Not worrying 'bout scent control?

[sidebuster]

None of this high tech scent stuff was around in the 20's up to the 50's.  Yet many a deer were harvested.

Only thing I recommend is fresh clothes and a shower before going out.

[sidebuster]

None of this high tech scent stuff was around in the 20's up to the 50's.  Yet many a deer were harvested.

Only thing I recommend is fresh clothes and a shower before going out.

[LC]

You folks that only hunt the wind better never ever hunt in WV! If you don't like the way the wind is blowing now just wait five minutes! You either learn how to beat the deer's nose or sit at home on the couch!

On top of that we have the most wariest hardest hunted whitetails that inhabit North America. Fawns are born with their skulls 15 degrees above normal and taught to scan trees! Seriously if I only hunted when the wind is right I'd never hunt here. Got to learn to beat their noses WITH WIND BLOWN SCENT! It can be done. period.

[DaveT1963]

Originally posted by sidebuster:
None of this high tech scent stuff was around in the 20's up to the 50's.  Yet many a deer were harvested.

Only thing I recommend is fresh clothes and a shower before going out.

Treestands weren't around either... nor so many hunters.   Apples and oranges.

Im sticking with my scent control efforts because I know it works and yes I can and do still play the wind

[Randy Koleno]

I do the scent-free shower and wash thing, hang my clothes outside, and maybe buy bottle of spray stuff every 2-3 years. I used to be more hard-core about scent, and other things, than I am now.

 In central Pa., If I would change locations every time the wind shifted, I would end up sweaty, dizzy, and would probably go home.

 Now, I just do as much scent-prep as I feel like doing that day, hunt where I think I have a chance, and gladly accept what happens.

[sidebuster]

I get more from harvesting a deer using a primitive self bow without using any of the high tech items available today. No scent control other than wind, no calls, no fancy scent control clothes, etc etc.

To me I want to have as little advantage on the  deer than he has on me.  His advantage is his sight, nose and ears.  I have the same but his are more acute.  I want to be on even ground as possible to the deer.  To me it's who can out smart the other.  Sometimes I win and sometimes the deer wins.  If he outsmarts me then I praise him for winning and I feel just as good for him had I won

[Knawbone]

Sidebuster, I ride both sides of that fence, primitive and traditional, but when you hunt where the winds are fickle beating a deers nose is essential or you might as well stay home. Here in the NE such as WV, Pennsylvania,NY,the topography calls for using your head... and keeping it covered. Yes, scent control ( and I'm not talking carbon clothing) takes time and a little work, but to me it's required to harvest the mature deer I seek. And scent control is and can be completely primitive as well. Hunters have been using scent control methods for centuries!

[hickstick]

me and my stinky self had another buck in downwind, while I was drinking coffee in my stand.  lol.  

unfortunately, I 'passed him up - wide' after puttin my thermos lid down on the stand seat so I could take the shot. lol

you guys keep stressing about your scent....I'll keep missin deer.  

[Bowwild]

Over the years I've approached scent control many different ways.

I'm primarily a morning hunter. I start with a shower, clean clothes (not washed with scented softners), and dress light to avoid sweating as I go in.

Where I hunt the deer are eating natural browse, forbs and grasses most of the time. They can bed almost any direction from where I choose to put my stands -- I can't predict it.

I've hunted crop lands in Indiana and it is nice to know the deer are coming from the woods in the PM and from the fields in the AM. Wind direction makes more sense too me there.

The biggest thing I've noticed over the years is the trail I leave when I walk in (rubber boots or leather with rubber soles -- doesn't matter). I've had deer ignore my walk in and others stop cold a step from my path. The biggest buck I've seen this year (maybe the biggest I've ever seen with a recurve in hand) did just that (stopped at my path) about 9 minutes before shooting time (6 yards away). He paused about 3 minutes and slowly reversed his course. He didn't leave in a hurry but he didn't like that I had walked where he was headed.

[DaveT1963]

Originally posted by hickstick:
me and my stinky self had another buck in downwind, while I was drinking coffee in my stand.  lol.  

unfortunately, I 'passed him up - wide' after puttin my thermos lid down on the stand seat so I could take the shot. lol

you guys keep stressing about your scent....I'll keep missin deer.      

Don't stress... not missing much these days either

[hickstick]

Hey DaveT...just noticed you are from Texas...I remember several conversations with Mike Westvang and Rusty 'Trashwood' Craine back in the day where they said your Texas deer are hyper spooky and constantly 'on edge'.   if so, maybe your on the right track with the control....

for some reason, the deer up here in the north aren't nearly as high strung. I've never hunted down there so I can't say myself....not tryin to give you a hard time...just havin some fun.  okay?

and FWIW...the buck today was my first miss in many years.  

[DaveT1963]

These Texas public land deer are way more spooky then the montana bucks to use to chase.  I got picked of Sunday in a tree with foliage at 22 feet up. ...  they get hammered pretty hard.

I figured by your comments you were having some fun.

Btw I never miss. ... at least not publicly  

[beaunaro]

Dave T1963

Just curious...

Which Scent control company do you work for?

Just kidding.      

I'm sure body chemistry varies a lot between individuals. I know that for some guys, the scent regime and products work to help reduce their scent.


For some guys it's always part of their routine and for others, well....everybody is different.

And all deer are different.

I believe that if you believe it helps....then it helps.

One interesting bit of research was recently read by me from Field and Stream.

Over the years, they would place a human in a wooden box and see if a trained drug sniffing dog could find him, then record how long it took.

No scent protection....19 seconds.

Scent free soap bath, full scent regimen with special treatments on clothing, etc....17 seconds

Ozonics unit placed in box....50 seconds.

Their summary is that the Ozonics is the first product they have tested so far that made a noticeable time difference....maybe enough extra time to pull back the string and make the shot.

Look it up on line, because i may not have all the facts straight.

I know a lot of guys use the suits and sprays and spend the time and money on all the products.

I'm not saying it doesn't help.

I'm just saying that Field and Stream says it doesn't work as well as Ozonics.

Maybe if it was you in the box, Dave, the results could have been different. Maybe your regime works and maybe you are one of the lucky guys whose body chemistry makes you cleaner smelling than other guys. Who knows?

I'm with you though...if it works for you, I surely would not change a thing.

That being said, I can see how Ozonics might work in a box,but as far as in a tree stand...that seems far fetched.

We are all pretty sure a steady wind is best but one can't always get that perfect condition.

That's just my opinion and after all, not being a deer, I can't say for sure which of you guys I will tolerate and for how long.

[DaveT1963]

Scent control doesn't just mean scent clothing.   And like I said above my biggest concern is not if a dog or deer can find oursmell me.... it's about not leaving scent for deer to know I'm hunting them after I leave. ... especially entry and exit routes.   I just am keeping an open mind on carbon sits now that they have actually been scientifically tested and proven to REDUCE scent

[huntnmuleys]

play the wind for me.  in years past ive used that scent killer spray, don't know if it helps or not...

[DaveT1963]

IMHO - hunting the wind is just very wise hunting practice.  You will more then likely increase success if you keep the wind blowing from game to you.

However, that has really nothing to do with scent control.  IMHO - scent control is reducing the actual scent contimination in an area while youa re hunting and long after you leave.  Every hunter, no matter what they do, will at times get busted while hunting.... sorry it happens.  But you can reduce the amount of scent you are giving off and leaving behind.  The thing a large number of hunters never fully realize or appreciate is that they are gettign busted far more times long after the hunt is over then they are while sitting on a stand.  Deer remain in the area 24/7 and the more scent you keep off the ground, off trees, off their normal travel patterns the more longer you will remian undetected.  Sure, we can pay no attention to it at all and still kill deer - but I can honestly state my success has increased many times over as I became more aware of where I was/am leaving scent.  For instance, it is hot as crap in Texas where I hunt primarily - and htus I hate wearing gloves and a facemask that restricts my breath.  However, I had too many trail camera picks of older class deer (bucks and does) walking to my tree and sniffing the steps I had climbed two ro three days ago.

I am not advertising for any product.  I did mention that i was going to re-test carbon clothing only from Scent Lok because there was significant testing and proof that it does actually cut down on scent molecules that are released.  But that is only one small aspect of scent control.  Gloves, freshly washed rubber boots, well thought out strategy on entrance and exit to stands, reduce breath vapor, covering the top of your head, wearing gloves.... all in themselves very subtle, minot changes... but synergistically, cobined togehter they can make the difference in a buck becoming aware that he is being hutned or not.  It works for me and I really don't feel it is too much work or trouble - I just practice a routine until it gets to be habit.  Now I will have to add in putting on the scent lok base layers.  I take them out of the tub, put them on and then dress as normal.  When I am done hunting, I take off my hunting clothes and put them in tub to be washed and my scent lok will go into a seperate tub until the next hunt.  Not usre what is so hard about that?

[beaunaro]

Thanks for allowing me to rib you a little.
A little harmless humor.

I agree completely about what you are saying re: keeping the deer from knowing you have been there.

As you say, it's not just the scent while in the stand or blind, but the trail going in and out, the tree steps, all of it.
After all, we are intruders to their home.
Some deer accept a certain amount of human scent, but more than likely the big, old smart ones will not.

A lot of guys tell me that the trophy bucks will not accept even the black out cameras...ie: one photo and then it's over...never to be seen for a good long period.

Also, I know some guys that practice all that you suggest but then go change cameras with no scent protection or gloves, anything. Not good.

Your posts are good tips on attempting to be invisible.

Deer and other critters live by their noses for sure.

Some guys are going to embrace scent control tactics to the nth degree, some will do part of it...maybe due to budget or their method working where and how they hunt?? No doubt that it all helps.

Thanks for your observations and ideas.

Great thread!