Question about scent control in the early archery season. should be a hot one.

[krapmit]

I've mostly elk hunted with a bow out of tree stands for cows and spikes in the Nile for the many years I've hunted. I drew the archery Observatory any bull tag this year.  My question is, when its 90 degrees out and you've been hiking and sweating like a pig, how much it will effect you success on closing the gap on a mature bull.  I understand that wind plays a factor, but I imagine, all the scent killer in the world will not help out a guy who is drenched in sweat.

Anyone have experiences with this, advice or an opinion on how this will affect the hunt.

Thanks a lot for the replays.   

[krapmit]

squirting a lil cow piss can help.  But I'm curious if other folks feel about the hunt being effected.

[sirmissalot]

It doesn't really matter how much scent control you use, you always have to play the wind no matter what. Sure it will be worse being drenched in sweat and stink. Not much else you can do on an archery elk hunt in September though. Whether you're set up calling, or making a stalk, you're gonna have to watch the wind. Bring some scent control wipes and try to keep the stench to a minimum is about the best you can do.

[washelkhunter]

When its that hot i usually do all my lookin fer the critters after dark. Its much cooler then.   If i have to be out during the day ill seek out an active wallow and roll around in that till im well coated. Best cover scent ever, and i even believe it acts as an attractant.   

[PolarBear]

You can't always play the wind, those who say so are kidding themselves.  Do the best that you can do to keep your stink down use crushed fir needles as cover and try and stay down wind if you can.

[coachcw]

I've shot close to thirty elk with a bow and  I cant once remember shooting one when it was down wind . no matter how hard you try something about you or your gear with smell wrong . I don't like cover scent on me because I wanna smell them if I can . But sure take measures to keep your scent down if for nothing else your buddies ridding in the truck.

[krapmit]

Thanks for the input. During the mid day heat, I'm just planning on getting in some thick stuff near water and sitting on well used trail. No reason to sit in the truck when i can take a break and possibly get some elk moving through

[dreamingbig]

Wind doesn't play a factor, it IS the factor.  Keep the wind in your face and don't worry about the rest.  You can wear clothing/layers that will help you with temp control and minimize stink but you can't hunt with the wind at your back.  Good luck.

[coachcw]

yep hunt dark to dark !

[MR5x5]

Hunting with the wind at your back is called "Exercise".

[dblungshot]

Wind doesn't play a factor, it IS the factor.  Keep the wind in your face and don't worry about the rest.  You can wear clothing/layers that will help you with temp control and minimize stink but you can't hunt with the wind at your back.  Good luck.

DreamingB - perfect
Hunting with others who wear cover scent (estrus piss, etc) is a major pet peave of mine.  If my brother would stop dumping the entire bottle on his body every year it probably wouldn't of been a pet peave of mine.  Sneaking through the woods and finally getting that whiff of elk makes my heart rate increase and the sounds of snapping twigs following helps to continue the HR increase....until I realize and see it's my humpty dumpty brother sneaking through the woods which I wish would fall flat on his face.  Not only that but sitting around the fire trying to eat/relax and sleeping near the dude makes it that much more annoying...He's gotten better and now uses wafers...that's my first request when I get back to camp (take them off).  I don't mind the smell of cow piss but don't enjoy having it through an IV or up my nose 24/7.

The only cover i've worn is pine scent wafers...I haven't used them for a couple years now.  Don't really think it matters.  I use scent wipes each morning and take bird baths much as possible.  I also change clothes and rotate clothes...Merino Wool really helps decrease BO due to the antimicrobial factors.  I also spray down with scent killer before heading into a "good area".  It's impossible to be scent free.  Wind is the descision maker.

[Recurve-Elk]

Okay well here is my take on the matter.  Many will probably disagree.  I don't think that scent control is very important, I also think that it is very overrated.  Here is why.  Even with all the scent killer or elk pee in the world, you are still going to smell like a human, you just can't hide it.  Animals have such a keen sense of smell it is pretty much impossible to get rid of the smell.  This is why paying attention to the wind is one of the most important things you can do.  Who cares if you stink, if the wind is in your face! 

However all of this isn't to say that you shouldn't make an effort to reduce your smell.  I keep myself clean, (granted I don't sweat much), I also spray down with a fresh earth scent killer before I head out on every hunt. I also tend to hang my clothes in the wind to help them air out.  Aside from that I use a scentless deodorant/antiperspirant.  That's about it, the wind is your best and worst friend.   

[Recurve-Elk]

I don't like cover scent on me because I wanna smell them if I can

This in addition to my own ethics is why I don't use attractants like elk pee. 

[brianmtsinc]

You can't always play the wind, those who say so are kidding themselves.  Do the best that you can do to keep your stink down use crushed fir needles as cover and try and stay down wind if you can.

I completely agree!  When I was new to archery hunting, I spent YEARS trying to figure out how to hunt with the "wind on my nose" all of time.  I spent more time turning myself into the wind and walking away from animals than anything else.   

What I have learned in my 20+ years of archery elk hunting is that smell IS important, but when you are hunting during the rut, the rules sometimes change!  Last year we killed 3 elk, in one canyon, 50 - 120 yards away from each other within a two day period.  After the 1st kill we had 8 guys walking all over this canyon tracking this elk.  Later that night, elk were in our tracks, and another one fell the next morning.  They could have cared less about our sent.   

With that said, I DO spray down with earth sent or sent neutralizer every time I head out, but I know that elk may smell you and still come right in when the rut is on!!     

[Elkpiss]

Dude-- All you need is good wind, personally a little scent killer cant hurt but dont believe what anyone tells you, just have wind at your face and you can smell like a turd sandwich and call in a bull...     

Wind is everything when your calling in bulls close....