what the exhaust is for.

 

[SamHuntVic]

Here's what I use. 200mm of embroidery cotton taped to the end of the barrel. It gives me wind direction consistently, right where I am.
I keep the roll of the stuff in my pack for when the indicator gets ripped off by blackberries.
Grant.

 

[deerly departed]

..... Or you might consider kids 'soap' blow bubbles, which can carry for a long way and indicate eddies or shifts in wind direction, etc.......

That is a good idea and you can get different soap mixes which mean the bubbles last longer BUT its a 2 handed operation and I always find the damned things leak and your get liquid soap everywhere. Even if you bag it, you then have lots more movement and potential noise.

I might use bubbles if I was static in a high seat or fox box but carrying it around isn't going to be my idea of fun.

 

[deerly departed]

Not being funny but whats the point of a wind marker? I know people who use them but I find its normally pretty obvious which direction the wind is blowing.

Well you would be wrong then. If you are on open flat land you might - just might- have a point but if there are obstacles and undulations then its a totally different ball game. even changing height can cause a significant change in direction and speed.

I shoot at a club and when we have newbies, we sometimes put out firebirds for a bit of fun. this range is 100 yards with fences, hedges, trees, banking buildings.....a diverse landscape.

Invariably, the initial smoke plumes rolls over going left or right and then it drifts back on itself. The wind here is really tricky. There is someone who likes lighting fires at the end and it is very interesting to watch the soke reveal how complex the wind patterns are,

So it is in the field especially in woodland. I learnt that in FT and HFT that the wind patterns are never a straight blow and also, in certain layouts, the wind is funnelled into a concentrated jet moving must faster than the average around you.

Wind is an art so knowing at least where your scent is starting to go is a bit of a heads up but even then, the indicator will disperse before it gives you the full story.

 

[deerly departed]

Here's what I use. 200mm of embroidery cotton taped to the end of the barrel. It gives me wind direction consistently, right where I am.View attachment 90054
I keep the roll of the stuff in my pack for when the indicator gets ripped off by blackberries.
Grant.

Ah......often used in FT and HFT to give an indicator. But its tethered so if the wind is curving, it wont show it the same as a smoke marker will. but it works to a degree.