How to Make Your Own Wind Checker

Many big game animals have a keen sence of smell. To keep them from smelling you, you should wear scentless clothing and "play the wind". To play the wind you need to know what direction it is moving. For this, some hunters use wind checkers. Here's how to make your own.
You will need:
- a film canister or pill bottle
- a drill
- a 3/8" bit
- dead milkweed pods

Collect Milkweed Pods

Collect these milkweed pods in the fall. You will need about six per container. In the summer they aren't fluffy but sticky and messy on the inside. By mid october, collect brown ones and break them open. You should find a bunch of seeds that look like down feathers of a bird. Milkweed is most common in fields.

Remove the Brown Parts of the Seeds.

You should be able to just pull them off with your fingers, then either throw them away, or plant them, this is the seed and the white stuff is what helps disperse the seeds.

Drill a Hole in the Bottom of a Pill Bottle or Film Canister

This is where you pluck some of the milkweed fluff. Just drill a hole in the bottom with a 3/8" drill bit.

Stuff the Fluff

Cram all of the milkweed fluff into the container and replace the cap. You could label the device, paint it, or tape the lid down to make sure it doesn't come off.

Use

When hunting, use this by plucking a pinch and letting it fly. Watch where it goes to determine the wind direction and form your plan of attack.