Covering Your Scent...

[PoisonSnake]

Have some questions for you in the know. That excludes the WAS bunch. Well, when I hunted primarily out of the perfect stand, I never had to worry about scent control much due to the direction that deer would approach and the direction of which I would approach the stand. This weekend, I was smelled probably 4 different times. Now, This was not until the deer were like 20 yards from me. And, I was hunting in a tree that was like the only tree in this creek bottom, but none the less, they did smell me. They never spooked, however, and there was a 20 mph wind. I had deer at 3-5 yards that never knew I was there, but those smart does can really fornicate you if you are not careful. I don't have a lot of faith in scentlock as I can pick it apart scientifically, proving to myself that it cannot work. I have not worn rubber boots in years as I never had to worry about a deer crossing my path. But, as I start to hunt my other stands (I have 12 up right now) I need to worry about this more and more. I'm considering buying a scentlock suit as I don't see what it would hurt me, although I don't think it would help me terribly much. Also, I am considering some rubber boots. I like those Muckboots that [email]Keith@aimlow[/email] bought a couple years back. Any recommendations? Like I said, these deer would have been dead before they ever realized anything was wrong. But, the Snake needs to remain undetected during the quest for the 160.

[Rafe Hollister]

Smitty, here's what I'm doing.

I've decided that worrying about scent control is more trouble than it's worth, and can get dammed expensive. What I've done is purchased 14 t-shirts at a cost of about $15. I'm wearing one per day for a week, then taking them up to the Tick Farm and placing them in strategic locations. The second week, I take up the next 7 shirts and swap with the ones I placed out there the previous week so I can bring them home and wear them again. This way the deer will become accustomed to my scent and my presence won't bother them a bit.

[hobiecat]

I looked at these, boots 1 boots 2, when I was down at BPS in Springfield weekend before last. Seem like nice boots and a great price. I woulduv bought some if the had my size while I was down there.

I must confess... I do have a scent suit. Mine is a a Browning with Supprescent. My wife bought it for my B-day coupla years ago. Here's my feelin on'em... really don't know if it's helpin, but I'm positive it ain't hurtin.

[PoisonSnake]

I've already got the Browning stuff, but that is for cold weather. I need some stuff that I can breakdance in while I'm out there and not work up a big sweat.

[hunting170]

Smitty,

I started doing this three years ago, and I think it has helped tremendously. I keep my hunting clothes in big Rubbermaid tubs. In these I have two mesh bags full of leaves. When I pull my clothes out, they reek of the smell of leaves. It`s pretty easy to do, and cheap too. I also have a pair of Irish Setter Buck Tracker boots that I like as well.

[hobiecat]

My Browning suit isn't the heavy chit... it's actually lighter than that scentlock underwear chit... and it's windproof and s'posed to be rain repellant (which means if it's mistin your ok, but in a downpour you gets wet!) Wife got it at Foster's coupla years ago. You know how Foster is... he may still have some.

[PoisonSnake]

I use the rubbermaid tubs and have them stoked full of those scent wafers. In years past, that has worked great. But, with that heavy wind this weekend, it was tough not getting smelled. Now, my question is whether or not I am overdoing it with the wafers? I mean, I can smell myself and it is not natural. Also, I Knight & Hale sent me a bunch of spray on fresh earth as they screwed up my order when I ordered the shower gel. Now, the stuff from HS Scents is what I generally use and it pretty harmless. But, if you wanna go blind, get some of this K&H poopoo in your eyes. It burns. It must have some degree of alcohol in it. But, it does not list the ingredients. Also, EtOH would evaporate rather quickly anyhow, so that has me puzzled. Anyway, I do like the leaves and chit and have considered such. But, I don't have enough room in my tubs. I have 2 (one for cold weather and one for warm). I always leave my boots outside, but I did have 2 bucks pick up where I had walked. Of course, they were underneath me almost. I'm just trying to remain stealthy. I cannot take a chance of having the 160 pick me off before I put an arrow in his donkey.

[Limbshot]

I pretty much do the same thing as Hunting170. I put my clothes in a rubbermaid tub, and I put them down in layers, and in between the layers, I put leaves, dirt, branches, (especially cedar). The clothes come out smelling like the woods. I als use the scent free body wash and deodorant. I also use the scent blocking powder that HS scents makes, and I love the stuff. I put it all over my upper body, but really focus on my neck and head. Seems to do a pretty good job of blocking perspiration. Oh, and I do have a Scent Lok suit, and I wear rubber boots. Like Hobie, I don't know if it helps, but since I put all these things together, I have had numerous deer approach me from down wind, and have yet to be winded by a deer that I have seen. Oh, and I also like to get way the heck up in a tree, that helps too!

[hobiecat]

Anybody else ever use those HS fresh earth dryer sheets? I've used'em a few times over the last few years. When I first used them, the clothes smelled so strongly of fresh earth, it almost scared me to wear'em. Now the sheets are so weak, I can't even smell the scent on my clothes. Anyone else notice this?

[hunting170]

I triem em Hobie. I can`t say whether they did or didn`t work. I have started to shy away from the man-made Earth scent products. Who really knows what they smell like to a deer. I think Limbshot just about has it covered.

[hobiecat]

PS, we're gettin to the time of year where you can just start usin a drag line and scent posts to cover your scent.

[PoisonSnake]

Hobie: If I thought for a second you knew what the hell you were talking about I would take your statements into consideration. But, you have shown me no antler to make me think otherwise. So, have a heaping glass of STFU. See 170, that was a question as well. I too think that it may be overkill on these scent wafers that I have layered in my containers. I'm telling you it is so strong that I can smell the stuff come turkey season. PoisonSnake.

[hobiecat]

PS, don't make me break my foot off in your !

[Hoyt4Life]

Uh......uh......What is scent control???

[Two Tall the Neanderthal]

I say no scent is the best. I don't want fresh earth, coon whiz, or any crap on me at all. I wash my hunting clothes and tub them weekly. I do not ever wear the same clothes twice without a washing. I wash the socks, underwear and towl I dry off with. I wash my safty belt, release and boots weekly as well. I line the tub with baking soda to absorb any extra scent. I shower before I walk out the door everytime. I also wear rubber boots and take off my wrist watch so that there is no left over smell. I have a different watch that gets washed with my clothes.

Oh yeah, I spray my bow handle with scent away where your palm always grips it. I don't want old sweat and bacteria stinking there.

I had serious problems getting winded a few years ago, then I started this routine. Now it's very rare that I get busted.