Scent cover?

[jaredwitman]

As a modern firearm elk hunter I have not used any product in the past and always try to hunt into the wind. I want to expand a little this season and try some different strategies out. Have you found cover scent products to be affect in the amount of animals you see each year and if so, what products would you recommend?

[LeviD1]

I believe it does help. I just use regular scent killer spray, no scented stuff. I think it helps when animals are down wind. I hardly ever get scented even upwind during season by anything but elk. Its not real expensive so I use it before I go out every day. Honestly I have had my jacket smelling like campfire smoke and sprayed it on and in about an hour I couldn't really tell. Granted animals have better sniffers, but it seems to work at least a bit.

[NOCK NOCK]

A lot will laugh at this but I use imitation vanilla. Yes as a cover scent for archery elk. From what I have experienced, elk actually like the scent. Another bonus is that it smells good to me too. 

[xXLojackXx]

No scent cover, scent killer, scent lok clothing, etc etc products work 100%. I don't care if you bathe in and drink scent killer by the barrel, elk will smell you if you're upwind of them. I don't use cover scents, scent killer, or anything of the like. Shot an elk last year at 6 feet. Get in the wind and move in on them. You'll be better off than relying on some marketing pitch cover scent.

[trophyhunt]

I personally think they are a waste of money, it only takes one molecule for deer or elk to smell you.  Your best bet is to stick with the wind, I do have friends and family that believe they help. They don't believe it keeps you 100% protected, they just feel it helps.  I don't think it does but that is just me. 

[Big6bull]

Everyone you ask has a different opinion. I say the bottle cost what 12 bucks. What can it hurt you will never be scent free. I see it as reducing some of my stank trail through.

[ghosthunter]

For elk I spend time in a ground blind for muzzy. I may have three blinds out  with friends in them. I cover each one with fresh cut low hanging boughs or grass if around. Each one is stocked just outside the door with a bottle of scent away.

We spay down the blind and our boots.
I killed a spike standing aginist the blind one year. My 70 year old buddy had a 6 point bull come from behind brush past the blind so it shook and stood point blank in front before he walked off.

I have had so many elk walk up from behind the blind that I now reguly pile logs and limbs behind them so I can hear  them before they walk by.

I dont know the scent away helps or not maybe it is my preperation. But now i am like some ball player pitcher who is afraid to change his ritual.

I can not beleive smoke smell bothers elk at all. They smell smoke all the time. 

[LeviD1]

Everyone you ask has a different opinion. I say the bottle cost what 12 bucks. What can it hurt you will never be scent free. I see it as reducing some of my stank trail through.

 

I definitely dont think they make you scent free but I believe it helps. I mostly hit my hat, shoes, and legs. With some on my top. In my experience when I dont use it I usually get snorted at if a deer comes in down wind. If I do use it they usually dont smell me. This is my experience. On elk though like I said earlier if your any sort of close to elk and upwind its still no luck

[WapitiTalk1]

No scent cover, scent killer, scent lok clothing, etc etc products work 100%. I don't care if you bathe in and drink scent killer by the barrel, elk will smell you if you're upwind of them. I don't use cover scents, scent killer, or anything of the like. Shot an elk last year at 6 feet. Get in the wind and move in on them. You'll be better off than relying on some marketing pitch cover scent.

This. Nothing disguises, covers, eliminates, diminishes, human stench.

[Eli346]

 I use it all the time but I'm always aware of the wind direction. I like it in my face or crossing.

[huntnnw]

Marketing! all it is. You show me a elk hunter who hasnt sweated while hunting, your breath alone is enough to alarm any elk or deer if the wind is wrong PERIOD! I  sit in stands and have deer approach from every angle with 0 scent killers or clothes.

 One thing I do use and it does work is scent killer spray on my boots to cover my trail into a stand for whitetails. Ive watched mt bucks come out of their skin when hitting my trail in. I have sprayed my boots and watched deer walk right over the trail and not flinch

[Buzz2401]

I use the non scented stuff mainly to not blow out an entire area.  If the wind swirls a little and say you can keep 75% of the scent molecules out of the air then its worth it.  I realize that it is pretty much impossible to be upwind of an animal and expect it to stick around.  Scent is definatly their biggest defense so I figuire it can't hurt.

[buglebrush]

Marketing! all it is. You show me a elk hunter who hasnt sweated while hunting, your breath alone is enough to alarm any elk or deer if the wind is wrong PERIOD! I  sit in stands and have deer approach from every angle with 0 scent killers or clothes.

 One thing I do use and it does work is scent killer spray on my boots to cover my trail into a stand for whitetails. Ive watched mt bucks come out of their skin when hitting my trail in. I have sprayed my boots and watched deer walk right over the trail and not flinch

Your last paragraph is exactly why I use it.  Definitely works on gear, boots, etc...  As for my body odor, I start taking zinc in the middle of August, and watch what I eat during season.  Cuts down on jock itch too.  I am always chewing on/rubbing fir twigs.  Play the wind is your only answer to not being winded, but you can drastically reduce your scent trail if you are careful.

[NOCK NOCK]

Why zinc? 

[jackmaster]

i personally beleive regular camp fire smoke is the best cover scent there is, all animals that grow up in the woods are accustomed to this scent, they are born smelling it. i have never used a cover scent other than that, if you keep the wind in your favor then obviously that is best, but when huntn blacktails it almost impossible to have the wind in your favor even half the time..

[rtspring]

No scent cover works. No matter what you use, your mouth breath still stinks.. 

Hunt into the wind.  Thats what works

[buglebrush]

Why zinc?

Zinc is an antimicrobial.  You sweat it out your pores,  and it reduces bacterial growth. 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

So I Googled How to not have human odor. And Zinc came up as recommended. There is a lot to as why we stink...... Check it out very informative.

[Jonathan_S]

No scent cover works. No matter what you use, your mouth breath still stinks.. 

Hunt into the wind.  Thats what works

Hunting into the wind is great but as you know it sure can swirl in the hills.

There are products made to reduce/eliminate/minimize breath odor.  I have lost opportunity from wind that swirled and other times I have killed animals downwind from me because I took precaution in eliminating much of my odor.

[coachcw]

cover scent may give you a split second advantage primarily where elk are in contact with people frequently. that being said i try to stay as fresh as possible and don't spray stuff on me that smells like a french whore  house .been said a million time wind !

[Jonathan_S]

  split second can be the difference in a dead elk or an elk headed into the next county.

If scent covers did nothing then we wouldn't wear deodorant on first dates 

[coachcw]

split second can be the difference in a dead elk or an elk headed into the next county.

If scent covers did nothing then we wouldn't wear deodorant on first dates 

some chicks like man scent ! 

[IBspoiled]

Scent control is difficult,I start with scent free spray but after a few days I smell anyway. What I usually resort to is finding fresh elk pee to roll in and rub all over myself.  Since I am trying to sound and act like an elk anyway, I want to smell like one too.  The only downfall is maybe not being able to get in your tent with your wife later at night and when the flies attack you with a vengeance.   

[buglebrush]

The goal isn't scent elimination, but scent reduction.  As said before I want to reduce my scent trail.

  Also, the more you stink the farther away an animal can wind you.  Huge huge factor at times.  Probably makes zero difference at 30 yards though