Scents Question for White Tails????

[colockumelk]

I am somewhat new to the tree stand hunting realm.  My question is this.  Does using scents seem to work for you guys.  Does the use of doe in estrus scents actually work?  I've heard about guys walking around their stand with a drag cloth and then climbing into their stand.  Or hanging scent wicks etc.  Has anyone seen for a fact that the scent thing actually brought a deer in.  I see on tv that some of the tv personalities say they use them but I have never actually seen them use them on their shows.  Any advice about using scents or actual stories about if they worked or not.  Thanks. 

[gaddy]

check out Kains thread ( i bought some pee pee) under the hunting. sounds like it works.

[colockumelk]

Thanks Gaddy I checked his thread and it was all about Blacktails.  I should have been more specific.  I'm wondering about Whitetails since that's all I have to hunt here in NY.  I will fix the heading.  Thanks Gaddy.

[MuleySniper]

Im leaving to go hunt white tails on Friday. Sounds like the same situation as you. First time tree stand, etc. I plan on using scent. So far from what Ive heard the rut is slow or hasn't really picked up yet. Im hoping there all worked up for when I get there I use black tail urine around my local cameras here on the west. Ive put out scent and literally had bucks stomp out of the bushes minutes later. Not sure why it wouldn't help with white tails! I'll be using buck bombs in the a.m. then hang some wicks later in the day that I can refresh. I'm taking a week so I don't have any problem experimenting. Good luck!
MS

[Machias]

I used some scents back in MO.  I have alot of time spent in whitetail treestands.  I did not rely on scents, I relied on #1 stand locations in funnels, #2 stand locations downwind of multiple trail crossings, #3 stand locations downwind of doe bedding areas.  I like scents to slow or stop a buck in a shooting lane, but I never relied on the scent to bring them in.  I have heard of plenty of guys having scents draw them in, but I personally don't think it's the magic bullet.  I relied more on location, rattling and grunting.  My favorite location is a necked down funnel location with water at my back and the wind in my face, dynamite location for a big ol buck.

[CAMPMEAT]

I've never used scents. To me, it's just a selling hype. Spray that stuff all over you and a human will still emit an odd odor to any animal. I don't care what the mfgrs say. You just sprayed down after riding in a truck with car freshners in it or an ashtray full of cig butts. Or dog hair from the trusty dog. Some guys will disagree, but, I wouldn't waste my time with it.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Like Machias said. I have primarily used scents to stop a buck in a location that allows for me to get a shot. When I have used them it has always been in conjuction with a existing or mock scrape

[huntnnw]

I have used drags..I have had bucks come in on a rope on my trail....the best scent IMHO is a tarsal gland off a buck. If your grunting and a buck decides to come in...hes going to get downwind as he approaches..he better smell a buck or hes going to get suspicious. I also use a white feather tied on a branch about 4 ft off the ground..the feather blows easily in the wind and a buck gets close enough in the timber he might pick up the flickering of white which looks like that of a deer tail

[Elkslayer]

I tried "Tinks 69" during late season up here one year, hung two bottles up. All it did was spook all the animals. Any deer coming through the area started snorting and stomping there feet. Took it down and the next day not a problem. 

[huntnnw]

another thing to do is if ya find a active scrape somewhere..take the dirt and put in another scrape in a different area

[colockumelk]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Machias I will have to look for a place that you described. I am right now relying
On stand location which is where some good trails intersect just outside or just inside a bedding area. I was just hoping maybe the scents would lure them in. I missed a 3 pt yesterday. 

[Machias]

Bummer! 
I have had friends have the same experience that huntnnw described, I've just never had that kind of luck with scents.  But I've also never had any spook.  I do like to use a tarsal gland when I can get one.  Great idea on the dirt from one scrap to another, I'll have to try that one!! 
One of my all time best stands, I had to use hip waders to cross a shallow swamp at the end of a lake.  I would hit the far shorline and cut north to my stand.  Any south or southwest wind was blowing my scent out over the lake and since I came in along the shore there was no scent trail into my stand.  I killed a couple of really nice bucks out of that stand and since it was in a bedding area I had action all day long.  I never went near it if the wind was anything other than s or sw.

[Miles]

I tried "Tinks 69" during late season up here one year, hung two bottles up. All it did was spook all the animals. Any deer coming through the area started snorting and stomping there feet. Took it down and the next day not a problem.

It may depend on the area.  I've hunted an active scrape line in NH and put some Tinks 69 on cotton balls over/beside the scrapes.  I walked in the next day and shot the buck standing right beside one.

[jager]

x2 on the tarsal gland!
All of the commercial scents I've smelled have an unnatural ammonia type odor. That tells me that it's "stale".
I've never smelled any commercially produced or bottled scent that has smelled like it actually came from a deer. 

[jnevs23]

100% on board for scents for me. The day that sold me i accidently spilled a bottle of estrus on the porch of the cabin we were renting.  Went to get some something out of the truck before bed and almost hit a 4 point with the door.  He was on the porch nose to the ground.  Ran 50 yards then woulnt leave.  I have had bucks stop chasing a doe to come get a look at what he smelled. I always hang wicks during the rut and i have a lot of confidence in it.