scent strategies in elk camp

[grundy53]

I pay ZERO attention to scent control and ALWAYS pay attention to the wind.

  I don't care how sent free you think you are a deer or elk will smell you if you are up wind of them.

[grundy53]

campfires are one of the biggest enemies

I disagree. Smoke is actually a pretty good cover sent. It is natural and doesn't spook animals. However like Jason said it's all about the wind.

[kentrek]

campfires are one of the biggest enemies

I disagree. Smoke is actually a pretty good cover sent. It is natural and doesn't spook animals. However like Jason said it's all about the wind.

the world will never know

[Sliverslinger]

The fact of the matter is that if you're out at elk camp for several days and you're hunting hard, you're gonna get stinky right off the bat and no amount of spraying down, wiping down, rolling in pine boughs, etc... is enough to cover your scent from an elk downwind. The baby wipe showers are awesome -  but they are more for your comfort (getting rid of monkey butt and pit bunnies) and for your tent partner than for hiding your scent trail from elk. The two single most important factors in successfully elk hunting are to hunt where the elk are and watch the wind!

[JLS]

And stay away from the Mountain House Chili Mac

[JPhelps]

I've always said "I think people would be more successful if they sprayed down with cologne instead of a scent killer/cover scent".  It would force them to play the wind and the thought would never cross their mind to risk the wind.

[ellensburgpo]

And stay away from the Mountain House Chili Mac

  solid advice right there to lower your "scent profile"

[JLS]

And stay away from the Mountain House Chili Mac

  solid advice right there to lower your "scent profile"

I'm more worried about self-induced asphyxiation

[JLS]

I have to admit, I get a lot of entertainment in regards to flatulence.  Honestly, when you have a house full of women, it keeps a guy sane. 

The first time I ate MH Chili Mac, I woke up in the middle of the night and rolled over in my bag.  I caught a whiff and almost hurled.  My wife was probably laughing to herself when that happened.

[dscubame]

I pay ZERO attention to scent control and ALWAYS pay attention to the wind.

   And the campfire is a good cover scent.  They burn the woods in ID where I go.

[dreamunelk]

I pay ZERO attention to scent control and ALWAYS pay attention to the wind.

  I don't care how sent free you think you are a deer or elk will smell you if you are up wind of them.

  Pretty much sums it up.   Simply amazing how much people spend on marketing gimmicks.

[huntnnw]

I pay ZERO attention to scent control and ALWAYS pay attention to the wind.

  theres nothing your going to control on the ground with elk with the wrong wind

[Dbax129]

Wow, thank you.  So playing the wind is way more important.  Does that mean I shouldn't use cover scents at all, or just that I should never rely on them... This is my first year elk hunting, so you're advice here has the opportunity to shape my wee little hunting mind before I develop bad habits.    If I should be using something, other than wind checkers, should it be the neutralizing spray or elk urine? again, sounds like maybe nothing at all from so many highly experienced hunters.

[Dbax129]

after reading this over again, ZERO is a pretty clear number on how much I should worry about scent control.     Thanks again guys!  Anything I should be looking for in a wind checker?  It's just a bottle of powder that poofs and floats away right?

[grundy53]

Wow, thank you.  So playing the wind is way more important.  Does that mean I shouldn't use cover scents at all, or just that I should never rely on them... This is my first year elk hunting, so you're advice here has the opportunity to shape my wee little hunting mind before I develop bad habits.    If I should be using something, other than wind checkers, should it be the neutralizing spray or elk urine? again, sounds like maybe nothing at all from so many highly experienced hunters.

You can use whatever cover scent/neutralizer you want. Just don't rely on it. The only way to 100% beat an elks nose is to stay down wind from him.