Rabbit scent also curled back and away from the dog, like snow behind a snow fence. Scent vagaries aren't limited to the antics of wind, however. Hounds excitedly strike an apparently fresh track on a south slope, only to have the bear vanish in thin air as it leads around to the north. The reality is that perhaps two weeks ago the bear left footprints that quickly froze. On this day, the tracks thawed-but only on the sunny south side.
Temperatures change far more rapidly in air than in earth or snow.
Air may be turning cold while partially thawed snow is still wet. Snow and ice balls up on rabbits' feet and locks in scent. If wind is also disbursing body scent, don't be surprised if your beagles can't trail the rabbit you just jumped. Changing temperatures can present advantages as well. Warming daytime air lifts quail scent, aiding pointers hunting into the wind.