The keys to my best scent control year ever...

All I did was play the wind correctly, bathed in scent free Dove soap, and used baking soda to wash my clothes before I hung them up to dry. Each hunting day demanded a different stand position based on the wind. I used no cover scent, nothing and had better success at getting deer close and not getting busted than ever before. I seriously took the wind into account every single hunt this year instead of hoping my wind would be ok. This year made me a believer that the only things that I can really do to reduce the chances that a deer smells me is to hunt the wind correctly and to not step anywhere I think a deer might walk. There is no other substitue or gimmick.

I spent $0 on cover scents, special scent free laundry detergent, and special hunting soaps.


Simplistic yet effective.

 

I spent $0 on cover scents, special scent free laundry detergent, and special hunting soaps.

Cant beat that !

 

My season has been identical. I've played the wind, every hunt. I haven't sprayed down with anything.

To date, I haven't had a deer blow at me (nor has anyone hunting with me). Have I been winded? Well.....no one can say, for sure.

Congrats, Brett.

 

Yup, pretty plain and simple ALWAYS play the wind and watch the thermals.

 

I took the thermals into account every hunt as I hunt hill country 95% of the time. I have a lot to learn but felt I came a long way this year in regards to understanding the thermals effect my scent stream. Jeff, I didn't spray down with a thing. I spent like $3 the entire year on two bars of scent free Dove soap. I found my scent control system this year...hahahaha.

 

As Rancid said awhile back. Baking soda is your friend as a hunter.


I have not broke the wind rule yet this year.

However, my actual hunting chances dwindling fast and stand locations that are appropriate for this time of year reduced down to one or two.... I MAY break the wind rule yet.

I figure, there is nothing to lose at this point. Get busted vs don't hunt. It doesn't change anything for me next year.


I am very excited for this late season.

 

What about the boots Brett? No scent killer on them? Are you are doing anything on the boots?

 

I agree Brad, if the deer are eating at a hot food source and you have to get in there to make it happen even with a marginal wind, then go for it if the season is ending soon.

 

Nothing. I put my boots on after I exit my truck. I throw them in the bed of my truck on the way too and from hunting. I make sure not to walk anywhere I think a deer will walk. I will purposefully walk over laydown sticks/rocks rather than an easy entrance if I think it will give me a better shot at keeping from getting busted. Leaving ground scent is as bad as it gets for me in the deer woods.

 

It's funny Brett. My clothes are hanging outside right now. But I did something I have never done before with them...........PUT THEM IN THE DRYER!!!!

Why?........... It won't be above freezing here in the conceivable future. lol


Tonight Mostly cloudy then becoming partly cloudy after midnight then becoming mostly cloudy. Near steady temperature around 19. West winds 5 to 15 mph.
Thursday Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night Mostly clear. Lows around 14. Northwest winds up to 5 mph
.Friday Sunny in the morning then becoming partly sunny. Highs around 30. Northwest winds up to 5 mph shifting to the west in the afternoon.
Friday Night Cloudy. Slight chance of light snow through around midnight...then snow after midnight. No snow accumulation near the lake and snow accumulation around 2 inches well inland. Lows in the mid 20s. East winds up to 5 mph. Chance of snow 80 percent.
Saturday Snow. Moderate snow accumulations. Highs in the lower 30s. Chance of snow 80 percent.
Saturday Night Mostly cloudy through around midnight then becoming partly cloudy. Scattered flurries. Lows around 18.
Sunday Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s.
Sunday Night Partly cloudy. Lows around 12.
Monday Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 20s.M
onday Night Mostly cloudy through around midnight then becoming partly cloudy. Lows around 10.
Tuesday Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 20s.
Tuesday Night Partly cloudy. Lows around 9.
Wednesday Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 20s.

 

I do the same with my boots. I wear tennies driving to and from my stand. I just figure the only thing touching the ground is my boots and I want that to be as scent free as possible. A little spray won't hurt.

Plus... my feet stink!!!

 

I put mine in the dryer several times this year and I noticed nothing negative...not a single negative response as compared to my normal regimine.

 

Dan the man gave me the OK on that.......... Glad you agree.

No other choice really anyway.

Going to be great hunting conditions Saturday. Can't wait to get up there. I am just envisioning a buck sneaking through the funnel to bed in the swamp. If optimism is the key to bowhunting.... I've already scored.

 

I like this!

 

This ^^^^^^ is something I need more work on.

 

Most spots In the woods I hunt the wind tends to swirl here and there. I've been winded more this week then I have all year. The deer are so on edge It's almost pathetic. Welcome to Minnesota after the gun seasons.

 

I am not saying I haven't been unknowingly winded this year Steve. Hunting pressure plays a role as well as does swirling wind. Keep at it man I really hope you get a crack at the "Lifes Mission" buck you are hunting.

 

I know what your saying, I'm just whining buddy!! Every year this time of year I get winded quite often. As for the lifes mission buck, ain't happening. Didn't you catch that thread I made?

 

Oops I did catch that thread. Sorry to rub it in man I forgot. Deer here are on full alert as well. I find that by mid-December they start calming back down as the gun hunters and hunters in general just flat out quit hunting. I should be able to get 3-4 afternoon hunts in late December and maybe 1 or 2 more here in the next couple of weeks. I am hoping to get lucky.

 

Good luck bud!!