Post by: CJ1962 on September 27, 2017, 05:57:42 PM
Enjoy
http://www.downsouthhunting.com/down-south-hunting-podcast-episode-013-scent-control-debate-part-1/
http://www.downsouthhunting.com/south-hunting-podcast-episode-014-scent-control-strategy-comparison-w-dan-infalt-john-eberhart-part-2/
http://www.downsouthhunting.com/south-hunting-podcast-episode-015-scent-control-strategy-comparison-w-dan-infalt-john-eberhart-part-3/
Post by: Dan-o on September 27, 2017, 06:11:32 PM
There is no debate....... PLEASE start practicing scent control. Do it for the children.
(are you back yet? I know where some elk are.)
Post by: fishnfur on September 27, 2017, 07:42:36 PM
Post by: Stein on September 27, 2017, 08:08:50 PM
Post by: CJ1962 on September 28, 2017, 04:42:45 AM
Carl,
There is no debate....... PLEASE start practicing scent control. Do it for the children.
(are you back yet? I know where some elk are.)
I was back for the whole Archery Elk season. Had some chances, but struck out. Might be home for rifle deer season, but just for the weekend.
Post by: CJ1962 on September 28, 2017, 04:43:21 AM
Thanks, I'll check 'em out. In the mean time .........
They talk about this. Neither are that impressed.
Post by: Stein on September 28, 2017, 06:50:14 AM
He had a dog that sniffed out a drug package hidden in a tank of gas.
I wonder if deer smell that way. If so, all of the cover scents would be completely worthless.
Post by: vandeman17 on September 28, 2017, 06:55:05 AM
Post by: Okanagan on September 28, 2017, 08:44:30 AM
I am guilty of using scent control sprays, detergent etc but I still think playing the wind/thermals is paramount. I have gotten much better over the years of not only being aware of them but planning my every move based on them. I will hike an extra mile to get the wind right versus trusting my scent control in an unfavorable wind. :twocents:
Ditto on hiking waaay around to hunt a place with the wind right. I have some places where I have a different plan and hunt approach depending on which way the wind is blowing.
Directly on topic: If you think scent control spray or clothes etc. work, use them by all means because anything that ups our confidence helps.
However, IMO scent control is impossible with current technology and is no more than a lucrative scam, though some of the sellers probably believe their own hype. I admit that I may overreact to this topic! A hermetically sealed rebreather spacesuit that contains your breath and every molecule that leaves you skin might have possibilities, except that the suit material itself has some kind of odor. If scent control worked, drug dealers would wrap their shipments in a scent control jacket or bag and be home free.
The stories given as evidence that scent control works are downright funny. Last Fall I had a mule deer doe come off of a clearcut hillside onto an abandoned road with me, downwind of me, within 15 yards. She looked at me a few times but mostly just walked on her way up the road. I could say, "WOW! She did not smell me and my camo was so good that she did not even see me standing in the open inside of 15 yards. WOW! This stuff really works!"
In my early days of calling critters to my bow, I went fanatical about scent control: washing clothes scent free, bagging them sealed with sage or pine boughs, scrubbing myself, washing again after I left my vehicle and changing clothes from skin out before a short non-sweaty walk to a stand, etc. I concluded that maybe I could surprise a coyote by the different or lack of scent for a few seconds, probably less than 5 seconds of double take body language on his part, maybe a bit more sometimes. I don't think that the animal could not smell me but rather that it was an unusual smell coming from a human.
Let's see: my grandson killed a huge bull elk with his bow last year at 4 yards. I have called coyotes inside of 18 inches, powder burned my first bull elk, lynx inside of 6 feet, a fox inside of 12 inches, black bear at a dozen feet, a 175 class mule deer killed within 40 feet, had a blacktail spike sniff of my boots as I sat by a deer trail, and my son called a bull moose to within touching distance (not a good idea by the way). All of this without scent control clothes nor gear.
Again, if you have confidence in it, use it.
Post by: JeffRaines on September 28, 2017, 09:04:47 AM
I am guilty of using scent control sprays, detergent etc but I still think playing the wind/thermals is paramount. I have gotten much better over the years of not only being aware of them but planning my every move based on them. I will hike an extra mile to get the wind right versus trusting my scent control in an unfavorable wind. :twocents:
Ditto on hiking waaay around to hunt a place with the wind right. I have some places where I have a different plan and hunt approach depending on which way the wind is blowing.
Directly on topic: If you think scent control spray or clothes etc. work, use them by all means because anything that ups our confidence helps.
However, IMO scent control is impossible with current technology and is no more than a lucrative scam, though some of the sellers probably believe their own hype. I admit that I may overreact to this topic! A hermetically sealed rebreather spacesuit that contains your breath and every molecule that leaves you skin might have possibilities, except that the suit material itself has some kind of odor. If scent control worked, drug dealers would wrap their shipments in a scent control jacket or bag and be home free.
The stories given as evidence that scent control works are downright funny. Last Fall I had a mule deer doe come off of a clearcut hillside onto an abandoned road with me, downwind of me, within 15 yards. She looked at me a few times but mostly just walked on her way up the road. I could say, "WOW! She did not smell me and my camo was so good that she did not even see me standing in the open inside of 15 yards. WOW! This stuff really works!"
In my early days of calling critters to my bow, I went fanatical about scent control: washing clothes scent free, bagging them sealed with sage or pine boughs, scrubbing myself, washing again after I left my vehicle and changing clothes from skin out before a short non-sweaty walk to a stand, etc. I concluded that maybe I could surprise a coyote by the different or lack of scent for a few seconds, probably less than 5 seconds of double take body language on his part, maybe a bit more sometimes. I don't think that the animal could not smell me but rather that it was an unusual smell coming from a human.
Let's see: my grandson killed a huge bull elk with his bow last year at 4 yards. I have called coyotes inside of 18 inches, powder burned my first bull elk, lynx inside of 6 feet, a fox inside of 12 inches, black bear at a dozen feet, a 175 class mule deer killed within 40 feet, had a blacktail spike sniff of my boots as I sat by a deer trail, and my son called a bull moose to within touching distance (not a good idea by the way). All of this without scent control clothes nor gear.
Again, if you have confidence in it, use it.
I agree completely. I don't have near the experience that you do, but one thing has always stood out to me... what about our breath? Yeah, you can use some special scent killing toothpaste I guess, but that doesn't take away the fact that our breath is still going to smell unlike anything out there. Even if you use that stuff, what happens an hour later when the natural bacteria in our mouths have repopulated somewhat and are causing an odor again? Same thing for scent killing body wash.
We should take two guys in a season, one of them uses scent control and the other doesn't, have the scent control guy ignore the wind entirely while hunting(because scent control) and the other guy who's wearing regular deodorant, who has eaten something in his hunting clothes and kept them in a scented area, plays the wind. I know who I'm betting on.
Post by: PolarBear on September 28, 2017, 09:09:02 AM
Post by: Doublelunger on September 28, 2017, 09:22:36 AM
Post by: Okanagan on September 28, 2017, 09:31:19 AM
There are times when you just can't use the wind to your advantage.
You are probably right, but I am close to disagreeing. :)
We can use the wind far more than is generally assumed, and far more than merely hunting upwind. For nose dominant animals, which include ungulates, canines and bears, the wind allows us to predict with high probability what an animal will do, where he will go, etc. Any pattern a hunter can predict about an animal is a huge advantage. I'd do my usual and post a corroborating/example story or two but am giving away too much hard learned info already!
Steady wind in one direction is a hunter's gift, no matter which way it blows. Variable swirling winds are trouble.
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on September 28, 2017, 10:18:41 AM
Post by: rtspring on September 28, 2017, 10:51:05 AM
I never clean my clothes in anything but regular laundry soap, srand around the fire in my hunting clothes, chew gum, smoke, wear deodorant and so on amd so forth.
I have been involved in 100 plus elk kils and probably twice that in deer kills. Get that wind in your face and you will be fine.. I do agree to try and limit unatural scents, but there are far better hunting things to spend money on..
Post by: boneaddict on September 28, 2017, 11:00:29 AM
Post by: bigmacc on September 28, 2017, 11:12:59 AM
Scent control is a billion dollar business! Biggest ripoff in the world. The one thing you cannot hide is your breath. If you dont have wind in your face, then you had best move to get it in your face no matter what.. I have 30 years hunting experience and never try to COVER up my scent. Oh and I smoke whenever and where ever.
I never clean my clothes in anything but regular laundry soap, srand around the fire in my hunting clothes, chew gum, smoke, wear deodorant and so on amd so forth.
I have been involved in 100 plus elk kils and probably twice that in deer kills. Get that wind in your face and you will be fine.. I do agree to try and limit unatural scents, but there are far better hunting things to spend money on..
I 100% agree with rt, I,m not a smoker but I pretty much go about my hunting trips the same way and I've been doing it for over 50years, the family for over 100 years, been very successful. "Keep the wind in your face and if its not you better get it there!" This was pumped into me from the age of 5, and yes, lots better "hunting stuff" to spend my money on... :twocents:
Post by: Skyvalhunter on September 28, 2017, 11:17:17 AM
Post by: OutHouse on September 28, 2017, 11:21:21 AM
Of course, using the wind to one's advantage is the best bet but like someone else said, that's not always possible. I think if you're gonna use the products you have to use all of them. I de-scent everything I possibly can, then let everything sit outside to soak up the woods smell. The last two deer I harvested were shot with my scent carrying directly toward the animal (bow and muzzy). One from a few years ago was with a group of 5 other bucks and none of them alerted to me. Can't speak for everyone else's experience, but for me I know without a doubt those products work if applied properly.
Post by: 92xj on September 28, 2017, 11:35:10 AM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on September 28, 2017, 11:59:26 AM
I also won't sit in my whitetail stands with a bad wind. No matter what scent control you do with sprays or wips or detergent it won't eliminate all of your odors. But if it helps a bit and can buy me a few seconds that may be just enough to seal the deal.
Post by: fishnfur on September 28, 2017, 01:11:18 PM
There are times when you just can't use the wind to your advantage.
.......Any pattern a hunter can predict about an animal is a huge advantage. I'd do my usual and post a corroborating/example story or two but am giving away too much hard learned info already!
Quit being a tease Okanagan. Give up the goods!
Post by: fishnfur on September 28, 2017, 01:38:59 PM
Western WA commercial forests are literally covered in the stuff. Questions remain whether those deer:
1) associate the smell of the oil as normal non-threatening smell
2) associate the smell of oil on people in the woods to mean they're not out there hunting for deer
or 3) have their olfactory senses overwhelmed by the smell of the oil
Does any of this matter? Is bar and chain oil an effective scent control? How would your spouse like it if you came home smelling of oil instead of deer urine? :yike:
Also, has anyone researched the science behind scent? I have tried. The best explanation I've seen was that scent particles literally fall off us as we walk through the woods. Perhaps it is dead skin cells or some such thing, but the fact that a deer can smell that you walked down a trail (and touched nothing) hours or days after the fact tells me that there's something to this idea.
Post by: boneaddict on September 28, 2017, 01:47:57 PM
I think Mythbusters answered this pretty well. They had a guy in a protective suit and boots and everything. The dog smelled him easily. I have heard (for bear hunting at least) to chew mint gum. That hasn't worked so far this year haha. I used to bag my clothes up with vegetation and use special detergent and dryer sheets. I think I felt more confident but I don't think I was fooling anyone or anything else.
No, you chew bacon 🥓
Post by: tonymiller7 on September 28, 2017, 03:38:13 PM
Thanks, I'll check 'em out. In the mean time .........
Post by: CJ1962 on September 28, 2017, 04:36:38 PM
I wonder if deer smell that way. If so, all of the cover scents would be completely worthless.
According to the pod cast deer sense of smell is like a dogs. So if you use a cover scent they smell the cover scent and you. If you spilled gasoline on yourself, they would smell gasoline and you.
Post by: CJ1962 on September 28, 2017, 04:41:25 PM
I think Mythbusters answered this pretty well. They had a guy in a protective suit and boots and everything. The dog smelled him easily. I have heard (for bear hunting at least) to chew mint gum. That hasn't worked so far this year haha. I used to bag my clothes up with vegetation and use special detergent and dryer sheets. I think I felt more confident but I don't think I was fooling anyone or anything else.They talk about this as well in the podcast. Discovery took the show down from their website based on a threat of lawsuit from Scent Locker. They also talk about a lawsuit that Scent Locker won (on appeal) against some hunters from Minnesota. And a study that Rutgers University as part of that lawsuit.
Post by: Okanagan on September 28, 2017, 05:03:04 PM
The last two deer I harvested were shot with my scent carrying directly toward the animal (bow and muzzy). One from a few years ago was with a group of 5 other bucks and none of them alerted to me. Can't speak for everyone else's experience, but for me I know without a doubt those products work if applied properly.
I have shot a lot of game downwind of me, where I wanted them to be, with bow and rifle. I don't use scent stuff and don't bother with my super clean natural scent efforts anymore. This is getting into the tease stuff that fishnfur ribbed me about. :) I'm not saying that your scent control did not work, merely that there may be another explanation for shooting an animal directly downwind other than that he did not smell you. The fact is that you shot it downwind of you. The hows and whys and whether the animal could or did smell you are speculation, including my comments.
Re scent of oil, gasoline and loggers: a faller friend on the Peninsula told me that every day when he fired up his chainsaw several blacktails showed up, including some bucks, and they followed him around to get the moss that grows in treetops. Deer love it, and a faller serves it up more consistently than wind storms do. A faller on the east side Okanogen many years ago told me the same about mule deer in one place he worked. That's a sometimes thing with loggers and fallers, not always.
Post by: Stein on September 28, 2017, 05:03:46 PM
I wonder if deer smell that way. If so, all of the cover scents would be completely worthless.
According to the pod cast deer sense of smell is like a dogs. So if you use a cover scent they smell the cover scent and you. If you spilled gasoline on yourself, they would smell gasoline and you.
That's what I figured, the nature equivalent of someone dropping the bomb and then spraying spring lilac over the top of it. Nobody is fooled.
Post by: Seabass on September 28, 2017, 05:30:41 PM
Obviously scent is going to spread the farther away it gets, it will also dissipate, fluff doesn't spread but it always amazes me where it ends up even when it seems that it would obviously go one way or the other.
Being elevated changes everything as well...so there is that to consider as well.
Post by: OutHouse on September 29, 2017, 11:01:03 AM
The last two deer I harvested were shot with my scent carrying directly toward the animal (bow and muzzy). One from a few years ago was with a group of 5 other bucks and none of them alerted to me. Can't speak for everyone else's experience, but for me I know without a doubt those products work if applied properly.
I have shot a lot of game downwind of me, where I wanted them to be, with bow and rifle. I don't use scent stuff and don't bother with my super clean natural scent efforts anymore. This is getting into the tease stuff that fishnfur ribbed me about. :) I'm not saying that your scent control did not work, merely that there may be another explanation for shooting an animal directly downwind other than that he did not smell you. The fact is that you shot it downwind of you. The hows and whys and whether the animal could or did smell you are speculation, including my comments.
Re scent of oil, gasoline and loggers: a faller friend on the Peninsula told me that every day when he fired up his chainsaw several blacktails showed up, including some bucks, and they followed him around to get the moss that grows in treetops. Deer love it, and a faller serves it up more consistently than wind storms do. A faller on the east side Okanogen many years ago told me the same about mule deer in one place he worked. That's a sometimes thing with loggers and fallers, not always.
That's a good point. I actually cannot be certain that it was the scent control stuff that helped me on those hunts. There's just way too many factors. However, with regard to the harvest where 5 other bucks were present, I shot the deer at about 8 yards with a bow. The bucks were in a line following one another with my scent pushing right toward them. In that specific instance, I have a hard time believing the scent control didn't work because of the close proximity with many animals present. Another reason I use it is because where I hunt it tends to have a pattern of swirling winds and gusts that push the scent all over the place. A directional, prevailing wind can be rare so I think it's a good area to use scent control.
Post by: OutHouse on September 29, 2017, 11:02:20 AM
The assumption that an animal downwind of you is going to have your scent blow directly into a place he can smell you is purely assumptive. When I'm in my stand and bored enough to jab a broad head into my jugular; I will often times pick out fluff from my fleece and let it ride the wind....tracking it as far as I can see it. It's amazing where that fluff will end up.
Obviously scent is going to spread the farther away it gets, it will also dissipate, fluff doesn't spread but it always amazes me where it ends up even when it seems that it would obviously go one way or the other.
Being elevated changes everything as well...so there is that to consider as well.
Agreed. I cannot be certain but I like to think the stuff works!
Post by: Deerelk37 on September 29, 2017, 12:36:08 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on September 29, 2017, 01:14:09 PM
Otherwise, I've seen the field and stream articles. We flat stink. You can't wrap your whole body in a garbage bag and eliminate scent. I truly believe that an animal like a deer or dog will smell you whether you're covered in deer pee, bar oil, you're own sweat or your deodorant.
Last weekend I watched a cow elk walk by me in wide open timber at 10 yards, I had no scent control, hadn't showered or brushed my teeth, and was wearing old spice original scent. She walked roughly downwind of me, nothing. She passed DIRECTLY downwind of me, I watched her nostrils flare and she bolted. I think even with a full suit of scentlock and pine needles I would've seen the same result there. Due to her proximity, she had to be directly downwind to smell anything, and when she got there I'm sure it was pungent.
The best part about scent control is that you're playing to something that cannot be proven and that people have firm beliefs about. We should really all be in the scent control space. My personal belief is that you stink, you can't help it, and you either play the wind or lose. Any grace you get with an animal moving downwind is likely to occur with or without pine needle scent.
Rant over.
Post by: bigmacc on September 29, 2017, 03:12:51 PM
Post by: bigmacc on September 29, 2017, 05:27:25 PM
Post by: fishnfur on September 29, 2017, 09:02:05 PM
I listened to the Podcasts yesterday. After the first in the series, I pretty much skipped everything John Eberhart said. He's clearly on the Scentlock payroll, and is so extreme in his scent control that I couldn't even imagine trying to attain his hermetically sealed approach to hunting. I pretty much fast forwarded through his interviews about activated carbon.
The interviews with Dan Infalt were really interesting and entirely worth listening to. I recommend everyone give his interview sections a listen. He discusses many of the things that have been noted on this thread,especially swirling and multi-directional winds. Okanagan - this guy seems to think like you. He hunts dirty but plays the wind well. I was so impressed, I went to Amazon and purchased one of his DVDs on how he hunts big WT bucks in their beds.
Good thread!
Post by: LEN on September 30, 2017, 09:35:23 AM
LEN
Post by: Miles on September 30, 2017, 10:05:03 AM
Post by: pope on September 30, 2017, 09:48:46 PM
Post by: 3dvapor on September 30, 2017, 10:46:54 PM
Post by: PolarBear on October 01, 2017, 09:57:19 AM
Post by: boneaddict on October 01, 2017, 10:42:35 AM
Post by: fishnfur on October 01, 2017, 11:19:38 AM
Post by: Cylvertip on October 01, 2017, 12:30:04 PM
However, I have very high confidence in animals not detecting me, or at least not detecting me enough to be scared off by my scent. I have very carefully walked through the middle of a feeding elk herd (20 plus animals) in a clear cut in the Winston during early archery with numerous animals inside 20 yards and the closest being 5yds(which I have pictures of). All was fine until the battery went dead in my camera and it started beeping. Prior to that, the animals knew I was there, but they did not feel I posed a threat. Many more stories like this with elk, deer, and bear, but this one is the best example I think.
In addition to scent control, I think UV control plays a role. I use Sport Wash and UV killer on all of my clothes.
I will do whatever I can to up my odds.
Post by: PolarBear on October 01, 2017, 01:25:22 PM
You know better than that PB:chuckle:
Post by: HunterofWA on October 02, 2017, 04:50:00 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 02, 2017, 06:07:13 PM
Has anybody tried this? https://www.labproven.com/
Typically something that removes scent leaves scent if ever so slightly right? :dunno:
Post by: Alchase on October 02, 2017, 07:15:22 PM
But if you really do want to spend some money, I am thinking of starting a new product called “Clean Air” you can buy it by the bottle and when you want to de-stinkify just open the bottle and pour “Clean Air” on you.
Lifetime Garuntee !!
Post by: pope on October 02, 2017, 09:03:26 PM
:twocents: You cant always play the wind. I take scent control way to seriously, I know that.
However, I have very high confidence in animals not detecting me, or at least not detecting me enough to be scared off by my scent. I have very carefully walked through the middle of a feeding elk herd (20 plus animals) in a clear cut in the Winston during early archery with numerous animals inside 20 yards and the closest being 5yds(which I have pictures of). All was fine until the battery went dead in my camera and it started beeping. Prior to that, the animals knew I was there, but they did not feel I posed a threat. Many more stories like this with elk, deer, and bear, but this one is the best example I think.
In addition to scent control, I think UV control plays a role. I use Sport Wash and UV killer on all of my clothes.
I will do whatever I can to up my odds.
We hear the argument that the elimination of scent is not possible, so why bother? But what about reduction of scent? If reducing scent fools the deer's nose into thinking you are not a close threat, then maybe it's worth the effort.
Post by: Alchase on October 03, 2017, 09:45:15 AM
:twocents: You cant always play the wind. I take scent control way to seriously, I know that.
However, I have very high confidence in animals not detecting me, or at least not detecting me enough to be scared off by my scent. I have very carefully walked through the middle of a feeding elk herd (20 plus animals) in a clear cut in the Winston during early archery with numerous animals inside 20 yards and the closest being 5yds(which I have pictures of). All was fine until the battery went dead in my camera and it started beeping. Prior to that, the animals knew I was there, but they did not feel I posed a threat. Many more stories like this with elk, deer, and bear, but this one is the best example I think.
In addition to scent control, I think UV control plays a role. I use Sport Wash and UV killer on all of my clothes.
I will do whatever I can to up my odds.
We hear the argument that the elimination of scent is not possible, so why bother? But what about reduction of scent? If reducing scent fools the deer's nose into thinking you are not a close threat, then maybe it's worth the effort.
I think the issue is if any product sold, actually does as advertised and reduces or eliminates scent.
I have seen no scientific evidence that any work.
Post by: PolarBear on October 03, 2017, 12:18:48 PM
Post by: HunterofWA on October 06, 2017, 10:53:21 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on October 06, 2017, 12:01:34 PM
Post by: slowhand on December 14, 2017, 02:28:49 PM
Post by: Scuffy on December 14, 2017, 04:12:47 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on December 14, 2017, 04:21:07 PM
In my experience, I never used to wear any type of scent killer and had a mixed bag of getting busted. Then I started using scent killer and at first it seemed to work at masking my scent for the first few years, before it didn’t. I tried different brands at varying levels of application and it seemed like the more I used, the quicker I got busted. I showered with non scented soap, washed my clothes in non scented detergent(my wife has sensitive skin, so all my clothes are washed with non scented detergent), I applied scent killer from the skin to the last layer. Last year, I got busted time and time again until finally I sat in a slash pile in an active logging area(no logging that day) before I finally connected on a good deer. This year I tried a different approach and washed three pairs of clothes two months before the season and sealed them in a plastic bag with pine bows, cedar bows, dirt, and other vegetation from the area I would be hunting. I didn’t get busted one time this year. No scent killer, just native vegetation. Animals have much stronger sense of smell than we do and they also adapt very well to their environment. In my case, perhaps there is a marker in the scent killer they have picked up and recognize as a human scent. When I first began using it, it may have worked because it was foreign and not recognizable as human scent. I don’t know the right answer, but I will continue this year’s findings until it doesn’t seem to work.
I agree. Each time I sit down for a stand, I try to break a few limbs to get some scent going. I also will stop every once in a while when I am hiking, break off a branch and rub it on me a bit. My one quandary that I have yet to solve is the sweat factor in early season. I wear a scent free anti antiperspirant but that just worked for the armpits but not lower back, chest etc.
I still spray my clothes down but very lightly and from a distance then follow it with a rubbing of pine branches. Seems to work pretty well so far.
Post by: lord grizzly on December 14, 2017, 04:46:46 PM
Post by: fishnfur on December 18, 2017, 12:21:22 AM
In my experience, I never used to wear any type of scent killer and had a mixed bag of getting busted. Then I started using scent killer and at first it seemed to work at masking my scent for the first few years, before it didn’t. I tried different brands at varying levels of application and it seemed like the more I used, the quicker I got busted. I showered with non scented soap, washed my clothes in non scented detergent(my wife has sensitive skin, so all my clothes are washed with non scented detergent), I applied scent killer from the skin to the last layer. Last year, I got busted time and time again until finally I sat in a slash pile in an active logging area(no logging that day) before I finally connected on a good deer. This year I tried a different approach and washed three pairs of clothes two months before the season and sealed them in a plastic bag with pine bows, cedar bows, dirt, and other vegetation from the area I would be hunting. I didn’t get busted one time this year. No scent killer, just native vegetation. Animals have much stronger sense of smell than we do and they also adapt very well to their environment. In my case, perhaps there is a marker in the scent killer they have picked up and recognize as a human scent. When I first began using it, it may have worked because it was foreign and not recognizable as human scent. I don’t know the right answer, but I will continue this year’s findings until it doesn’t seem to work.
I agree. Each time I sit down for a stand, I try to break a few limbs to get some scent going. I also will stop every once in a while when I am hiking, break off a branch and rub it on me a bit. My one quandary that I have yet to solve is the sweat factor in early season. I wear a scent free anti antiperspirant but that just worked for the armpits but not lower back, chest etc.
As explained in the podcast - heavy body sweat actually decreases scent by trapping skin cells (that would have shed as scent particles) against the body. Underarm areas are heavily colonized by bacteria that break down sweat and sebaceous secretions into foul smelling smaller molecules - antiperspirants go a long way in stopping the process. I use these products in my crotch for the same reason - not just because I like it. :chuckle:
Post by: TommyGun496 on December 18, 2017, 04:50:46 AM
Post by: W_Ellison2011 on December 20, 2017, 03:46:49 PM
Post by: Mallardmasher on December 22, 2017, 06:53:40 AM
Post by: White Pass Outfitters on December 22, 2017, 07:41:21 AM
Post by: Okanagan on December 22, 2017, 08:13:15 AM
Last year I was sitting next to big stump watching two trails, wind in my face. And I felt something on my neck, then a sniff. It was a big buck, inches away sniffing me from behind. Maybe I should get those hearing aids, wife keeps telling me I need.... 😏
Love it!
Years ago I was sitting just above a contour deer trail on a mountain side when a blacktail spike came along, dropped his nose to my boots on the edge of the trail and sniffed. Had you or I been covered in scent free products, neither buck would have discovered us enough to sniff!
And I need the hearing aids as well.
Post by: Calvin Rayborn on December 30, 2017, 12:26:21 AM
what do you smoke Wacky Tabacky?? :chuckle:Smoke dynaMITE like wicked Wanda Jackson 8)
Post by: Florida on January 03, 2018, 03:39:57 AM
I've been on a short term assignment to Florida and in my effort to fast forward my hunting knowledge of the area I started listening to the Down South Hunting podcast. It's an ok podcast in general, but the last 3 episodes have been really good. They interviewed two very successful deer hunters from the Midwest. One that really believes in Scent Control and one that doesn't. I recommend that all hunters listen to these 3 podcasts. I listen on Google Play, but attached are links to all 3.
Enjoy
http://www.downsouthhunting.com/down-south-hunting-podcast-episode-013-scent-control-debate-part-1/
http://www.downsouthhunting.com/south-hunting-podcast-episode-014-scent-control-strategy-comparison-w-dan-infalt-john-eberhart-part-2/
http://www.downsouthhunting.com/south-hunting-podcast-episode-015-scent-control-strategy-comparison-w-dan-infalt-john-eberhart-part-3/
OK podcast host here :chuckle:. Seriously, thanks for sharing the scent control podcast we did and I am glad you enjoyed it. I'm hoping most listeners find it more thought provoking than controversial. I saw some traffic from out website coming from here and wanted to stop in and say thanks.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 03, 2018, 05:37:47 AM
Post by: Alchase on January 03, 2018, 11:15:11 AM
I did an experiment, I used the drops, did the doodie, the shut the bathroom door without turning on the fan. About 5 minutes later she walks in and care out crying, LOL. She has no sense of humor sometimes.
In truth they do seem to help a bit and eliminate the need for a courtesy flush most times.
:chuckle: