deer and the human smell

[scoobydoo6906]

I am going to interject my opinion here about deer and human smell. I don't think its so much about we smell like humans, its we smell like predators or meat eaters. think about this, I saw a guy somewhere that could tell if a person was a vegetarian just but there smell. it sounds completely absurd till you think about meeting somebody that eats a lot of garlic, you call smell it coming out of there pours. even after they shower. this nothing against people from India but they come to mind. I imagine if you or I were a prey species you would be pretty cued up to meat eater smells. maybe if we all went vegetarian for a week before we went hunting and while we were hunting we would smell like less of a threat. it would also make sense why strong smells that are typical human smells like diesel, grease, scented laundry soap don't all ways scare deer away scare deer away. it may just cover our meat eater smell because clearly deer are not scared buy odd smells. so what do you guys think do you think? it is possible that deer are afraid of our meat eater smell and not the human smell?

[Idabooner]

You have just opened a very deep subject, I have thought about this and observed the deer’s actions for many years.  I do believe deer can tell if you eat meat, but like you say  people all smell different by what they eat, smoke, what their clothes have been around, did they gas the rig up or step in dog poop.  My observation has been a lot of other things come into this like how spooky the deer are, have they been prayed on lately, where they are, they seem to know where the safe zones are, there’s lots of deer in the city limits, my field and yard that don’t pay attention to smells. I believe out in their natural environment a strange smell alerts them and depending if and how much they have been molested or spooked lately  determines how they respond.  I think a good natural cover smell is best, I like wood smoke.

I hope some other folks kick in here with their observations.

[Idabooner]

Another thing that inters into how you smell is how you are acting, are you acting natural or are you sneaking like a predator.  Deer will stand and watch a predator if it’s not on the hunt.

[billythekidrock]

Another thing that inters into how you smell is how you are acting, are you acting natural or are you sneaking like a predator.  Deer will stand and watch a predator if it’s not on the hunt.

Very easily evident when you can walk right up to a deer, but when you put on the sneak they are quick to leave.

[scoobydoo6906]

I have revised my strategy, eat before you go out in the mournong(can't be looking hungry), don't eat meat for 3-4 days before the hunt (maybe you will not that I am going to eat you smell), last and most important don't act/look like a hunter (you may try tying all your supplies for your days hunt in a bundle and tie them to the end of your rifle kinda like a hobo, that should throw them of. hell even stumble around looking drunk that would be really convincing too) a hippie look would be just as effective I am sure.

[Palmer]

I use all the scent eliminating soaps and detergents.  I eat light and not a lot of meat.  I avoid anything that will give me gas or indigestion.  I spray myself down a couple times during the day to eliminate all scent.  I also drag a scent wick.  When I see deer staring at me I do a nonthreatening doe grunt/bleat and I've been able to walk within 20 yards of does and yearling bucks. 
Now older bucks are a step above that.  I've heard of them staying well hidden and crawling away through thick cover while you are only 30 feet away from them and you probably won't even see them.  I've also been grunted at and never seen them.  I believe they stand in the cover and see me before I see them and then never come out except for the ones I've harvested.

Private land, areas close to town, and areas deep in the woods are best due to low hunting pressure.  Cover your scent and get into a good spot before first light and sit still for the first couple hours.  Try rattling once or twice.

[Chesapeake]

This scent stuff has always interested me.

For instance "ones breath". All the scent lock clothes and spray you could have wouldnt cover your breath.

But..... I've used the spray and soap and had deer less than 15 yards down wind of me. So do they not care about your breath?

The thing I've learned and worked on is "Area of awareness". I try to move very slow, stop often, and sit still lots. During these activities, or lack of activity my area of awareness is greatly increased.

Think about it. A deer is far more aware of its suroundings than any human.

Think about this. If a guy stands still in the woods he will be aware of any other human moving around him far before the moving human becomes aware of him, if the moving human ever becomes aware.

How many times have you stood still and had others walk right by and never see you? Now you know how a deer feels.

They dont realy hide per se. They just stand still and let you bumble on by. If you sit still two things happen.

1: You become aware of everything within ear shot, and anything you see move.

2: Your not making noise for the deer to hear, and you arent moving for them to see you.

Kind of wandered there a bit.

[Palmer]

Eat lots of parsely in the morning and evening.  Watch what you eat and you won't have to worry so much about your breath.

[stumprat]

Play the wind, not the scent free gimick stuff. After you shower with/and spray on that stuff you smell like everything you come in contact with.

[bow4elk]

Lot's has been written about this topic over the years.  Lot's of diet-based theories.  Specifically for deer, I do my best to reduce my human scent by showering with unscented soaps (even made my own douglas fir and cedar scented soaps with the aid of my wife's expertise is natural soap-making).  I wash my clothing in scent-killer type detergents, and I spray down with scent (bacteria) killing sprays, such as Dead Down Wind.  I never wear my boots in my truck and chose to wear scent free rubber boots most of the time.  If you've ever watched a deer run into your scent trail and seen them spring into panic, you'll think twice about your choice in footwear.  Finally, I use an old Elmer's glue bottle filled with corn starch as a wind checker.  I use in constantly and hunt the wind first and foremost.  All the other precautions are just due diligence to help reduce the scent trail that I might leave in my wake.

On the topic of behavior, I absolutely agree that deer pick up on eye contact and your reaction to seeing them.  If you see a deer, the best thing you can do is keep walking and not break stride.  Or move slightly away, pausing to pick a leave or two.  They will watch intently but if you act deliberately, and are not sneaking or showing any sign that you see them, you have a good chance to raise your gun or nock an arrow for a slow turn and quick shot.

You always have to remember that a lot of old timers got by with wool pants from Sears and a Pendleton wool shirt.  They smoked, drank coffee, didn't shower daily, and stood around smoldering camp fires all day long.  They stunk!  They hunted with the wind in their faces, and they killed game.  Nothing will replace a steady wind in your face and honed hunting skills 

[Ghost1941]

hell even stumble around looking drunk that would be really convincing too) a hippie look would be just as effective I am sure.

Tell me where abouts you hunt, I have camera I need to try out

[farmin4u_98948]

With no scent cover at all. Just a riding a horse I have ridden into deer and had them look up from feeding then go back to eating with no alarm at all. Some times they get real nervous but it is fun to see how close we can get to them. But as always they are not the big monsters just does and younger bucks.

[Palmer]

With no scent cover at all. Just a riding a horse I have ridden into deer and had them look up from feeding then go back to eating with no alarm at all. Some times they get real nervous but it is fun to see how close we can get to them. But as always they are not the big monsters just does and younger bucks.

Why would deer or elk be afraid of a huge four legged like a horse?  I've done the same.  Try it without a horse and you'll get a different result.  They know what a two legged is - their biggest predator.

[SHANE(WA)]

play the wind

[Hillbilly270]

I agree with Billy.....i shot my deer this year bout 300yds down in a brush hole.  i gutted it, cut it in half and when i was half way back up the hill i jumped two deer.....wierd.   goes to show how tight they will hold in 65degree weather.