Bachelor group located, what to do next??

[Angry Perch]

I think when referring to thermals, they are referencing the direction you should approach the deer to avoid being busted by your scent. When thermals are going up, approach the deer from above (down wind). When thermals are going down, hunt them from below (again, down wind).

[fishnfur]

Google "hunting thermals". 

They go downhill all night, until the air temps warm up at the top of the hill once the sun is up.  That warm air at the top rises as it warms and the air below follows in something like a vacuum.  The warmer it gets, the faster the thermals flow uphill (or move inland if you're hunting the coast).  Once temps drop in the late afternoon or early evening, the cooler air at the top sinks and the thermals reverse and flow downhill again.   

If there is a creek down below, or the wind is blowing across the ridgetops, that complicates things greatly.  Read a bit and try to apply it to what you're experiencing in the field.

[jackelope]

The thermals will carry your scent downhill or uphill. In the morning, hunt from the bottom up, and viceversa later on in the day when the thermals shift.

[Kpem]

So I haven't seen those bucks since that day. Seen a few others on the way out at night almost every time. Thinking of pulling the plug on the ridge and setting up another glassing point on a high high point about quarter mile from the ridge and flat clear area where I seen those other bucks at. Or just picking a new area all together

[fishnfur]

Take a headlamp and stay till last light.  If you are seeing deer walking out, then you're leaving too early. 

Chances are pretty good the velvet is off and the bucks have gone (or will soon go) their separate ways.  They will likely still be in that area though, just not all together at once. 

[csaaphill]

tag.

[Kpem]

Stayed really late tonight. Moon was very bright, so bright I had a shadow lol. But nothing. I think they probably stayed hunkered down till late cause it's so bright. I did discover another prospective area in the back corner of the property. Might check that out and glass early next time...

I'm kinda out of moves, the wind just stirs and whips all over up there. One minute good wind, the next complete opposite. Very strange, I've never experienced the variables this property presents

[fishnfur]

Swirling winds are often a problem in the hills.  Hunting up high (vice down low in the bottoms) should give you more constant wind direction.  Good luck!

Here's a really good book with excellent discussions on how to hunt hills effectively in windy conditions.  If you can get it in the new and used section for ten bucks, then you scored:  https://www.amazon.com/Mapping-Trophy-Bucks-Brad-Herndon/dp/0873495039/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473654630&sr=8-1&keywords=mapping+for+trophy+whitetails

[csaaphill]