First off I'd like to apologize, because I can only imagine how many times a post like this has probably come up. Second I'm brand spanking new to hunting and as well as archery. Question 1. Scent Cover - Is it necessary to put it on my bow, arrows and all my gear... range finder, pack sack, etc etc? Question 2. I'm a smoker and I can only assume that is the worst scent to have on my clothes and on my breath. I could probably go without smoking for the excitement of my first hunt, but would it be possible to chew flavorless tobacco without leaving a lot of scent, in other words an alternative? Yes I know "quit smoking".. been there done that, several times, I have a slight anger issue and killing my lungs with smoke seems to control it. BUT back to the questions. Thanks for reading.
Any scent that is not natural to the woods, will spook deer. Imagine that you are covered in white paint walking through the woods, every thing you touch will be white. That white paint is your scent. When you are walking through the woods, your scent will rub off everything you or your gear touches. You want to make sure you and your gear are sprayed down with some kind of scent killer. I wash my hunting clothes in scent killer detergent, regular detergent scent will spook deer. Spray all your gear down before you walk in the woods, and you use the wind. Do this and you should be good.
I'm a smoker to but I try not to smoke on the way to the hunt and definitely NOT during the hunt. But what I do for scent control is pretty much wash in scent free detergent, hang and let dry outside, place clothing in some container (totes work) with something like earth scent wafers, and always spray down before entering into the woods. Also I'd get some rubber boots.
Yeah I watched a lot of Youtube videos recently on scent control from clothing, like both of you mentioned, keep in a tote container, one man suggested just putting baking soda like you use in the fridge into the container.. says its cheap and works. I also found out that I should stay away from certain spicy foods before I go. Was also told about the rubber boots, and to apply something like raccoon or fox urine on the bottom before I enter the woods. Should I apply some when I leave as well? My main concern was smoking actually. But I can definitely sacrifice a day without it. BTW, you guys have any suggestions on "meals" to bring during the hunt? I can only eat so many apples.
I just spray my boots down, the only time I may do any kind of scent when I'm walking is with some doe urine and a drag rag. But for meals if you plan to sit a while I just usually bring a ham sandwich or something along those lines. But the best advice anyone can give you when it comes to scent is play the wind! Basically don't let the wind blow towards the area they are. If the wind decided not to be in your favor you're better off switching to another spot. Do you have any buddy's that hunt?
To add a comment, I guess given the best circumstances, I should try to walk into the wind as much as possible, which makes sense, because I assume you hear a lot further away and obviously limit a deer sniffing you out. Yes I do have some friends that hunt, but my current situation is that I'm living on a military base far away from my friends. I generally shoot them a comment on Facebook from time to time. My plan of action right know..is to get good on confident with my bow, practice until I believe I'm ready to hunt. While I practice, try to learn as much as possible about the hunting portion, not limited to deer and not limited to a stand. I can only imagine how difficult it really is to shot straight, into the wind on a swaying tree stand, at a moving target.
in my experience this year walking into the wind got me busted to. when deer are bedding they sit so they can see downwind (typically) because they know they can trust their nose for anything from the upwind side. don't worry about walking into the wind as much as worrying about how you can get to your stand without having your wind blow to the deer or where the deer will be coming from and without walking threw the bedding areas or walking across open fields for the morning hunt sense typically your morning hunts are intercepting the deer coming from the fields to the bedding areas, and in the evening intercepting them going to the fields or food from their bedding areas. edit.. if walking to your stand with your back to the wind is the quickest or quietest way to your stand and your not expecting the deer to come from the down wind side of your stand (which should be the case or they will smell you on stand anyway) and the deer trails don't cross your line that you walked in on unless they are in shooting range and in your shooting distance then do that and make sure you are ready to let the air out of them as soon as they get to that line. my first doe i shot was a scenario just like this, i saw her coming from right to left and just before she got to where i walked in i was at draw and ready, as soon as she stepped into the lane and i let the arrow fly.
Where do you draw the line between sufficient scent control and ridiculous scent control? ... product wise, and anything else I might be neglecting.
To be honest I think the scent suits are ridiculously priced and with my system I've never had a problem getting a deer. Some people swear by them but I just don't see the need. But no matter what you got if you don't play the wind you have a chance of being busted.
I say buy scentblocker cloths...I just watched the Pres of the company arrow a big horned cow, I mean deer in a pen in Iowa. If you dont buy it he might have to cut back of those canned Timber ghost shoots...I mean hunts. In all seriousness buy what you like, then watch the weather channel and play the wind....... Here are the links you need. http://www.wunderground.com/ http://www.weather.com/ http://www.scoutlookweather.com/
If you are interested in scent control clothing purchases do it now, because they are cheap. I bought a Vertigo cameo scent lok pants at Gander Mountain for $49.99. The top was $105, but worth it to me. I also went to ****'s Sporting goods yesterday and purchased a pair of the Real tree AP scent blocker (BoneCollector) pants for $49. Everyone is clearing out their 2011 items. I had received some extra cash from Christmas and decided that’s what I wanted. I good cheap way to go about it is too run over to WalMart and in the laundry section get the Arm and Hammer Free or dye to perfumes detergent, then grab a box or baking soda, (cheaper not always better) and lastly grab a box of jumber XXL ziplock bags (4pack). Prior to washing you cloth run a cycle on it warmest setting and through about a cup of baking soda in the washing machine. You want to get of the perfume smell from normal laundry, more importantly do this step in the dryer if you’re going to dry your cloth in one. Now throw everything in the washing machine including you bath towel. After everything is clean and dry place everything in those jumbo ziplock bags. And sprinkle some baking soda on it then seal the bag. DONE! As far as smoking goes avoid it if possible, but if or when those angry voices start to up in your head and the need is overwhelming. Try to position yourself where the smoke will not blow in a direction you expect deer to come from (but this is where you’ll probably see that buck of life time). I smoked in my stand this year once while conducting a full day hunt in late October. I noticed that it was a S wind and my deer would most likely come either from the south or the east and never cross in front of my smoke (hopefully) and as soon as I put my cig out, not 3 minutes later there was the deer you see as my profile pic. He bedded down in front of me at 40 to 45 yards for over an hour before an even bigger buck came out of nowhere and got him up on his feet. All though I was able to get a shot off that particular day I was able to get him with my Charles Daily a few weeks later. Just make sure if you do smoke that the wind is blowing in the right direction, and never smoke on the ground, unless you’re standing near a hated neighbor’s stand that’s on the property line, as it tends to linger longer.
I have many year of hunting experience and rarely get scented by deer. Here are the things that I do: {clothes}wash my clothes in white distilled vinegar " the acid in the vinegar kills odor causing bacteria" it leaves no smell after going through the rinse cycle and doesn't have uv brighteners so camo doesn't fade as fast. {hair & body}Wash my body in baking soda "pour baking soda in a cup with water and it makes a paste to shower with" baking soda doesn't contain perfumes like soap so it doesn't leave an odor on you. {lure} I mix a bottle of imitation vanilla in water and spray it on leaves and feed, when deer pick up on it they really like it. Do yourself a favor and don't waste your hard earned money on scent destroying products because you can find everything you need in the cooking section of your local grocery store. Like I said I almost never get winded. I do get seen from time to time but usually not winded.
I wouldn't worry about that. You have to remember that a deers nose works just like a dogs and they usually only trigger on bacterial based scents like another animals dander or food. Because the primary use for a deers nose is detecting predator and locating something to eat. A bow or gun or anything metal for that matter doesn't attract bacteria therefore usually doesn't put off a strong scent that would interest a deer. You can buy the sprays and they work to a certain extent but they are designed to oxidize odor and neutralize bacteria growth and once again bows, guns etc. don't promote bacteria growth like materials contained in clothing.
i spray my pack and bow real quickly when i get in my stand and settled in just for the heck of it, but like whats stated above... its not going to make or break your hunt
Thanks guys that about sums up my scent control questions. I have a whole new batch of questions for you.. pertaining to scouting.. I'll post a new thread.
I agree with you on the scent suits. Way too expensive. Spend money on the scent elimination products. Set up your stands to use with certain wind directions. Be careful walking to these stands, spray down with scent killer and dont touch anything, and wear gloves. I wear knee high mucks walking in, this helps too.
