The Goatman story they used to tell at church camp when I was a kid was way more realistic and frightening. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
I remember reading an article, I believe in Outdoor Life, where the author tested this rubber boots vs hiking boots debate using a K-9 unit with the rationale that a dogs nose was close in ability to a deer’s nose. If I remember right, the author left a scent trail on two separate occasions, both over 300 yards. In both cases the dog was on his scent before the halfway point and came straight to him in under 30 seconds after finding the scent. Conclusive? Probably not, but it seems lile a good example of the closest to recreating a a hunt scenario. As an additional point, most hiking boots have rubber soles, amd many have breathable fabrics which would likely decrease foot stench by causing less sweating than unventilated rubber boots. I don’t care what boots you wear, I don’t think it matters that much either way. Personally, I hate rubber boots because of how much my feet sweat. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
I did also read that rubber boots tend to make your feet sweat, more often with insulated one's, so that could be an issue with odor, unless your hunting pants are tucked in the boots to minimize it. It's like anything I guess, wear whatever you feel most comfortable with.
The whole scent free movement is dollar driven. To me it the fastest way to waste your money that could be used for other things that do make a difference in taking a animal you're after. From head to toe it makes no difference what you wear when hunting. If they know your pattern they avoid it. If they smell your stink on the wind they avoid it. Rubber soles are rubber soles. They all have stink and if it's fresh they avoid it. The only way to beat their nose is a favorable wind and playing the thermals. I often wonder how hunters before the scent free movement ever killed deer at all.
I would have to agree with most of what you say, it is all money driven. There is just no way to completely eliminate scent. I have some open lanes on my hunting property that are regularly mowed for access. I use them and all the other critters use them, including the deer. My trailcams prove that. I've even had big bucks walk down them 20 minutes after I went through. But you get off those lanes, more into the woods, it's a different ball game. At least it's that way in farm country. In deep forest areas where there's not as much human interaction for the deer, it's probably different. I will say that I think an ozone generator could be of some use if you are in an enclosed blind. There is real science behind ozone generators. But out in the open, like in a treestand, I don't think they would have much effect. Sent from my SM-N975U1 using Tapatalk
I believe it. I forgot to tell you he said he went out there at night and hit sticks against the trees, and guess what? Something answered him back using the same pattern. LOL
