scent strategies in elk camp

[huntnnw]

Ive tested worn scent lok suits on deer..by putting a suit in alfalfa field and observing the deer..mind u the creator of the scent which was in the suit isnt in it now..deer blew out of the field once down wind of it

[sakoshooter]

Watch the wind.

That's the bottom line.

[LowRange]

  Never have been into all this scent control voo-doo myself and have gotten more than my share  of elk and deer.

 Comes down to the swirling wind in my view,camp fire smoke is something all animals are used to being around.
 Here in the Yakima area the best sure fire thing that always works for me is just go to youre favorite stand and make a noise like a bale of hay!

 Works most every time. 
 I have to say that this thread is right up there with the Bigfoot thread.  Good for a chuckle.               

[Dbax129]

Could I use a product like stanely chalk for a snap line as a wind checker? or is it a bad idea for some reason?
here is a link to the product at lowes http://www.lowes.com/pd_104368-355-47-806_0__?productId=3362936&Ntt=empty+chalk+bottle&Ns=p_product_price|0
Real cheap, like me.  Anybody use this? I have loads of it around, but black and red might be a little bit too permanent.  purple i think just blows away...

[JLS]

Give it a try.  Some of the powders don't work as well, even in the commercial wind checker products.  I"ve got one that's running out, I'll probably try corn starch first and then chalk second.

[Stizz]

Completely agree with you guys on the wind. Thats number one and always will be. On the other hand I use my fair share of scent killing products, because frankly I don't think it can hurt in any way. I believe they definitely help, but i feel like the situations where they are the determining factor between a successful and unsuccessful hunt are very rare.

I've noticed that when it comes to playing the scent game, its not just about scent, its about scent concentration too. Look at the difference between being winded at 100 yards vs 10 yards. I've had elk wind me at a couple hundred yards, in which case they just became noticeably nervous and just headed in the opposite direction. In one such instance I was able to make a big circle and cut downwind of those elk and stick the bull of the group a couple hundred yards from where they winded me at...and they were completely calm when they came within range.

On the other hand, think of when an elk winds you at 10 yards. It's that explosive panic that sends them running for the next county! Game over... You know they just got a big noseful and knew you were right there.

That brings me to the argument that I believe while scent killers aren't going to "kill" your scent, they will help reduce the conecntration or potency of your scent, which may make the difference between a nervous animal and a fleeing animal that becomes effectively unhuntable. 

Putting this to use in camp I just try to keep my camo on only when neccesary, and I like to store them in some vegetation outside when possible. Maybe there's something to it, maybe there's not...but thats my 

[Broken Arrow]

wind direction......wind direction....wind direction....cant smell what you cant smell!