ThermaCell and bear hunting?

[bansheewins]

I am heading to Maine in August on a bear hunt and at times the bugs (Mosquito and fly's)can be bad.  A few of the guys I hunt with use the Thermacells and swear by them.  Being a scent freak they make me nervous and I have never used one and the reason I say this is because if we can smell them than a bear can definitely smell them correct?

I don't want to do anything to decrease my odds therefore never use anything like this.  Does anyone else have any experience with these and bear hunting?  Heck for that sake even deer hunting because I have not even used them locally for deer and others do.  I guess I go by "when in doubt, throw it out" because it cant hurt my odds if I don't put it in the mix.

[metsastaja]

I use them all the time in florida hunting both Deer and hogs. I do play the wind just like I would with out one by my side.

[cleopatra]

I use one for bear hunting in northern Alberta.
The bears I hunt don't seem to notice it at all. I swear by them.

[Orion]

I haven't used a Thermacell for hunting, but plan to use it on my Wisconsin bear hunt this fall if necessary.  If you're hunting over bait, there's already so much human and other scent around that I doubt it will make any difference.

[tradhunter]

You will not have any problem at all with them,use and keep your sanity!!

[ron w]

Just picked one up today.....my wife got it for me for Fathers day. I'm even going to use it stumping. 2 of my shooing buddies had them on while at a 3/D....no bugs in sight....priceless!

[Terry Green]

If they smell the thermacell ...they can smell you.

I remember the Bow Scouts putting out a warning a couple of years after the thermacell came out warning that they attracted bears...if that's the case take TWO!!

[wingnut]

I'm with Terry on this.  If the bear smells the cell he already smelled you and hit the road . ..fast.

I use them in blinds for pigs when the bugs are bad and they work great.

Mike

[drewsbow]

don't seem to bother as far as I have seen.

[ksbowman]

I couldn't bear hunt without one. The bugs in Canada were unbearable last year at Bear Quest. Everyone used them and when it was time to change pads or bottles the bugs moved in droves to bite. Don't go without one and lots of refills!

[killinstuff]

You must not have hunted bears over bait before. They will know you are up in that tree and most won't really care unless the stand your in has been sat in a lot.  Take lots of Deet and a T-Cell and be comfortable.

[Kip]

Bring two if you get on your stand early.Keep one ready to light just before you make the last hour before dark.You will make a lot more movement just before dark with the bugs when the bears are coming in than the themocell will bother them.Kip

[Ray Lyon]

link to Ray\\'s bear  

I killed this bear using a thermacell. Agree with above, they either are gone if they're not accustomed to your scent at the bait site or they came in from other than downwind. It's definately in my bear hunting and turkey hunting equipment list.

[TxAg]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
If they smell the thermacell ...they can smell you.

Reminds me of the old African Capstick hunts....hunted leopard while smoking cigarettes in the blind. If they could smell the smoke, they could smell the human. Actually chain smoked, lighting one cig from another to keep down movement and noise.

[stagetek]

Wouldn't hunt in "buggy" areas without one. Used them a few years ago bear hunting in Ont. No problem.

[Holm-Made]

Most of the time, the bears know your there anyway.  Chad

[Canadian Idle]

Yep, I use it on bear hunts. Got my bears too!! Even though the flies (mosquitos) are sometimes UN-BEARABLE. LOL

[BlkDog]

You can't hide from a bear's nose.  Like Terry said, if they can smell the Thermacell, they will smell you too.  I have heard a bears nose is 10 times better than a blood hound.  You can't hide from that.  The best you can do is play the wind.

[Mongo]

Used it on many a hog hunt with great results.

[fivebears]

I agree with the bears know you are there regardless of your efforts to cover your scent.If you want an enjoyable hunt take two thermacells,you will be glad you did.Good luck!