Post by: Dbax129 on February 24, 2013, 08:40:01 AM
Post by: CAM38 on February 24, 2013, 08:48:19 AM
Post by: Button Nubbs on February 24, 2013, 09:01:48 AM
Post by: suga on February 24, 2013, 09:11:00 AM
Baby wipes and bum showers. Bring some scent free soap, a gallon milk jug and a towel. Very refreshing every couple days. Scent free baby wipe bath before headin out every morning. Of course scent free spray too, I also like to use some natural stuff like pine and fir boughs. Don't wear your huntin clothes at camp, change before you leave and as soon as you get back.:yeah: I use Adventure Medical Kits Fresh Bath Wipes - a little bigger, and thicker. Can use one for the whole body.
Post by: LBES on February 24, 2013, 09:12:30 AM
In the early season I cover my buddies with cow elk urine, sometimes I'll steal there hat or coat and spray it down. But if you're hunting modern I would suggest asking them to use a ton of cover spray as often as they can; dead down wind is good.
Post by: Sawbuck on February 24, 2013, 10:05:24 AM
Post by: elksnout on February 24, 2013, 10:22:02 AM
Post by: steeleywhopper on February 24, 2013, 05:04:21 PM
Post by: Dan-o on February 24, 2013, 05:16:34 PM
Unless you're too tired to take are of a downed elk, in which case: ALWAYS hunt down wind..... 8)
Post by: Button Nubbs on February 24, 2013, 06:30:36 PM
ALWAYS hunt upwind...... :tup:
Unless you're too tired to take are of a downed elk, in which case: ALWAYS hunt down wind..... 8)
Sorry, never too tired for that. Hurts soooo good...
Post by: JPhelps on February 24, 2013, 06:43:13 PM
Post by: RB on February 24, 2013, 07:08:05 PM
I pay ZERO attention to scent control and ALWAYS pay attention to the wind.:yeah:
I shower pretty much every night and am stinking like a madman by noon the next day no matter how few layers I have on due to hiking uphill into the wind. I just plain old sweat as soon as I get off the road and start walking. Wind is your friend and enemy I have walked literally within spitting distance of Elk with the wind in my face and been busted 100 yards out with wind at my back. Their noses are much more keen than ours :twocents:
Post by: JLS on February 24, 2013, 07:13:16 PM
I pay ZERO attention to scent control and ALWAYS pay attention to the wind.
Agreed completely. You can do all the voodoo you want your clothes, sleep in a bin of fir boughs, eat pine cones, etc., and as soon as you break a sweat you've completely undone everything. Not to mention when you shart yourself in the morning during your hike in.
Post by: kentrek on February 24, 2013, 07:14:32 PM
i use the scent free wipes mostly for protection from my own nose
Post by: bearpaw on February 24, 2013, 07:18:05 PM
Post by: grundy53 on February 24, 2013, 07:22:54 PM
I pay ZERO attention to scent control and ALWAYS pay attention to the wind.
:yeah: I don't care how sent free you think you are a deer or elk will smell you if you are up wind of them.
Post by: grundy53 on February 24, 2013, 07:24:10 PM
campfires are one of the biggest enemies
I disagree. Smoke is actually a pretty good cover sent. It is natural and doesn't spook animals. However like Jason said it's all about the wind.
Post by: kentrek on February 24, 2013, 07:25:15 PM
campfires are one of the biggest enemies
I disagree. Smoke is actually a pretty good cover sent. It is natural and doesn't spook animals. However like Jason said it's all about the wind.
the world will never know
Post by: Sliverslinger on February 24, 2013, 07:34:17 PM
Post by: JLS on February 24, 2013, 07:35:37 PM
Post by: JPhelps on February 24, 2013, 07:42:45 PM
Post by: ellensburgpo on February 24, 2013, 07:45:35 PM
And stay away from the Mountain House Chili Mac :yike:
:yeah: solid advice right there to lower your "scent profile"
Post by: JLS on February 24, 2013, 07:48:46 PM
And stay away from the Mountain House Chili Mac :yike:
:yeah: solid advice right there to lower your "scent profile"
I'm more worried about self-induced asphyxiation :o
Post by: JLS on February 24, 2013, 07:53:15 PM
The first time I ate MH Chili Mac, I woke up in the middle of the night and rolled over in my bag. I caught a whiff and almost hurled. My wife was probably laughing to herself when that happened.
Post by: dscubame on February 24, 2013, 07:58:15 PM
I pay ZERO attention to scent control and ALWAYS pay attention to the wind.
:yeah: And the campfire is a good cover scent. They burn the woods in ID where I go.
Post by: dreamunelk on February 24, 2013, 08:21:58 PM
I pay ZERO attention to scent control and ALWAYS pay attention to the wind.
:yeah: I don't care how sent free you think you are a deer or elk will smell you if you are up wind of them.
:yeah: Pretty much sums it up. Simply amazing how much people spend on marketing gimmicks.
Post by: huntnnw on February 25, 2013, 12:12:19 AM
I pay ZERO attention to scent control and ALWAYS pay attention to the wind.
:yeah: theres nothing your going to control on the ground with elk with the wrong wind
Post by: Dbax129 on February 25, 2013, 06:55:32 AM
Post by: Dbax129 on February 25, 2013, 06:59:00 AM
Post by: grundy53 on February 25, 2013, 08:00:35 AM
Wow, thank you. So playing the wind is way more important. Does that mean I shouldn't use cover scents at all, or just that I should never rely on them... This is my first year elk hunting, so you're advice here has the opportunity to shape my wee little hunting mind before I develop bad habits. :hello: If I should be using something, other than wind checkers, should it be the neutralizing spray or elk urine? again, sounds like maybe nothing at all from so many highly experienced hunters.
You can use whatever cover scent/neutralizer you want. Just don't rely on it. The only way to 100% beat an elks nose is to stay down wind from him.
Post by: couesbitten on February 25, 2013, 08:53:25 AM
Post by: washelkhunter on February 25, 2013, 09:18:06 AM
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on February 25, 2013, 09:34:06 AM
I pay ZERO attention to scent control and ALWAYS pay attention to the wind.
Not to mention when you shart yourself in the morning during your hike in.
God that's the worst.
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on February 25, 2013, 09:38:23 AM
after reading this over again, ZERO is a pretty clear number on how much I should worry about scent control. :chuckle: Thanks again guys! Anything I should be looking for in a wind checker? It's just a bottle of powder that poofs and floats away right?
That's the best thing for scent control. Elk are hunted year round by other predators besides humans and they don't use any scent control products.
Post by: Sliverslinger on February 25, 2013, 08:12:01 PM
after reading this over again, ZERO is a pretty clear number on how much I should worry about scent control. :chuckle: Thanks again guys! Anything I should be looking for in a wind checker? It's just a bottle of powder that poofs and floats away right?
I used to by the chalk powder bottles that are marketed as wind indicator chalk. Now I just use finely ground corn starch. It works just as good and is dirt cheap.
Post by: elkhunter00 on February 25, 2013, 08:32:42 PM
Post by: LBES on February 25, 2013, 08:38:08 PM
I pay ZERO attention to scent control and ALWAYS pay attention to the wind.
Agreed completely. You can do all the voodoo you want your clothes, sleep in a bin of fir boughs, eat pine cones, etc., and as soon as you break a sweat you've completely undone everything. Not to mention when you shart yourself in the morning during your hike in.
I disagree, you guys must not use scent lock?.. I'm not arguing with you about the wind, but I pay attention to both: scent and wind. Why not use every advantage you can?
Post by: LBES on February 25, 2013, 08:42:06 PM
I read an article on Field and Stream that said that cover scents don't work. They tested them with dogs and could not fool them. And deer and elk have better sniffers than dogs.
I agree, to a point, there are some cover scents that don't work well. But, there are different types of scents and different types of scent control... for example, silver based scent control kills scent from bacterial growth. Then there are scent products that break up the molecular structure of the "bad" scents.
Post by: huntnnw on February 25, 2013, 09:42:56 PM
Post by: JLS on February 25, 2013, 09:47:32 PM
I read an article on Field and Stream that said that cover scents don't work. They tested them with dogs and could not fool them. And deer and elk have better sniffers than dogs.
I agree, to a point, there are some cover scents that don't work well. But, there are different types of scents and different types of scent control... for example, silver based scent control kills scent from bacterial growth. Then there are scent products that break up the molecular structure of the "bad" scents.
All the silver does is keep your shirt from stinking as bad as you do when you're wearing it.
Post by: Dbax129 on February 25, 2013, 09:57:26 PM
Post by: huntnnw on February 25, 2013, 10:04:51 PM
Post by: madmack76 on February 25, 2013, 10:11:27 PM
Post by: LBES on February 25, 2013, 10:30:49 PM
U tell me about scent control after showering, soaps and sprays after hiking 3 hrs in the dark to a known elk spot :chuckle:
I'm new on here, and not interested in calling out a veteran on the site. But, all I'm saying is that I use as much advantage as I can. I buy all the scent wash soaps and start showering with it 2-3 days before I leave. Does it work? Who knows... I guess I'm the odd one out. But if I'm paying that much attention to it, chances are I'm not hurting my chances.
BTW, ever fart in your scentlok gear?.. can't smell a thing can you - it works!
Maybe I'm wasting my money, but you can't blame me for not supporting the economy :chuckle:
Post by: j_h_nimrod on February 25, 2013, 10:38:14 PM
One reason people stink so badly is that they shower and wash heavily way to frequently (1-3 times daily). Our bodies, like the rest of the animal population (excluding fish, marine mammals, and a few other exceptions) have evolved not being in water and washing more than absolutely necessary. This frequent washing is more of a mental need than a hygienic one, I am not saying to stop showering but don't over do it either. I have spent more time remote in the woods away from amenities than probably 99.99% of Americans today and have seen the way the body reacts to more moderate washing over extended periods. Diet also plays a large role on how you smell, not just flatulance but constituents in the food you eat that actually change the way your body and sweat smell.
My thoughts, take them for what you will
Ps - if you are looking for all advantages, get rid of the stick and string for hunting.
Post by: huntnnw on February 25, 2013, 11:14:47 PM
Post by: sakoshooter on February 26, 2013, 02:47:39 AM
Watch the wind.
That's the bottom line.
Post by: LowRange on February 26, 2013, 05:41:47 AM
Comes down to the swirling wind in my view,camp fire smoke is something all animals are used to being around.
Here in the Yakima area the best sure fire thing that always works for me is just go to youre favorite stand and make a noise like a bale of hay!
Works most every time.
I have to say that this thread is right up there with the Bigfoot thread. Good for a chuckle. :chuckle:
Post by: Dbax129 on February 26, 2013, 09:52:49 PM
here is a link to the product at lowes http://www.lowes.com/pd_104368-355-47-806_0__?productId=3362936&Ntt=empty+chalk+bottle&Ns=p_product_price|0 (http://www.lowes.com/pd_104368-355-47-806_0__?productId=3362936&Ntt=empty+chalk+bottle&Ns=p_product_price|0)
Real cheap, like me. Anybody use this? I have loads of it around, but black and red might be a little bit too permanent. purple i think just blows away...
Post by: JLS on February 26, 2013, 09:56:38 PM
Post by: Stizz on February 27, 2013, 09:07:26 AM
I've noticed that when it comes to playing the scent game, its not just about scent, its about scent concentration too. Look at the difference between being winded at 100 yards vs 10 yards. I've had elk wind me at a couple hundred yards, in which case they just became noticeably nervous and just headed in the opposite direction. In one such instance I was able to make a big circle and cut downwind of those elk and stick the bull of the group a couple hundred yards from where they winded me at...and they were completely calm when they came within range.
On the other hand, think of when an elk winds you at 10 yards. It's that explosive panic that sends them running for the next county! Game over... You know they just got a big noseful and knew you were right there.
That brings me to the argument that I believe while scent killers aren't going to "kill" your scent, they will help reduce the conecntration or potency of your scent, which may make the difference between a nervous animal and a fleeing animal that becomes effectively unhuntable.
Putting this to use in camp I just try to keep my camo on only when neccesary, and I like to store them in some vegetation outside when possible. Maybe there's something to it, maybe there's not...but thats my :twocents:
Post by: Broken Arrow on February 27, 2013, 09:15:46 AM