Author Topic: Scent control. (Read 653 times)

Daveinthebush · « **on:** September 28, 2004, 04:57:53 PM »

Usually about a week before the hunting season and knowing where I will be the first day, I pick as many natural grasses, weeds, fruits and such and place them into a plastic bag. On top of the collection I place my opening day hunting clothes and seal the bay.

On opening day when I arrive at the hunting site I put them on. Not before as you will contaminate your clothes.

Works for me! Last resort, I will roll on the ground before going into the woods carefully checking for any animal leavings before hand.

Another. Walking to your stand that is along a cow or horse pasture! Your probably not steping into the best cover scent you could find that the deer are used to. Be sure to clean the boots before you walk into the house though. I don't think telling the wife that Daveinthebush said to do this will help the situation.

Can anyone tell I am really missing my deer hunting up here in Alaska?

Skipper · « **Reply #1 on:** September 29, 2004, 04:26:20 AM »

I keep seeing boots that are being made of the charcoal fabric for scent control. I've never used such a thing, and really think that it's something I really don't need.

Has anyone bought a pair with that fabric in them?

Skipper

HuntenNut · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2004, 09:53:42 AM »

Skipper,

I'd be wary of any that have leather on them. Leather holds a lot of scent and even if they have a scent absorbing lining, the boot itself will stink the place up good.

I have the good old rubber boots, but last year I got a pair of 8" Goretex Supprescent boots from Cabelas that are all synthetic on the outside (I think cordura?). They are a lot more comfortable than rubber boots.

My routine is to put them in the dryer on high for an hour to rejouvenate the charcoal (this releases the old scent from the carbon). I then spray them very heavily on the outside with "scent killer).

The problem with all these "scent control" gadgets is that it is very hard for the average hunter to tell if they work or not.

I have had success since using them, but how much of that is attributable to the boots and my scentlock suit?

I think the hunting magazines ought to do some real life testing on this stuff with some sort of objective measurement criteria. I don't know why they don't.

rudedog36 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2004, 10:05:18 AM »

don't belive everything a magazine prints. Yes deer can smell you from long distances----if you are not careful. You do not need to use carbon based suits!! This is what i do. I hang my clothes out probably a month before the season starts(make sure you turn them insideout, or they might fade) this not only lets the clothes air out, but most likely the clothes will get rained on a couple of times, which washes out most of every thing. When the season comes, always change in the field, unless its too cold, then just make sure you spray your car with no scent spray.
After hunting for the day, put your clothes in a garbage bag full of leaves, grass ect. (FROM THAT AREA ONLY) This will keep scent from getting in, and you clothes will draw in that smell of leaves. You also can put them in a carbon clothes bag, but don't bother with the leaves, because the carbon will suck up the smell anyway. Before you do go hunting, take a no scent shower first. This is a must. If you cant, they make no scent wet wipes, that you can clean yourself in the field, but its not as good. Also, make sure you spray yourself with no scent spray as an added precaution, before you dress. And finally, if you see a puddle of water, step in it, grab some mud and rub it on you legs and boots ect., mud and dirt is everywhere, so why not use it. Deer droppings help too, step on them squish them into you boots. Im sure i missed something, but i hope this helped.

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2004, 03:26:27 PM »

Quote

I'd be wary of any that have leather on them. Leather holds a lot of scent and even if they have a scent absorbing lining, the boot itself will stink the place up good.

I've been hunting in leather footwear for 50 years and never felt it was a handicap yet. Sure taken a passle of game in those years wearing leather.

Anyone who thinks they are fooling a deer's nose are in fact fooling no one but themselves. If the wind blows from you to him he knows you're there.

rudedog36 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 24, 2004, 08:23:33 AM »

Anyone who thinks they are fooling a deer's nose are in fact fooling no one but themselves. If the wind blows from you to him he knows you're there.[/quote]

Then call me a fool, I've had several deer walk into the wind and not known i was there. You know how I know that? iim shot them--with a bow--on the ground--twenty yards or less. Now Iam not stupid enough to say i've never been busted on stand, but I do know that the better prepared you are on scent control, the better oft you are. I also know that if you hunt long enough, you've probably shot a couple that way also.

savageT · « **Reply #6 on:** October 24, 2004, 09:14:54 AM »

I read something recently about using apple cider as a cover scent........Has anyone tried this or know if it would make sense...or scents!??

Jim

New Hampshire · « **Reply #7 on:** October 24, 2004, 10:25:54 AM »

I agree with most of what graybeard says that you probably aint gonna fool a deers nose (at least ultimately.) I figgure the methods I undertake can have some kind of advantage, no matter how small. I dont really go out of my way to eliminate all scent, therfore its not a big hassle. HOWEVER, Im not about to drop hundreds of dollars on scentblocking liners and clothing. Nor am I gonna wash all my clothes in a seperate washing machine and dry in a seperate dryer from the regular clothes. And c'mon, wearing rubber gloves to transport said clothing from said washing/drying vessles and into the dedicated scent proof container. I agree there is a point it all becomes rediculous.
Brian M.
P.S. I rather like the smell of fresh dirt over the "manly" deoderants and aftershaves. And I dont smoke those rather sweet smelling pipes......hmm I wonder. Nah my mom would kill me :-D .

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2004, 01:01:25 PM »

Well, as a hunter who don't get that much time after deer, I like to take all and any routes necessary (and logically :shock: ) to take deer. I do a little scent elimination. I tell you what...I had a doe walk literally on top of me (or under me...tree stand) and I had washed my hunting clothes in Scent-a-way wash and showered the morning before with special soap and applied a layer of scent-free anti-persprent to my underarms. Sprayed a lil' of that scent killer stuff on before I hit the woods. The only thing that I was concerned with was my movement. Spooked a doe as I was walking to a stand...didn't wind one. But I wont spend $$$ on scent stuff (that is until I get rich :-D ). And "scent elimination" I don't think is the right term anyway. I read that stuff actually more or less "reduces" scent...making a deer smell you and think you're 400 yds away instead of 40. But...we all have our ways, don't we? Take care.

Graybeard · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2004, 01:55:51 PM »

I've also had deer directly under me while in trees and they never had a clue I was there. Sure I showered before going but walked in a long way carrying stand, gun and pack. Yeah I sweated.

It's all a matter of where the wind carries your scent. Your NOT gonna eliminate it and are not going to reduce it to where a deer cannot know what you are. If the wind blows it to the deer's nose you're busted.