Scentless?

[Korichnovui]

Hi,

Hunting newbie here. I'm going out hunting with my more experienced brother in law this weekend, and was doing some research on going scentless. Internet advice really because I don't think my brother in law sets much stock into it. So a lot of what I read on the internet suggested simply washing the clothes in hot water with baking soda, and then air-drying, and then sealing in bags with some foliage such as pinetree boughs. So this is what I've done.

I also understand that I should change into these clothes right before hunting ie not drive to the spot wearing them. Stuff like that.

What other tips / advice can you guys give a newbie? One question I have is, do you guys bring separate clothes for each separate day you hunt? Is scentless a good idea or not a big deal, just for fanatics, etc? What do you think?

Thanks in advance!

[DeKuma]

All you read is good advice, but in reality, just hunt the wind in your favor you can do okay.

[PolarBear]

It is not always possible to "play the wind" as is so often repeated.  Do your best to be as scent free as possible (you can never get all the stink off of you) and "play the wind" as much as you can.  Stay away from unnatural cover scents.  Crush up some fir or pine needles in your hands and rub them on your self.

[DoubleJ]

It'll taste nasty but, throw some of those pine neddles in your mouth and chew them up too.  a ton of human scent comes from your mouth.

[sirmissalot]

It'll taste nasty but, throw some of those pine neddles in your mouth and chew them up too.  a ton of human scent comes from your mouth.

Now that's funny right there

[DoubleJ]

Now damnit, I was being serious.  I didn't say eat the neddles, just chew them a bit and spit them out

[pianoman9701]

All you read is good advice, but in reality, just hunt the wind in your favor you can do okay.

 :yeah:x2

[cossacksam]

 

It'll taste nasty but, throw some of those pine neddles in your mouth and chew them up too.  a ton of human scent comes from your mouth.

I have found using some doe urine as mouth wash the morning of the hunt works wonders.

  

[3nails]

All you read is good advice, but in reality, just hunt the wind in your favor you can do okay.

 :yeah:x2

x3 Most of that scent stuff is overrated for sales. We spend 2 weeks a year in a wall tent without showers smelling heavily of camp smoke, bacon grease and coffee and rattle in whitetail bucks. Sure, when the wind blows their way they take off (after they regain consiousness ) but it's fairly easy to play the wind and not have to worry about odor.

[blackveltbowhunter]

At the OP..... I think it depend alot on the style of hunting your planning on doing 

   If your spot and stalk, calling/rattling, etc. Its quite possible that your going to be 1) moving around to different locations and covering country, 2) on the ground, and 3) If conditions are optimal you will have an idea of the location or position of your target. In these scenarios scent control becomes very difficult as you are moving and sweating. But this can be offset by your ability to "play" the wind to an extent. Since you will be on the ground and mobile. Normally in these situations scent control becomes very difficult and the wind will ALWAYS be your number one concern.

   Now if your sitting a stand or stationary postition for periods of time I change my tactics in regard to scent control. With stand hunting in general your 1) stationary. 2) If your homework has been done you should have a pretty accurate prediction of where to expect your game to come from and prevailing wind wind directions in that area. However... nothing is foolproof and wind can swirl and animals come in from a different directions. In these situations I am very scent conscious.... keeping clothes scent free, daily showers if at all possible, storing clothes scent free, scent free boots and gloves, and wearing different clothes into my area and changing if I anticipate any sweating.

[Glockster]

Don't learn to hunt from the internet, magazines, or god forbid; any hunting TV show.

Go to a park and practice getting close to animals like squirrels and birds.   There is a local wildlife photographer by the name of Chuck Bartlett who has some very great insights into how to get close to wild animals.  He used to be a bow hunter and now makes his living selling photos...he gets within 10ft of hunted animals.  Very incredible man.  Much of his technique has to do with body language and eye contact (lack of)....etc. 

Regarding scents, a deer's sense of smell is right on par with a bloodhound's.  None of the wonder products is going to defeat that nose.  Play the wind.  Save your money for practice ammo and good optics.

That's the best advice I could offer.  HUnting is a never perfected art and science with no magic answers.  Don't fall prey to all the wonder products out there.  Spend time in the woods, emulate successful woodsmen and enjoy your lifetime of learning how to get close to animals. 

[Zardoz]

Lots of good advise, and some NOT  , but remember to always be looking everywhere and moving ever so slowly. Working the wind will be the most help with smell and noise. Best of luck.

[Korichnovui]

Thanks for all the great advice!

Especially deer urine mouthwash, I'm definitely going to try this...