I used code blue for many seasons but the past two started using code red. Still wondering if I should try something else. What do you use with success?
I use code red. I saw 10 different bucks the first 2 1/2 weeks of November. No shooters! I am interested to hear others responses!
I use tinks in a pinch, but for fresh I use mrs.doepee, it is made by Sam Collora and his wife. Their shop is just 45 mins from me and Sam is a great guy to talk to about hunting. Thinking about trying out one of his "land mines" this year.
I have a couple brands that I use that are straight from deer farms that have worked great over the years.
I use a variety, Golden Estrus, Tinks, Code Red...typically one of those 3 depending on the price and availability. They all seem to work fairly well for me.
I started using Bust A Buck last year when I was down in Illinois and I can honestly say it out performed anything I've used before.
Tinks hot shot doe in heat works great not just as an attractant but as a good cover spray too. I will even use it as a wind check. I used to use natural doe estrus and pee. The problem is it doesn't last as long. meaning shelf life once it is opened. I have tried Grave digger and many of the other ones out there. The natural ones always did really good. BUt I have gotten the same results with the Hot Shot sprays and they last a lot longer.
Special golden estrous but nobody i know of has had good luck with scents or calls down here. My dads friends used Dr. O's years go and shot 2 deer over it but i think they went out of buisness.
I have never had success with deer urine products in the past. In fact, they have worked well getting mature deer to run the opposite direction. This year I have a large selection of Tink's products to try out so hopefully my luck will change.
Spray your boots on your way to the stand I have had deer follow my trail right in. Mathews Chill X NAP Carbon apache HHA optimizer Pine ridge stab CX Maxima Hunters
I rarely ever use any of the stuff but have had Tinks and Golden Estrous work . If you play the wind right they will never smell it but if they do smell it they will smell you also unless you put out a lot of it . With that said , I did go in once knowing that I had the wrong wind direction . I was after a buck that I knew bedded just across my fence and firearms season started the next day (I was desperate) . I threw 2 full bottles of doe estrous out and by the time I could grab my bow the buck was up and running my way . Too bad I missed , that was the only time in the past 12 years that I went without my early season buck .
I don't use doe in heat. I use fresh tarsal gland from a subordinate buck and also use smokeys pre-orbital gland scent to make mock scrapes.....the stuff is awesome!
Good thread. Last year was really my first year experimenting with scents and I can't say I had much luck. I used Tink's Doe in Estrous a lot and was at Gander Mountain looking for something new and met Sharpeyesam - he recommended the Golden Estrous, told me how to apply it, the whole 9 yards. Too bad it was already nearing the end of the season and I didn't have much time to use it like I wanted. I'll defiantly be giving it another shot this year.
I will use many of the scents listed here, like someone mentioned I generall base it on price and what's available. What I prefer though is any fresh tarsal glands. Bucks, does, dominant, subordinate...I don't care. If I can get the tarsals fresh and put them in a ziploc then empty the deers bladder(when possible) into the ziploc that is by far my favorite scent to use. Can't say that I would call it estrous because generally around the rut most of us aren't shooting does we think are hot.
