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

I've been saying/doing this for years. See my sig.

 

Well then you better work on hunting without going into the woods, because it's simply impossible to "not walk where a deer is going to walk".

I agree w/everything else in this thread re: playing the wind correctly. But in truth, is this some sort of new revelation or something that we've been doing all along?

 

It's ALWAYS playing the wind ... that scent eliminating stuff is BUNK .... play the wind when walking to your stand and also when on stand ... I may not be a big buck hunter ... but I can get deer close to me ..and often .... and the wind and thermals are the reasons why ...

Now if that other stuff gives you confidence ... go for it ....

Brett ... your post is right on..

 

I can tell you from my experience....it's only something I've done the last 2.5yrs. I never had the luxury, before (it was hunt - where I could - when I could - or stay at home). I was very limited in land availability. I never even checked the wind direction, until I acquired new land in 2008.

I'm betting there are others in this same situation. Or, they think (and, they may be right) there's no way to play the wind in their hot spots (either swirling winds or they don't know which direction the deer will come from).

I used to get winded a LOT. And, I was way more anal about my scent control, then.

Full disclosure.

 

There is a lot of truth to what Jeff said. A lot of hunters have limited spots they can hunt, and they hunt when they can. Many of the hunters on this site would probably be a good representation of a "serious" bowhunter. The average guy doesn't always play the wind. Some don't have many options, and others don't realize how important it is.

I have spoken to many hunters that literally have one, maybe two, stands or hunting sites. Their only criteria for hunting is when they have time.

 

The Wind
Well on my bow hunt with Will I did something I never have done!! That's throw out all the scent control I have always done. When I asked Will do you use spray down or scent control he said no.Well all the years I've been hunting and guiding people I have never broken the scent control rule.
I said to myself let's do it as the area's I hunt have all types of thermals swirling constantly. Never got blown at once in the 4 day hunt and my buck I shot on the 2nd day came in down wind of me not once, but twice. I told Will your saying what I've been doing all my bow hunting life has bin in vain and now you made me a believer in not using scent control.
I won't go that far because I have seen the result of being scented and have also not been scented because of what I ware. But Will's logic was cool to see happen. I won't go back to not using, just not in me.
Rocky

 

Can someone explain to me thermals?

I am new to bowhunting, this is my first season, but I am trying to learn as much as I can...

After reading a few posts on here, you guys keep mentioning paying attention to thermals, what do you mean by this, probably a dumb question, but I don't know so I need to be educated. Thanks guys.

 

http://forums.bowhunting.com/showthread.php?t=12111&highlight=Thermals

 

Very true Justin but you can be dang sure there are areas in your hunting spot that need to be avoided like the plague when entering and exiting your stands. And this holds especially true when you are within bow range of your stand. I used to blow a lot of set-ups because I would walk exactly where the deer walked when accessing my stand and they would hit my ground scent and bolt. I now survey my stand area prior to putting up the climber so that I try to not step anywhere where I think a deer will walk. It has helped and how do I know? From actually experiencing what I am saying. And to be honest Justin, this actually may be a revelation to some hunters. I know it was for me when I started really thinking about how I should use the wind and being mindful of ground scent instead of relying on gimmicks(about 2-3 years ago)

This is no new revelation, never said it was....but I can tell you many guys (myself included) over the years have NOT played the wind correctly and did not access their stand sites correctly and got nailed and picked off scent wise. We relied on cover sprays, rubber boots, scent lok, you name it to control our scent and it is not as effective as actually playing the wind and being mindful of your ground scent.

 

I didn't use anything special this year either.

I showered with Dove Unscented and put on Arm and Hammer unscented. I did wash my clothes in scent free detergent, then immediately after washing them, I took them outside and poured baking soda all over them and hung them up on the porch to let them air dry. I never took my clothes inside. I poured baking soda in and on my boots and hats after every hunt as well. Since I'm not really able to get dressed at the woods, I also took towels and washed them with my hunting clothes. When I would head to the woods, I'd lay a fresh scent washed towel down on my seat and only wear my base layers to the farm.

I have been busted this year but only a few times that I know of. It's been nice not having to buy bottle after bottle of cover scent as well.

 

The only time you can beat a big bucks nose is when he doesn't care. AKA chasing a full estrus doe. When we hunt we play the wind from the truck to the stand and back. As hard as it is, you have to give up good spots if the wind is wrong... Scent elimination products help... but don't cure. My 2 cents.