Scent Control
- Thread starter Hedgelj
- Start date
Big_Holla
Senior Member
Shower, smoke (including pre-smoked clothes) and EverCalm
Scent free laundry soap, only shower with scent killer soap during season, and smoke
I use unscented products all year round. Including laundry. Then just smoke everything up and play the wind that’s given me throughout the season. Which usually isn’t favorable at all. Boarder line at best.
Y'all may think I'm either an idiot or ignorance is bliss after this post.
This week I've played the wind the best I can but each and every day I've had deer come in either downwind of me or walk directly down wind of me with enough of a breeze I can feel on my face and hands with minimal to no response.
I just had a doe come across my down wind trail, wander out to the field edge where I entered at (scrape and trail) and wander back past my stand within feet of how I walked in.
So i think it's working for me (so far)
Smoke up (thanks @brock ratcliff ) every layer from my pants/top and everything else I'm bringing in. Evercalm applied to sides of the sole of my boots.
That's it.
My pants and base layers have lived in my drawers with my other clothes and my jackets are just hung up either in my closet or my hunting gear closet. My boots sit in my garage with allmy other boots, shoes, and the normal garage stuff.
I'm going to keep doing it until it doesn't work. I did buy scent killer gold for my bear hunt a few years ago on advice of the guide but haven't used it since.
This week I've played the wind the best I can but each and every day I've had deer come in either downwind of me or walk directly down wind of me with enough of a breeze I can feel on my face and hands with minimal to no response.
I just had a doe come across my down wind trail, wander out to the field edge where I entered at (scrape and trail) and wander back past my stand within feet of how I walked in.
So i think it's working for me (so far)
Smoke up (thanks @brock ratcliff ) every layer from my pants/top and everything else I'm bringing in. Evercalm applied to sides of the sole of my boots.
That's it.
My pants and base layers have lived in my drawers with my other clothes and my jackets are just hung up either in my closet or my hunting gear closet. My boots sit in my garage with allmy other boots, shoes, and the normal garage stuff.
I'm going to keep doing it until it doesn't work. I did buy scent killer gold for my bear hunt a few years ago on advice of the guide but haven't used it since.
Stressless
Active Member
Shower with scent killer soap, wash cloths scent and dye free detergent - and hang outside for the day to dry (Amish Flag), once done Ozone in something that is semi airtight or air tight right when you come in and right after b4 going out for the hunt. No aftershave or other "added scent" pit juice, mouthwash etc. My hunting sensi Cliff uses Nose Jammer on his boots and I've found that helpful as well just before heading out.
Oh- and sit downwind....
Oh- and sit downwind....
I also use unscented products all year and take great care to keep my clothes contained in clean containers. I routinely hang them outside between hunts and use scent elimination sprays. I don't use smoke quite like I used to, but rather lightly "waft" the smoke on hunts I expect to need it. My boots never go inside and I use Evercalm on the bottom, and I haven't had any issues with deer crossing my path in years. That said, I believe Evercalm is the single best product on the deer hunting market.
You'll never beat their nose every time, but you can definitely mess with it enough to win some battles and prolong others. And keep in mind, thermals matter more than wind direction and scent control when you hunt hill country
You'll never beat their nose every time, but you can definitely mess with it enough to win some battles and prolong others. And keep in mind, thermals matter more than wind direction and scent control when you hunt hill country
Playing the thermals, saves my ass more than once….
I would have loved to have had an audience on Sunday to observe the power of thermals. For me, it's thermals first, then wind direction.
Big_Holla
Senior Member
Clothes & boots live in a dedicated metal cabinent in the garage year round. Washed with no scent soap, dried w/no dryer sheet.
Then they get smoked in the cabinet, and I refresh smoke before each hunt. This round of duds has years of carcinogens in them. I never care about the wind, only get that more excited when it's in my favor. Replacement smoker in the basement, figure I'm good for another 10-15years
Then they get smoked in the cabinet, and I refresh smoke before each hunt. This round of duds has years of carcinogens in them. I never care about the wind, only get that more excited when it's in my favor. Replacement smoker in the basement, figure I'm good for another 10-15years
Smawgunner2
Active Member
I wash all my stuff in just hot water. I keep them in a giant tote. Boots stay outside. I shower in just hot water. Brush my teeth then a bite or two of apple. I also stay away from eating garlic or onions the night before. I don’t use any product like scent control, soap, evercalm etc. All of that is done on day one, a week later I get frustrated and tired and I don’t give a shit. 
TinyTucky
Active Member
Yes, but even milkweed won't tell the whole story about thermals. That's were your breath is perfect if it's cold enough. The scent free powder and smoke will work, too. I always have a lighter in my back and have lit the end of a leaf and let it smolder to show me the thermals. But for general wind direction, I always have milkweed on me.
bigten05
*Supporting Member*
I like to talk about thermals. It is often more powerful than the wind in the times deer move. Deer know this and will move/follow the thermal switch. This is why you often hear (i needed one more step and felt the wind hit the back of my neck". Big deer know what they are doing with this. So beyond me not using anything scented for most of the year, I use thermals to my advantage. This is another great thing for ground hunting. I can move about as things change in mornings and evenings. I also smoke myself and clothes before EVERY hunt.
I was wrong it was @Big_Holla
Hunting the Thermals
Pretty good video on thermals. The fog timelapse shows how they can be a finicky bitch.
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