Bug Spray

[axelfisher]

Any thoughts on the effect of bug repellent on bears, deer or elk? I was wondering this as I was walking through a marshy area bear hunting and getting bit up like crazy...
Thanks!

[BOWHUNTER45]

I can not believe so many people do not know about Therma cell    Guarantee ya to bug problems ...hook it on your belt and hunt hard !

[BigFoot02]

  Therma cell all the way bro..

[fillthefreezer]

i double up, spray and thermacell and still usually end up dozen bites..

[adamR]

thermacell is pretty cheap and works great, if you are going into a spot where the bugs are really bad sometimes I supplement with Garlic capsules they seem to really help and they are good for you

[bearpaw]

I think the therma cell has an odor, not as strong as bug repellent, but there is an odor, I would still hunt with the wind in your favor. 

[axelfisher]

Thanks guys...I am sure my sweat has more smell then the spray, but thought it was a good question for all big game. Therma cell it is!

[adamR]

I think the therma cell has an odor, not as strong as bug repellent, but there is an odor, I would still hunt with the wind in your favor. 

I agree there is definately a scent, but according to thermacell because it comes from a natural plant apparently that scent doesn't affect the animals.

[Evoac05]

I will be picking up a thermacell or two, I found a couple dozen mosquito bites after last weekends hunt. Those little things wouldn't leave me alone

[Jordanskylery]

Bugs are the worse I have ever seen this year.  The warm winter really let them gain numbers.  I was going to ask the same question but guess it's going to be a thermacell for me too.  With the load buzzing in my earns and face constantly I could barely hear sounds around me let alone stay still long enough to be effective.  Was getting so annoyed at one point I was contemplating letting some of those blood suckers suck on a .40 cal round or two!

[adamR]

just make sure you have plenty of refills with you, I am suprised at how fast they burn out, both the butane and the scent pad
but that is my only complaint

[fillthefreezer]

how can you tell when your pad is toast?

[adamR]

If I remember right, it turns white from blue, or vise versa, and if pay attention you can actually smell the difference

[Kain]

Those Off Clip Ons actually work pretty good.  I bought one last year and was really impressed that it worked on the skitter and fly's.

[Jordanskylery]

Do the thermacells make a noise?

I haven't had a chance to grab one yet but remembered I had one of the off clip ons, so I took it with me this morning.  Couldn't use it as it is powered by a small fan and makes too much noise to both hear your surroundings as well as give off your location to any animal in the vicinity.  Plus mine was making a small buzzing noise in addition to the sound of the fan.  Other than that it keeps the bugs away but not great if your trying to be anyway stealthy. 

I thought I read that the thermacell uses heat to disperse the repellant which would make much more sense for hunting in my opinion.

[pianoman9701]

I finally grabbed the Therma Cell yesterday. Holy carp! $50 with the refill pack. For that kind of money, it should repel wolves and ex-wives, all of them. I also picked up a can of Coleman odorless, deet-free insect repellent.

[stickbuck]

The regular wicks that it comes with definitely have a smell to them. Order or pick up the fresh earth wicks and you'll be good to go. One of the best purchases I've made for hunting/camping gear. 

[pianoman9701]

If I remember right, it turns white from blue, or vise versa, and if pay attention you can actually smell the difference

Blue to white when it's done.

[Sideswipe]

Concurr w/StickBuck.  1st time I used the Therma I was in a hidey hole waiting for a bear I saw the day before.  The Therma was brand new (didn't even test fire it at home...duh).  Mosquitos were unmerciful.  Lit off the Therma & bug free but it put out quite an odor.  Part of it might be like lighting off a heater for the 1st time.  I now have a supply of the new earth scent wafers.  I always wear one of those HS cover scent plastic wafers in earth scent anyway.  Poor animals will get high on all the different stuff I'm us'in.

Enjoyed reading all the replys on this post....wish one of us would share they shot a bear while using a Therma....that's the real proof.

[MatthewHunter98]

thermacell will do you good

[Evoac05]

Cabelas is having a deal on a thermacell 2-pack, might have to get it.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/ThermaCELL-Green-Appliance-Two-Pack/1404465.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3DThermacell%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=Thermacell&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products