In elk country, no law is more absolute than the law of the wind. You can get away with a missed call, a snapped twig, or a blown setup—but the second an elk catches your scent, the hunt is over. In this episode of Backbone Unlimited, I’m breaking down the science and strategy behind wind and thermals—the invisible force that dictates every move elk make and every decision you should make as a hunter. We’ll cover the daily cycle of thermals, how weather and terrain bend air currents, and why elk bed, feed, and travel where they do. I’ll show you how to plan approaches, setups, and ambushes that keep your scent safe—and how to adapt when the wind inevitably shifts. You’ll also learn how elk use air movement to survive, and how hunters who ignore it end up educating elk instead of killing them. Mastering the law of the wind isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of every successful elk hunt. Respect it, and you stay in the game. Ignore it, and you’ll never know how many elk you blew out before you ever saw them.