It has a debilitating effect on both the coordination and appetite of most biting insects. Ten miles per hour seems to be the magic threshold at which flying insects are kept at bay. The rule, in short, is to take the high trail or windward shore to lessen your loss of blood. When looking for a campsite, avoid the wet, still woods and find a high, breezy outcrop or open shoreline. In bear country, the wind is a double-edged sword that can both attract and repel bruins.
Bears have an incredible sense of smell, and a good breeze can carry food odors many miles.
To prevent unwanted encounters, cook downwind of your campsite and keep your cooking time to a minimum. After cooking and eating, immediately wash all utensils, as well as your face and hands, and bag all food scraps. On the other hand, most bears are repelled by human scent. Whenever you can, try to keep the wind at your back. This puts your scent ahead of you, warning bears that you're coming so they can move out of the way.