Odor control while bicycle hunting

[yorketransport]

Here's a question for anyone else who hunts from a bicycle, or has to hike in a ways when they hunt.  I've been doing a lot of scouting on my bike this year since it's so much more efficient than just hiking. I can cover 20 miles, and be back home for lunch. My concern is how to manage my scent after riding in 6-10 miles.

I'll be honest, I'm not exactly in Tour De France physical condition. When I'm out there riding I break a sweat, since all of the good spots seem to be on top of the mountain. Even during deer season when it's cooled down I think that this will still be a problem. So now I'm in an area that looks good, but when I walk in there I'll stink the place up. I know that it's important to watch the wind, but what do you do if you've really broke a sweat coming into the place. Is it easiest to just pack in a change of clothes to actually hunt in? Or do you guys think that some scent eliminating spray and a cover scent would be sufficient?

Since I'm limited to day hunts only (no over nights) I can't just have separate sets of camp clothes and hunting clothes. I would need to pack them both around with me all day. This will add extra weight and bulk.

What does everyone think is the best solution?

Andrew

[flinger]

 you have to bike in, in your spandex spedos and then dress for the hunt when you arrive 

[HoofsandWings]

You are assuming you are the only one around. There usually are other bikers, hikers and horseback riders in the area.
Once you arrive at your spot, put some cover scent on. The animals are used to smelling humans.
Watch the wind. I have shot several deer at under 100 feet by keeping track of the wind.

If you get parinoid over scent contol, you will become self concience and ruin the hunt. Once you start worrying about yourself,
you stop looking. It is a distraction.

[MIKEXRAY]

I don't bicycle but I do hike up to my area. I wear shorts and a t-shirt for my hike & sweat all the way. When I get to my hunting area I change into hunting clothes after cleaning up & using some scent free products. I also bag up my sweaty clothes & shove down in my back pack. When I start hunting I am as fresh as I left the truck & not scenting up my area. I believe it makes a difference as my success has gone up with my efforts. Mike

[ICEMAN]

Use baby wipes to clean yourself up after your ride in...

[yorketransport]

you have to bike in, in your spandex spedos and then dress for the hunt when you arrive 

But how will I carry my 10" BFR if I'm wearing that?

Maybe I am just over thinking this. I imagine that the animals are pretty used to the smell of people out here. I'm just out in the Bald Hills area and I know that there's a lot of foot/bike traffic out here. Most of the people head down toward the Nisqually though, so I head the other direction up towards the GP National Forest. It's mostly up hill, so I think that's why there's fewer people on this side.

I'll try just changing clothes and throwing on a cover scent when I get to the area I want to hunt. One intersting thing that I've learned is that I see a lot more animals in the road when I'm on a bike. I don't know if it's the different sound that the bike makes or if it's because I aproach them so much faster. Either way, I never have time to get off a shot, I just see more animals. I sneek up on a coyote almost every trip out. I was within 25yds of running one over yesterday.

Andrew

[coachcw]

just count on the wind and stay fresh the unsented baby wipe are good . animals will smeel you garantied if the wind is wrong regardless , you guys see that sentlock is getting sewed , the stuff isn't what it claims . m ost guys get lazy with the wind due to the terain and get busted .

[BLKBEARKLR]

maybe you are just over thinking this, I have smoked now for 25 years, I have harvested everything from Grizzlies to deer. When you get into to the hunt, watch your wind and enjoy it. Learn your lessons on what you can and cannot do.

Here is another example, all the big hype about scent lok, and look at them now, people lived by that, to find out it was nothing more than skill and pure luck.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/hunting/2010/05/bestul-scent-lok-found-guilty-false-advertising

Enjoy your hunts out there, and learn.

Joe

[flinger]

if you are truly concerned these things actually work really well



 e3 ScentPrevent™ Field Wash Cloth (20ct)
 
Dead Down Wind’s bioengineered enzyme technology prevents and terminates odor molecules including human, smoke, and gas. It is the last line of defense against any alarming contaminant scent a hunter may acquire before and during the hunt. For best results, use the full ScentPrevent system of laundry, body and field products. Shake well before using. l

[robescc]

I use the Dead Down Wind wipes and love them.  I too hike in 3-5 miles to my hunting spots and I sweat a lot.

[hoyt5199]

Like everyone else says, pay attention to the wind. Ihave scent lock, took a shower in the scent soaps and use detergent on my camo and still have been busted. The wind is key! Good luck

[WSU]

I have zero confidence in any of the scent lok type stuff, including sprays, wipes, cover scents, etc.  Bottom line is we smell like humans, and the only sure-fire way to keep an animal from smelling you is to stay down wind and keep your scent from getting to the animal.

[yorketransport]

Thanks everyone. I was thinking about trying Scent Lok, then I found the story about them getting sued and decided to steer clear. I never thought that the stuff would be a magic scent eliminator. But I thought it might help. Then I found out how expensive that stuff was and decided it isn't worth it. The biggest improvement I ever saw as far as scent control was when I started using a cover scent. I never believed that it made me "invisible", it just helped cover my mistakes when I got sloppy with the wind. I did start seeing more animals instead of hearing them as the run away.

Andrew

[wapiti hunter2]

Look into the X Scent, X static line of clothing and base layers.  I love mine and I sweat like a pig.  I have several pair and wash one set each night in camp.  They use silver fiber to kill body odor bacteria. The more you research the product the more you will like it.  They are very affordable and is even available in some things at Wal-Mart.  Here is a quick link to get you started.  Just google X Static or X Scent.

http://www.bkkenterprises.com/xscent_products.htm

[HoofsandWings]

I have heard that if you stop eating meat 2 weeks prior and go on a vegetarian diet, the scent is much less offensive to the deer.
I heard this at a seminar by the author of blacktail hunting techniques at the Puyallup show.