Most of my hunting is done on small to medium sized tracts in the transition regions between suburban and rural areas in NE Ohio. Been thinking about scent control lately. In situations where I'm hunting 300 yards or less from homes and in areas where people may walk through a couple times a week, do you think scent control is more or less important? I'm especially thinking about the walk in and out. I feel like I can probably get away with walking upwind of bedding areas on my way to a stand since they're used to human scent in the area. Anyone else in similar situations? Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
I have some stands on small parcel seriously nearly within bow range of a barn or two (like barns that see weekly use)....that said the deer learn very quickly where human scent should be. Just scent in the air doesn't seem to alarm them much at all...however ground transfer scent still sends mature ones on edge or to the hills at times. So yes you can get away with more...however unless your trails see enough human traffic that they are conditioned to it - it is still something to be concerned with.
You can get away with a lil more. Personally I wouldn't take a chance of being busted by a Nanny or good buck just because I didn't want to be scent free. Just because they're used to human scent doesn't mean they won't bolt at the worst time or slightly avoid your area because they know you're there. They may tolerate the smell, doesn't mean they completely trust it.
Definitely still doing the scent control thing, I was just thinking about it as I've been consuming massive amounts of podcasts, articles, etc to scratch my hunting itch in the final two weeks leading up to the season. It's crazy how different hunting situations are around the country. Most of media is written for crop land hunters. I on the other hand hunt more wooded areas, guys in WV hunt mountains, Southern hunter's have other challenges. It's interesting to read about different types of whitetail hunting. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
I've been hunting suburbia for a long, long time and I've yet to find a mature deer (buck or doe) who will tolerate my scent any more than a deer living in the middle of nowhere will. Yes, they're exposed to it more often but that doesn't mean they aren't acutely aware of where the scent is at, where the scent is not at, how fresh/strong it is, and what danger humans pose to them. I've always felt like the belief suburban deer don't care about human scent has been perpetrated by people who either have no real experience hunting suburban deer or just don't know what they're talking about.
Exactly! Micro managing your tactics and approaches allow you to utilize similar tactics no matter the locations though and with that basis can then adjust to whatever land type you are hunting. Far too much of what we are saturated with is just as you described crop land type hunting and usually on large tracts of land or leases....I would bet 80% of the folks that consume all of the data/information hunt smaller tracts 100 acres or less and/or public land.
I have deer that you can literally sit and watch (and they'll watch you) feed at the feeder 40 yds off my patio. 300yds down the creek they are entirely different animals. They have the ability IMO to discern "safe areas" if you will, and non safe areas and the scents that go along with it. I assure you my scent is all over around that feeder and yard, they catch my scent down the trail aways and they gone....
In fact I'd almost go so far to say that those deer on the fringes are even MORE aware than the deer I hunt farther out.
I would concur...especially Lil Buddy...that button buck (I know young bad example) but he just would set and watch you!
LOL ya he was my buddy, I'm talking specifically though to mature bucks and does right behind the house there and down the creek. The way they behave and react with just a few hundred yard difference in location is amazing.
The suburban deer around here are pretty calm if you encounter them when they are standing around in a yard or on the side of the road. Once you enter those woods and a stick or leaf makes a noise, they are on full alert. Some of the smartest does Ive ever seen roam the suburban woods.
My experience says that stealth is of utmost importance. Deer can't let their guard down...and use their eyes, nose, and ears all the time to stay alive. The opposite is probably true. Pay particular attention to all details. Smells you leave, wind direction, the possibility of them sighting you, and very important are the noises you make. Entry/Exit routes are key to plot and think through to have success. Go with a plan where you cannot be detected both entering and exiting, or maybe don't go. Think about this, if you have just one little spot, if you taint it,..then what? Also, those deer might be very close so you must pay particular attention to all these stealth details and actually increase your level of stealth! www.soundbarrierhunting.com
It is funny and I will get torched for this thought but I really don't care. Deer will tolerate what they are accustomed to, for example I feed outside of deer season I feed every day and I leave as much scent as possible. I can be in the pasture and deer will not react to my scent in a negative way, if somebody else is in the same spot the deer react differently.
Yup. Very true. I have had mature bucks. Bed by my feeder. They'll jump when I walk in. Retreat 70yds. Watch me fill the feeder and be eating before I am back in the truck.
I've been hunting my in-laws for about 10 years now. I can walk all around the house with the deer watching me. But, as soon as it comes to scent away from the house they won't have anything to do with it. My stand is only 120 yds from their back door but human scent is not tolerated.
