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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: gringol on June 16, 2013, 11:35:00 AM

Title: wicked wicks?
Post by: gringol on June 16, 2013, 11:35:00 AM: Read an artcile by the Wenzels the other day about making licking branches from rope soaked in smoky's preorbital. Just looking for a bit more info. Anyone tried it? Did it alter deer's patterns at all?
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Justin Falon on June 16, 2013, 11:49:00 AM: It will change the way you hunt big bucks for the rest of your life. Try it.

Buy a bottle and try it. IT WORKS!!!!!

Justin
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Jayrod on June 16, 2013, 12:02:00 PM: Gene has an article out on it in bow hunter magazine... Google wicked wicks by gene Wensel you should find it there ...believe me you will have every deer in the area checking it out
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: gringol on June 16, 2013, 06:40:00 PM: Sounds good. Anyone else?
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Junglecat on June 16, 2013, 07:15:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by pred80:
Gene has an article out on it in bow hunter magazine... Google wicked wicks by gene Wensel you should find it there ...believe me you will have every deer in the area checking it out
Is that issue out yet? Gene told me at the Ky Tradfest it would be in the July issue of Bowhunter and I no longer subscribe to Bowhunter.I am wanting to obtain a copy.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: PRK on June 16, 2013, 07:17:00 PM: Google it, it's online.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Junglecat on June 16, 2013, 07:28:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by PRK:
Google it, it's online.
An article came up but I already had downloaded it back in December.I think the latest one may contain some new information but would have to see it to be sure it is different.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Kamm1004 on June 16, 2013, 09:29:00 PM: I'm curious about this too. How much does it cost to start a couple of these? I'd imagine you'd need a lot of the pre orbital lure and I'd also image it's not cheap.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: dhermon85 on June 16, 2013, 09:35:00 PM: It's like 25 bucks for 2 ounces
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Kamm1004 on June 16, 2013, 09:37:00 PM: Does the article tell how much it will take to soak the rope? I'm looking for it now but I would think you'd need more than 2 ounces
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: dhermon85 on June 16, 2013, 09:40:00 PM: $21.95 for 1.25 ounces is alot of $ to me. I don't doubt it works though. I've read other success stories and testimonials on their website.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Burnsie on June 16, 2013, 10:05:00 PM: I'd like to try it, but on public land, having big pieces of rope hanging from trees would be like a lighted billboard for others to come check things out.
Private land would be great.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: JMG on June 16, 2013, 10:31:00 PM: I just put out my rope sets this weekend. I will start doctoring them up with Smokey's pre-orbital and interdigital gland at the end of next month some time. I'm curious to see what I get on the trail cams. This will be my first year using Smokey's and wicked wicks. :coffee:
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: jonsimoneau on June 16, 2013, 10:34:00 PM: Guys I believe Uncle Gene found that you only need about a drop of lure per rope. 2 oz would go a long way in that scenario.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Gene Wensel on June 16, 2013, 11:14:00 PM: Part 1 of the articles was in the Sept. 2012 issue of Bowhunter. It is reprinted on our brothersofthebow.com website. Part 2 is in the July issue of Bowhunter on newsstands right now. Part 2 concerns my findings after using it all fall and into January. I made some mistakes and covered them in the article. Part 2 is not on our website yet since the article out now hasn't run its course in the magazine. They used over 40 photos in the part 2 piece. I used way more lure than necessary. Now I only put a few drops on the wick end. Hold it vertical downside up while it soaks in. I freshen every ten days to two weeks. It will not draw in deer like a bait, nor keep a buck from crossing a fence nor will it pull a buck tending a doe BUT lone bucks cruising past will almost always stop for a sniff right where I need them to. Well worth the time and effort. I'm not putting any out until July this summer. I went through a lot of trail cam batteries with does, fawns and half grown bucks last year between May and July. After July it will tell you what you have on the menu. Have fun.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Bill Carlsen on June 17, 2013, 08:41:00 AM: /www.brothersofthebow.com/html/wickedwicks.html
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: LC on June 17, 2013, 12:07:00 PM: I read the article on line and just two weeks ago put out two wicked wick set ups. I have a third cam over a natural licking branch that gets hit year around with nothing man made about it. I was surprised to see small bucks started sniffing the wicked wicks the first few nights out! Very pleased with the set up.The second cam card pull was less dramatic but maybe it was just a bad week. Anxious to see how this goes but I'm loving it right now. Still haven't got pics of the two boys I want to see but I'm sure they will turn up. I do know they made it through the season and winter though as I got pics of them sparring still with their head gear on March 27th!
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Justin Falon on June 17, 2013, 06:28:00 PM: What Gene says!!!

I put out 1 wick. Maybe 3 drops on that wick and had one buck after another after another cruising in an area I never thought a big buck would be!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You've got to try it. One bottle of lure will last you a longtime. Don't get carried away.

justin
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Craig on June 17, 2013, 08:55:00 PM: I'm trying it right now, but the bucks are not even looking at them. They just walk around them. What can I be doing wrong.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Junglecat on June 17, 2013, 09:47:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by Gene Wensel:
Part 1 of the articles was in the Sept. 2012 issue of Bowhunter. It is reprinted on our brothersofthebow.com website. Part 2 is in the July issue of Bowhunter on newsstands right now. Part 2 concerns my findings after using it all fall and into January. I made some mistakes and covered them in the article. Part 2 is not on our website yet since the article out now hasn't run its course in the magazine. They used over 40 photos in the part 2 piece. I used way more lure than necessary. Now I only put a few drops on the wick end. Hold it vertical downside up while it soaks in. I freshen every ten days to two weeks. It will not draw in deer like a bait, nor keep a buck from crossing a fence nor will it pull a buck tending a doe BUT lone bucks cruising past will almost always stop for a sniff right where I need them to. Well worth the time and effort. I'm not putting any out until July this summer. I went through a lot of trail cam batteries with does, fawns and half grown bucks last year between May and July. After July it will tell you what you have on the menu. Have fun.
Thanks Gene.I knew you said you had some new information you were gonna include in the latest article.I am gonna pick one up as soon as I can find it on the newsstand.I seem to remember you also said several other species of animals will also check the wicks out to.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: gringol on June 18, 2013, 09:05:00 AM: Here in FL, deer are notoriously hard to pattern. They may travel in the same general direction every day, but the "trail" may be over 100 yds wide and food is literally everywhere. Will these wicks tend to get the deer to focus more travel through that one location?
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: drewsbow on June 18, 2013, 10:04:00 AM: Craig : It might be just a little early yet , might get some action later on.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: gringol on June 19, 2013, 03:55:00 PM: Ttt
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Craig on June 19, 2013, 05:23:00 PM: drewsbow, thanks for the info.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: drewsbow on June 19, 2013, 06:37:00 PM: I usaully start my scrapes in august or september, seems the bucks start to show more interest that time of year. Drew
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: TxAg on June 19, 2013, 07:15:00 PM: This is a cool idea. Might give it a whirl.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Kamm1004 on June 20, 2013, 12:24:00 AM: I agree with drewsbow, many say bucks will use a licking branch and scrape all year and I agree, i've never used wicked wicks but the natural licking branches around here don't really see heavy traffick until september or so. I'd imagine wicked wicks would be the same.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Justin Falon on June 20, 2013, 12:34:00 AM: Like I said, it will forever change the way you hunt big bucks! You gotta try this!!!!

justin
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Craig on June 20, 2013, 07:42:00 AM: We will see.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Kamm1004 on June 20, 2013, 09:59:00 AM: Quote
Originally posted by Justin Falon:
Like I said, it will forever change the way you hunt big bucks! You gotta try this!!!!

justin
Man! I really hope we can get the same results you're getting with them!
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Bobby Urban on June 20, 2013, 10:25:00 AM: Just an FYI from another hunter who has been playing with this stuff for a few years. I have had mixed results on the trail cams but still working on my technique for set up and so on. I will be trying the "wicks" technique beginning next month through the season with the few cameras I have and see what happens.

I really like the idea and how easy it is to freshen up the wick.

Here is my "tip of the day" for those who care:

There is a product on the market called, "Cold-Eeze" that you can get in any drug store. It is some sort of natural spray that from my results seems to limit or shorten cold effects just as described and I use it when flying to keep my immune system in check - well here is the better news!!

The pump spray top fits perfectly onto a bottle of Smokey's lures and makes for a sweet delivery system that is virtually scent free. I was fumbling with surgical gloves and Q-tips to make my mock scrapes and now just a couple pumps and, whola, all good.

Obviously you want to clean the pump up a bit before using but I have not noticed any decline in response to my set-ups since using these due to residual scent from the cold eeze and it makes for a simple method of letting off a controlled amount of scent while heading into the stand or from the tree itself.

Bob Urban
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: PBNJ on June 20, 2013, 02:06:00 PM: Thanks Bob thats a nice little find! Always learning from this place...PBNJ
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Jayrod on June 20, 2013, 09:49:00 PM: thxs i will try that also..thxs for sharing
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: gringol on June 21, 2013, 07:58:00 AM: Just ordered some. They come with an eyedropper. Should be real easy to apply and make it last.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: katie on June 26, 2013, 11:22:00 PM: I found a nice set of 4x4 sheds about 3 feet from my wick that I placed late last season. I left them up but have not freshened them since late winter.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: SEMO_HUNTER on June 27, 2013, 02:32:00 AM: Hmm..............There is no help on saving the deer herd in my area, poachers take most of them. Pickings are slim, but nonetheless I manage to get my meat in the freezer.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: SEMO_HUNTER on June 27, 2013, 02:34:00 AM: The Wenzel Boys have a great spot in Iowa and Illinos, so you cannot excpect the same results in your area. Their deer herd has been managed on private property for the past 20 years or more, now they are reaping the goods of sound management. Kudos to the Wenzel Boys, I wish I was a part of it!
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Kyle Lancaster on June 27, 2013, 01:09:00 PM: I and some close friends have had alot of success with the wicks in VA where we have alot of hunting pressure. The wicks seemed to draw the deer to them and I observed much more intense buck sign over our lease than in years past. Of course, that could be coincidental, but I'm looking forward to start freshening them in July.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: b.glass on June 27, 2013, 04:56:00 PM: I subscribed to "Bowhunter" just so I would get the next installment of the articles asap. It is hard to find the magazine around here for some reason. If they are on the newsstands as we speak I wonder why I haven't gotten my copy. I am getting ready to hang a wick soon. Getting excited!
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Papagallos on June 27, 2013, 07:34:00 PM: I love this thread. I'm definitely going to try it on a property that hasn't been hunted much.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: LC on June 28, 2013, 09:46:00 PM: (http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/LCooper/SUNP0017_zps1f65c17b.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/LCooper/media/SUNP0017_zps1f65c17b.jpg.html)

Went and pulled some cards today over my Wicked Wicks. Evidently deer aren't the only critters to like it! Now keep in mind there is NO BAIT, mineral licks, salt blocks etc at any of my camera locations. I got pics of bucks the first couple nights I put out but in all honesty I'm getting mostly pics of does right now.

Walked up to this cam and thought man this rope is just too high off the ground. Then saw it was wrapped around the tree branch it was tied too! First thought was someone was mussing with me but looked over and my cam was still in place. Picture after my buddy adjusted the height!
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/LCooper/SUNP0019_zps912813de.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/LCooper/media/SUNP0019_zps912813de.jpg.html)
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: gringol on June 29, 2013, 06:27:00 PM: Just set some today in the swamp. We'll see if this works.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: b.glass on June 29, 2013, 07:51:00 PM: I found my July issue. :rolleyes:

Gene says to add a tree branch to the rope about the diameter of a pencil all the way to where it attachs to the tree to stiff up the wick. The deer seem to like the "facials" from that setup better.

I saw a huge buck near my hunting area last night. I hope I can get a pic of him. I have to replace my trail cam first.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: bowless on July 01, 2013, 06:16:00 PM: Wow, can't wait to try this.
Lot's of good info here.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Bobby Urban on July 27, 2013, 07:37:00 AM: I hunt in Mid- Michigan - it is private but not a lot of private and talk about hunting pressure. My wicks are working. Some better than others. This location under the oak is an annual perma scrape that seems to attract a little of everything.

Bucks:
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh205/bushbow/3pack21_zpsfed33ee2.jpg) (http://s257.photobucket.com/user/bushbow/media/3pack21_zpsfed33ee2.jpg.html)
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh205/bushbow/3pack91_zps1e241057.jpg) (http://s257.photobucket.com/user/bushbow/media/3pack91_zps1e241057.jpg.html)
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh205/bushbow/bucksniff3_zpsfd9de513.jpg) (http://s257.photobucket.com/user/bushbow/media/bucksniff3_zpsfd9de513.jpg.html)

Does:
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh205/bushbow/daylightdoe2_zpse6fd49ae.jpg) (http://s257.photobucket.com/user/bushbow/media/daylightdoe2_zpse6fd49ae.jpg.html)

Cows:
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh205/bushbow/Cow_zps5aec037a.jpg) (http://s257.photobucket.com/user/bushbow/media/Cow_zps5aec037a.jpg.html)

and even dirt bikes - argg!
(http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh205/bushbow/Bikes2_zpsb7e8067d.jpg) (http://s257.photobucket.com/user/bushbow/media/Bikes2_zpsb7e8067d.jpg.html)
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: DEATHMASTER on July 27, 2013, 08:18:00 AM: I have a nice picture of the neighbors riding on my PRIVATE land. Just got trails cut and they must have felt we did all the work so they would have a atv trail.
Put blown up pictures in mail box and they or I never said anything. They have stopped "using" my land.
Hard to do wicks and such when you have jerks like that around.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: b.glass on July 27, 2013, 02:15:00 PM: The cow was funny. The dirt biker...not.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Littlejake on July 27, 2013, 06:57:00 PM: One of 6 different bucks from last year.
(http://i.imgur.com/AOzwsk6.jpg)
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: rooster77 on July 31, 2013, 04:28:00 PM: ttt
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: JWarnken on August 07, 2013, 11:40:00 PM: I am in the process of getting at least one of these set up. I started looking for the Gene's latest article too late. it was off of the shelves and I couldn't find a copy at the three libraries that I tried, and no libraries in the state seem to have it. Can someone give me the skinny of what he has learned in the time between his first and second articles? I keep peeking at the Brothers of the Bow website to see if the second article is up yet, and no luck so far. Thanks to B.Glass for sharing the adding the stick trick to this thread. Any additional comments would be greatly appreciated,
Jim
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: katie on August 16, 2013, 11:05:00 PM: Same boat, Did not find the Mag in time.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Craig on August 16, 2013, 11:15:00 PM: I have tried them and not one deer went to the rope. I made my own licking branch and have bucks checking it out all the time. Rope doesn't work in my area. Glade to hear some guys are having good luck with the rope.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: swamper on August 18, 2013, 04:10:00 PM: setting out 2 next week,gonna be interesting
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: katman on August 18, 2013, 08:56:00 PM: Put two out last week, no pics under it just doe and fawn passing by on trail.

How often do you refresh with scent?
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: pcappy08 on August 18, 2013, 09:27:00 PM: I I hoping to hang two to four sets next weekend, fingers crossed and will share any results!
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: NIGEL01 on August 20, 2013, 09:49:00 AM: Wondering if anyone's got a pic of a bear sniffing the rope?
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: lt-m-grow on August 20, 2013, 02:28:00 PM: Put three out last weekend. We will see. Fun trying stuff though.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: green valley gobbler on August 26, 2013, 09:10:00 PM: I've been having pretty good results with the wicked wicks and more importantly have been having fun with it! Been leaving the cams out for AT LEAST 2 weeks and running most cams in video mode tells me just how long human scent can linger in the woods, especially during the hot, SWEATY days of summer. Simply no way to avoid sweating during the heat of summer not to mention the tall vegetation and trying not to touch it is near impossible. I've had some bucks come in and smell where I walked 10 days after I was there so I think the key is to keep the cams out for longer periods of time. Most of the bucks I've gotten have been younger bucks with the exception of a few. I've taken Gene's advice and have now zip-tied the rope down the branch instead of hanging just vertically. Here are a few photos along with a bear having fun with the rope...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5afafPMrWA&feature=youtu.be

(http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae351/MountainShedHunter/bth_PICT0058_zps755af93d.jpg)
(http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae351/MountainShedHunter/bth_CDY_0013_zpsec3788c1.jpg) (http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae351/MountainShedHunter/bth_CDY_0017_zps299a1769.jpg) (http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae351/MountainShedHunter/bth_CDY_0022_zps2675de3c.jpg)
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Butchie on August 26, 2013, 09:20:00 PM: Great video of that bear. Looks like he's having fun!
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: NIGEL01 on August 27, 2013, 06:36:00 AM: Amazing the nose on critters!
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: gringol on August 27, 2013, 07:56:00 AM: I just pulled my cams. Had a set of wicks up for 2 months and no bucks even looked at them. Could be the area, or the god aweful fl heat. Dunno. I'm glad some of you are getting some action.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Herdbull on August 27, 2013, 11:12:00 AM: Now is the best time to start them, not pull them. The bucks should be coming out of velvet very soon. The part 2 of the article Gene wrote should be up on the Brothers of the Bow site soon.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: rooster77 on August 27, 2013, 04:20:00 PM: Part 2 is on there site. I've had bucks checking rope within 5hrs. of hanging them.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: gringol on August 27, 2013, 06:25:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by Herdbull:
Now is the best time to start them, not pull them. The bucks should be coming out of velvet very soon. The part 2 of the article Gene wrote should be up on the Brothers of the Bow site soon.
Didn't pull the ropes, just the cams. Tired of havind 100s of $ out in the woods doing nothing. Might still hunt the ropes, but they didn't even get a second glance from does walking right under them...
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Bobby Urban on August 27, 2013, 06:34:00 PM: Gringol - How high are you hanging them? You said. "walk right under" and if they cannot bump their nose into the wick w/o lifting their head they are set to high per Gene's findings and certainly what I have discovered. I have been getting a lot of attention from bucks and does in high pressure Michigan properties and I am looking forward to what happens after the velvet comes off. I do get plenty of walk by deer that seem oblivious but many, many deer have taken a sniff.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: 2treks on September 01, 2013, 07:59:00 PM: OK, Getting a late start with this I know, but I have a few questions.

Can I pick the spot to hang the rope or should I hang it over a previous scrape area?

I have some good old fashioned rope but it smells like, well, old fashioned rope. Do I need to de-stink it or get some new? Will any kind of absorbent rope work or is one kind what I need to find?

All my trail cams went bye bye so what do you all suggest to monitor the action?

Thanks all
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: 2treks on September 01, 2013, 08:17:00 PM: OK, I just read pt2 and that answered most of my questions. I guess I need some trail cams but I have no clue what is what with them any more.
Any suggestions?
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: gringol on September 02, 2013, 12:13:00 PM: Bobby, I have them about 3ft from the ground, waist high. Part ofthe problem is probably just a lack of deer traffic in general. We don't have anywhere near the deer density you have. The locations I selected could be marginal as well. I had deer on camera about every 3 or 4 days before I pulled the cams. Anyway, they haven't been great for me. I'll try again next year. I've only been hunting this are for 2 years, so I'm still figuring it out.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: katie on September 11, 2013, 11:47:00 AM: I put a wick up along a path I have seen this guy on. (Hard to see the wick in the pic, behind him.) Looks to be on the same schedule this year. I put the kids on the bus at 7 so he is always 15 minutes ahead of me. Just glad to see his face again this season!
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb117/katiejgilbert/trail%20camera/PRMS0058.jpg) (http://s205.photobucket.com/user/katiejgilbert/media/trail%20camera/PRMS0058.jpg.html)
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb117/katiejgilbert/trail%20camera/PRMS0056.jpg) (http://s205.photobucket.com/user/katiejgilbert/media/trail%20camera/PRMS0056.jpg.html)
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: NIGEL01 on September 11, 2013, 09:47:00 PM: Going out to check my wicks this weekend, but this time with a bow in hand and a tag in my pocket!!!!
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Gene Wensel on September 11, 2013, 11:04:00 PM: All our deer activity around here is way down and has been for over a month with this heat. I tend to think most deer are bedded about 90% of the time in the high temps, even at night. They are definitely not moving far. I even had a couple cameras on waterholes with minimal activity. I'm assuming they are getting enough moisture from morning dew. I'm only getting 10% of the photos I was getting last year at this time. The velvet is being shed daily. With that being said and our forcast predicting cooler temps and a good chance of rain, I expect to see much more deer activity within a week. Its about time. I have in fact had some really nice bucks on the wicks so far, just not as many. Things will pick up.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Zbone on September 12, 2013, 04:42:00 PM: Have attached sections of wild grape vines to higher hanging limbs but never tried them with lures or mock scrapes.

If in the right place bucks will take it over natural scrapes where the licking branch/hanging limb got tore up, (wore out so to speak) if in a great place and didn't want to loose the spot. Used to cut branches to replace the tore up broken hanging limbs until trying the wild grape vines which they naturally like year round as licking branches. Have actually cut wild vines in strategic places hoping deer would take it over.

The rope is an interesting concept and have been meaning to acquire some and lure and give it a try, thanx for sharing...

The flexibility of the rope seems interesting to many critters from folks camshots, (that bear video is cool) but to acquire rigidity, or change it up with a grape vine and maybe tie a knot of the cotton clothes line at the bottom for the lure wick... Just a thought... Wild vines are very abundant in my area and cheaper than heavy thick rope and killing a vine may save a tree...80)
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: b.glass on September 12, 2013, 06:03:00 PM: I've had mine out for several weeks now. The first 2-3 times I checked the camera and freshened the wick I used the eye dropper method. Deer are coming by but paying no attention to the wick.

So twice now (freshened again just yesterday) I dipped the tassel in the lure. After the first dousing still no attention.

Still, I have a stand in a tree about 10 yards from the wick and should get a shot.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: b.glass on September 12, 2013, 06:06:00 PM: (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/BonaGlass/442_zps20315487.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BonaGlass/media/442_zps20315487.jpg.html)

The wick is just about 2 ft in front of this buck. It was as close as he got.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: b.glass on September 12, 2013, 06:09:00 PM: I had to put in a T-post and rig a piece of rebar to it to hang the rope. I did it this way because I wanted a wick where I already had a tree stand set up. There wasn't a suitable branch to hang it otherwise.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: b.glass on September 12, 2013, 06:14:00 PM: (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/BonaGlass/054_zps2381b317.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BonaGlass/media/054_zps2381b317.jpg.html)

I have pics of 5-6 different bucks but not the big guy I have seen out there whom I have named Rudy, short for Rudolph, as in Valentino. He's perty.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Kevin Hansen on September 13, 2013, 09:15:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by Justin Falon:
It will change the way you hunt big bucks for the rest of your life. Try it.

Buy a bottle and try it. IT WORKS!!!!!

Justin
Hello, Justin.
Sounds to me like you have tried the wicks. Just curious what diameter rope you used?
Thanks.
Kevin
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Bobby Urban on October 02, 2013, 04:41:00 PM: Little update from opener. I was in my stand and a little buck came in following a doe. he walked right up to the wick and took a sniff presenting a point blank shot. I didn't shoot but it worked just a described and I had not refreshed that wick in over a month.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: NIGEL01 on October 02, 2013, 07:12:00 PM: I hung one over a salt lick, big bucks, little bucks, does, and fawns. So far one fawn worked it over since the 1st of Sept.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: bamboo on October 02, 2013, 08:09:00 PM: check out this action!!
this was the same afternoon we put the wick out!!
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj319/kittitiny/PICT1333.jpg) (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/kittitiny/media/PICT1333.jpg.html)
the this lil' guy showed up
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj319/kittitiny/PICT1334.jpg) (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/kittitiny/media/PICT1334.jpg.html)
then this guy--
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj319/kittitiny/PICT1345.jpg) (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/kittitiny/media/PICT1345.jpg.html)
there are numerous pictures of does w/fawns
most noticed the rope and a real mature looking doe rubbed it
(http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj319/kittitiny/PICT1406.jpg) (http://s275.photobucket.com/user/kittitiny/media/PICT1406.jpg.html)
this action was all the first week--i'm hooked
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: b.glass on October 03, 2013, 09:12:00 AM: I wonder why my deer are pretty much ignoring the wick. I have no pics of anything actually putting it's nose on it.

The buck in the pic above might be kinda sniffing in it's direction but that's about as good as it gets.

I haven't checked it in over a week because I want to hunt the stand near it soon.

I was just putting a dropper full of scent on it the first three or so times I refreshed it. The last couple of times I doused it with no change in it's use.

I had the rope for several months hanging outside incase there was scent from handling on it and I only handled it with gloves on and transported it in a plastic bag.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: b.glass on October 03, 2013, 09:18:00 AM: I didn't have a proper tree limb to hang it from where I have a treestand in place so I drove a T-post in the ground and rigged up a length of rebar to the post. Do you all think that makes any difference?

I should have a limb on the other side of my stand that I could hang a wick from. It would make for a more difficult shot though.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: southpawshooter on October 03, 2013, 10:19:00 AM: The rope in Bamboo's pictures was not handled with much extra care. We bought the rope same day, it smelled oily out of the package so Mike's son dragged it on the forest floor from the truck to the site. That helped descent it slightly, but there was still an oil smell. No rubber gloves, just bare hands. We loaded the rope up with 10-12 drops of scent. I think the key is to put it in a place that has deer going through already. You're not trying to attract a deer to somewhere they don't normally go, just get their attention.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: bamboo on October 03, 2013, 10:39:00 AM: maybe you need a bear cub to swing from it first!
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: b.glass on October 03, 2013, 10:43:00 AM: These deer coming through are paying no attention to the wick. They are coming through incidentally and paying no attention to it.

Note the picture at the top of this page. This is the closest any of the deer, in the pics that I have, have come to the wick.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: b.glass on October 03, 2013, 10:53:00 AM: (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/BonaGlass/058_zps363157c5.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BonaGlass/media/058_zps363157c5.jpg.html)

Another example.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: b.glass on October 03, 2013, 11:02:00 AM: (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/BonaGlass/376_zps3573b5f0.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BonaGlass/media/376_zps3573b5f0.jpg.html)

And another. They aren't exactly paying "no" attention, but nothing like other peoples pictures show.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: b.glass on October 03, 2013, 11:38:00 AM: (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v210/BonaGlass/377_zpsef39ca94.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BonaGlass/media/377_zpsef39ca94.jpg.html)

The very next photo in the series.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: TraditionalGuy on October 03, 2013, 12:59:00 PM: Is this stuff geared toward white tails only? Anyone try it on west coast black tails? It could also be because the archery seasons are so hot, but I have the toughest time getting bucks to do just about anything other than kicking them out of bed.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: b.glass on October 03, 2013, 02:01:00 PM: People have pics of bears, (see above), mink, raccoon, etc checking out the wicks. I don't see why other of the deer family wouldn't check it out also.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: TraditionalGuy on October 03, 2013, 04:12:00 PM: If you've ever hunted blacktail, you wouldn't ask that question. Those boys are sneakier and harder to kill than any other deer out there. Except perhaps during the rut, which you can't hunt in California save for the occasional lucky draw. It might also count as bait, which is also illegal in California, but I'm not too sure on that matter.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: b.glass on October 03, 2013, 05:11:00 PM: The scent is not suppose to draw deer to it. It just captures their attention if they happen to be walking by.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: southernwoody on October 04, 2013, 05:27:00 PM: are you guys buying the buck or doe one? i'm wanting to try a couple of these in my area just not sure which one to choose. I see the advantages of both.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: bamboo on October 04, 2013, 06:28:00 PM: I only see one pre orbital lure---
I think this is it
http://smokeysdeerlure.com/preorbital.html
southpawshooter and I will be pulling cards
tomorrow-hope ther's more to post--been real hot though......
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: southernwoody on October 04, 2013, 10:17:00 PM: if you scroll down on that page it will give you a type option for buck or doe. just wondering what would be the best option. I've got 10 bucks coming to one stand and a few does but mainly at night or really early morning hoping that maybe I can give them another incentive to come out. also try to catch a few cruisers from some other areas on my land.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Bobby Urban on October 05, 2013, 01:27:00 PM: I was in the stand opening morning with a wick out front that had not been "refreshed" in over a month and I only put a couple drops on the rope when I do refresh it. Had a forkie walk right up to it and stick his nose on the wick just like advertised - thank you Gene. He got a pass but was posed perfectly for me. Not sure why it is not working for others but I would try axing the rebar set up and hang it from a tree branch.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: East Coast archer on October 15, 2013, 02:29:00 PM: I decided to try a little twist on this and had asked Gene his opinion. I wanted to try zip tying a Qtip to a branch and applying the smokey's preorbital to it after making a fake scrap below it , since Gene mentions adding tension to the rope with a thin stick. Well I went out on 10/05 and did this in an area that I know is a doe staging area just inside the woods near an inside field corner. I set a trail cam up after I had attached a Qtip to a branch that was approx. 32" high and went and pulled the SD card this afternoon. Well I got approx. 70 pics of does and button bucks coming straight to the Qtip and fake scrape smelling it, some licking it and some rubbing against it (the Qtip). Freshened the Qtip and plugged a new card in. Now I just need a few good bucks to visit.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Beto on October 20, 2013, 12:43:00 PM: Quote
Originally posted by East Coast archer:
.... wanted to try zip tying a Qtip to a branch and applying the smokey's preorbital to it ...Now I just need a few good bucks to visit.
Sounds likes nice and easy way to use them. So then, what is the 'science' behind using the rope?

I just got some and getting ready to use them, the QTip methods sounds much less hassle free to me, but don't know if I will be loosing any advantage from having the rope.
Beto
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Roy from Pa on October 20, 2013, 01:31:00 PM: Mine has been out two weeks now and this is what I've seen so far.

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f165/ROY-CHRIS/MDGC0004-1.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/ROY-CHRIS/media/MDGC0004-1.jpg.html)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f165/ROY-CHRIS/MDGC0008a.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/ROY-CHRIS/media/MDGC0008a.jpg.html)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f165/ROY-CHRIS/MDGC0006.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/ROY-CHRIS/media/MDGC0006.jpg.html)

(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f165/ROY-CHRIS/MDGC0004.jpg) (http://s47.photobucket.com/user/ROY-CHRIS/media/MDGC0004.jpg.html)
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: East Coast archer on October 20, 2013, 06:47:00 PM: Den,
Going to pull the second card tomorrow and will let you all know how it's doing. Only thing I can think of is the rope will hold more scent, possibly longer, but the Qtip seemed easier.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: East Coast archer on October 26, 2013, 10:50:00 AM: Finally got to freshen the Qtip and pull the card. 84 pics in 11 days. Mostly doe and 4 lesser bucks until last night, then a decent 8 point was checking it out at 7:10pm. Going to put a new card back in the camera this afternoon. It definitely attracts 'em and I might keep it freshened the whole season with a trail cam to see how they react all season long. Might just have to take a doe from the spot after I fill my buck tag or after the rut!
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Terry Green on October 15, 2017, 04:23:00 PM: :campfire:
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: hnt2mch on October 24, 2017, 03:48:00 AM: thanks for pulling this up terry now I got something else to play with :D
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Terry Green on September 26, 2018, 06:37:01 PM: :campfire:
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: TIM B on May 15, 2019, 09:23:37 AM: Doing a little research of my own after watching the new OUT AND ABOUT vid....thought some others may enjoy as well.....
Tim B
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Friend on May 20, 2019, 03:54:01 PM: Enjoyed much success using wicked wicks last season.

Installed this morning the 3rd of five to six wicked wick sets...will also be utilizing three to four T-post scrapes and two horizontal rub sets.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: TIM B on June 25, 2019, 01:45:41 PM: Up for gator1
Tim B
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Gator1 on June 25, 2019, 05:26:04 PM: Great info. Thank you for bringing this TTT
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: drewsbow on June 30, 2019, 08:34:23 AM: Just moved and refreshed mine yesterday and set cameras
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: LC on June 30, 2019, 03:36:37 PM: The first year years ago I tried the Smokey's Pre Orbital with great success. Then the next year less and less. Like someone mentioned earlier I don't think your going to pull deer into it to some where they don't want to go, but more of having in a yearly scraped area that deer constantly visit or pass as your just trying to get good pics of a static object. But for whatever reason it didn't work FOR me as well as it did when I first bought some. The price just kept getting higher.

With all that said I don't use it anymore. I buy the tiny hard tac candy intense flavor oil. Usually find it our local pharmacy I have no clue why they stock it in the pharmacy when you think it would be in the grocery cooking section. I heat up some Vaseline in bowl in the microwave just to the point I can dump in a whole bottle of one ounce of the flavoring oil and mix it up good. As it cools it becomes tacky again. I put it a old 35mm film canister. Showing my age here.

Now when I approach camera location, I pick up a small stick before arriving. I use the stick to apply to a low hanging branch. It lasts very well in rain etc and usually they take it over and I only touch it up once in awhile. I've had great luck with everything from butterscotch, maple, cherry to vanilla. Your mileage may vary.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Judd on July 01, 2019, 02:36:52 PM: LC-
Approx. how much Vaseline do you use and do you use the 1 dram or 1 ounce bottles.
Thanks.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: amicus on July 01, 2019, 02:45:48 PM: I tried it as well with out much luck. I had a small buck sniff it once and it spooked him. Not sure if put to much or maybe he smelled me. Might give it another try just to see what happens.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: LC on July 01, 2019, 04:00:52 PM: Judd, I don't measure but in a 35mm film canister I probably only have it filled up about 1/4th way. The hard tact candy flavored oil is extremely concentrated and comes in tiny 1 oz bottles. I use the entire 1 oz. This stuff lasts a LONG time and a little goes along way. I actually have so good luck with it I toyed with the idea of coming up with like a lip stick like container to apply and market it. BUT with little research I found several companies that already beat me to it! lol But I don't know how well there product works I just know my homebrew works great. Like I said I've used everything from butterscotch, cherry, maple to vanilla with great results.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Tom1958 on July 02, 2019, 08:58:22 PM: I've had pretty good luck transporting a real licking branch to a more desired location. Clip off a small section of an authentic scrape branch and zip tie it to a new branch in the location you want.
You are transporting the real deal. It has every odor on it that a real branch has because it IS the real thing.
Once bucks discover it, they will start to use it and it is no longer a mock scrape, it's now a real scrape.
I have not experimented with tying a real lick branch to a rope, but it's worth trying. It might be just the thing to get a finicky buck to accept it. Once they start using it because of the real buck odors, they will most likely continue utilizing it as just the rope. Transporting a clipped licking branch is a short term deal IME. The clipped branch tends to not be super durable and it gets torn down. But at that point, the anchor branch (or rope) will have become the new branch.
Obviously, handle the clipped branch with rubber gloves. I try to choose a branch to clip from the same property so I don't have to transport it in a vehicle. Not sure if it matters, but I really try to not contaminate it. I have transported them in garbage bags.
I sometimes take a little sample of scrape dirt, too.
Basically, I transport a scrape from a useless location to a desired location.
Once they use it, it then becomes the real thing.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: jonwilson on October 25, 2021, 01:46:20 PM: :campfire:

Just wanted to tease a little... This post was mentioned in our latest podcast episode with Terry Green (coming out tomorrow, October 25, 2021)! So, I had to come here and check it out. Anybody still using this stuff?!
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Tom1958 on October 25, 2021, 05:01:12 PM: Quote from: jonwilson on October 25, 2021, 01:46:20 PM
:campfire:

Just wanted to tease a little... This post was mentioned in our latest podcast episode with Terry Green (coming out tomorrow, October 25, 2021)! So, I had to come here and check it out. Anybody still using this stuff?!

Do you have a link to the podcast?
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Jim Jackson on November 01, 2021, 06:01:23 PM: Direct Link: https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/20946119
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: charles m on November 01, 2021, 06:20:21 PM: If used as intended, in the right local, they work flawlessly. If they don't work for you, learn a little more as you are doing something wrong.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Homey88 on November 02, 2021, 08:57:14 PM: Treated this branch with Smokey’s preorbital and hung a camera. I going to hunt this scrape all day Saturday. Hope he slips up!
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: BDann on September 09, 2022, 11:53:52 AM: Time to get the mock scrapes going!
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: MnFn on September 09, 2022, 12:03:22 PM: One thing I found was to secure the rope. I had one on private land (my cousins land) and it kept getting torn torn down. It was not in an obvious place so I am pretty sure it wasn’t someone messing with it.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: BDann on September 09, 2022, 12:09:14 PM: I use zip ties to secure the rope. On this one I also had to put a different branch on the tree to bring it down low enough.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: beemann on September 12, 2022, 06:50:57 PM: I just tie a piece of paracord on a branch and dip it in the bottle. Works great. Bottle lasts along time.... [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: BDann on September 12, 2022, 08:18:41 PM: Quote from: beemann on September 12, 2022, 06:50:57 PM
I just tie a piece of paracord on a branch and dip it in the bottle. Works great. Bottle lasts along time....

I’ll have to try that next time I set one up.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Sawpilot 75 on September 13, 2022, 08:02:42 AM: It’s a great way to inventory a given area over time and learn the annual haunts of a old buck if he has a social personality. Some do and some do not scrape, either way it’s fun if you like Whitetail biology type learnings.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Friend on September 15, 2022, 08:08:19 PM: Just opened a new bottle of Wicked Wicks Compound this morning. Lost it on the way from one location to another that was separated by a half mile. Retraced my track with no luck. Was planning to doctor six of 10 vine scrapes. How frustrating.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Terry Green on September 15, 2022, 08:16:52 PM: Great read guys.... this is what Tradgang is about!!! Not piddly soap opera crap.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: beemann on September 17, 2022, 12:39:06 AM: [ You are not allowed to view attachments ] [ You are not allowed to view attachments ] Even the little guys get in on the action.....
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: beemann on September 17, 2022, 12:40:14 AM: [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Sawpilot 75 on September 26, 2022, 04:47:59 AM: This is a primary scrape I hung a rope on a few seasons ago and started with Pre- Orbital. I just doctor it once in the summer and they use it year round. I typically get 10 different bucks each fall using it. Beech trees seem to be poplar in my area.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: MnFn on September 26, 2022, 09:25:22 AM: Bryan,
I love that ND “tree”. I smile every time I see it.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: huckbuck on September 26, 2022, 12:27:32 PM: Smokey's Pre-Orbital works great to get locals to pose....just wish they would show up during my hunting hours :readit:
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: Friend on September 26, 2022, 01:11:21 PM: A new bottle of Wicked Wicks to be delivered tomorrow.
Title: Re: wicked wicks?
Post by: beemann on September 29, 2022, 07:37:35 PM: Just for you Gary one on a real tree :bigsmyl: [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]