Scent free or use a cover scent out west?

[mnbearbaiter]

I know elk have excellent noses and with the swirling wind in the mountains of the west would it be wise to use a cover scent or just scent away spray, or nothing at all? I came across a product Pete Rickards makes called Elk Cover, smells like elk and is interesting since i often use Deer Dander when deer hunting and it seems to have a calming effect on deer, ive even had em follow my boot prints! Im picky on having the wind in my face, but if a cover scent could buy me a tad extra time it may help me tag out! Any ideas or experiences welcome please!

[jhg]

I go scent free...

BUT!

I pop spruce blisters and put the goo on my boot soles, rub bark onto my pants etc as the conditions seem to warrant. Smell local and fill your tag!
First, "I" don't smell like anything. The local scents on clothes just help me blend in.

Not a big fan of cover scents "designed" someplace else by someone else. This is a bias- I have no experience that manufactured scents don't work or are inferior to whats found in the woods as you go along.

Joshua

[Whip]

My opinion is forget the cover scents and just become a slave to the wind.  Mountain hunting involves a lot of physical exertion, and if you are anything like me, you will sweat, and will ultimately stink.  If an elk gets the wind the game is over and I don't believe that a cover scent is going to make a difference.

[K.S.TRAPPER]

I use the anti-bacteria body soap and deodorant and it helps but like Whip said your going to sweat no matter while climbing them mountains.The anti-bacteria just give me a extra day or two of less funky smell in my close.

I don't no were your going to be hunting but smelling like a elk in lion and bear country makes me nervous  :eek:  I've had lions track me more than once and never new they were there till I turned around heading back and saw there tracks over the top of mine even while we were in pairs.

Good luck on your hunt  :D  

Tracy

[Shedrock]

Forget the scents and use the wind. An animal can smell you right through the cover scent.

Have a good trip

Tracy

[twitchstick]

Whip really has this one,"a slave to the wind". Keep yourself clean as much as possible but there is not much you can do. If your hunting area that allows you to stand hunt really watch your trail you walk in on I have had them smell me where I have walked. Use your thermals and know how they work.

[mnbearbaiter]

Thats bout what i figured i'd get for a response:) I really cant say either that a scent/cover scent has been the reason ive ever had success(except bear hunting)! The Deer Dander by the Fitzgeralds does work though! I have been on the ground in a natural blind and had a swirly wind comin off the river behind me and deer were comin through all day! Maybe ill just use the local things like pine needles, elk dung at a wallow and maybe get a little on the boots! Thanks!

[SteveB]

There is a huge difference between reduced scent, "cover" scent and attractant scents (like Deer Dander, vanilla, urine, etc). Most of our prey have noses capable of detecting several different oders at the same time. Adding another scent (covering attempt) simply means they still smell you AND the added scent.

Reducing scent may help.
Attractants may help draw or stop the prey for a shot.
Attempting to cover your scent it only fools humans.

[mnbearbaiter]

Well said! Im just prying a bit to see if people here ever use any of these scents! Im not a big fan of scents either, im more of the wear rubber boots and hunt with the wind in your face fair chase type of hunter. The Deer Dander was given to me and was an interesting concept as its supposed to smell like a deer and it acts like more of a cover scent! What about the stuff like chlorophyll tablets to reduce smell of a person, or the Sportsmans Edge multi vitamins! G. Fred Asbell did a article on the chlorophyll a while back and the Sportsmans Edge built on it! Anyone use em?

[helo]

Face first into the wind I agree ! A solar shower helps me feel clean and they are cheap. Any chance I get while I am out in the middle of nowhere to freshen up is a good day.

[GMMAT]

I plan on "smoking up" while I'm there.....and playing the wind, religiously.

[Maxximusgrind]

Hey they have some pine scented gum that tastes like your chewing a pinecone too.Its fun to give the kids.
 I tend to agree that it wont affect too much,But if it makes you feel better?Or if your camping for a long time with a bunch of other guys,you might end up wanting to hose one of them down with some coverscent   :eek:

[FerretWYO]

Originally posted by Whip:
My opinion is forget the cover scents and just become a slave to the wind.

The only way.

You can manage your sent but, the elk and deer know better no matter what you do.

[elknut1]

100% agreement with Whip & Ferret! Respect the power of the wind & thermals & never push the envelop whether you have scent lok clothes or sprays on, you will be busted. Better to back-off & try a different time frame or wait until the thermals change!

  ElkNut1

[SteveB]

Originally posted by GMMAT:
I plan on "smoking up" while I'm there.....and playing the wind, religiously.

Smoking up might make the time pass, but be careful with the noise of the munchies bags.  

[Ground Hunter]

Hunt the wind.  H