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Trying something new for deer season

anderskandersk Member Posts: 3,627 ✭✭
edited September 2007 in General Discussion
Every year I like the idea of trying something new for deer season. This year I'm thinking about getting really serious about scent control. What would you suggest as the next step beyound the normal shower and try general stuff that everybody does? [?]

Does anyone else try something new each year? [?] [?]

Oh yes, I have already decided to buy a new scent control hunting hat/cap. I've used the same one for probably 25 years, and I've never even cleaned it. Even though I've grown to like it, it must smell pretty bad to the deer! Not too bright, huh?

Any suggestions on a scent control hunting hat/cap (and I have to wear hunter orange here in Massachusetts)? [?]
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Comments

  • shootlowshootlow Member Posts: 5,425
    edited November -1
    quote:Any suggestions on a scent control hunting hat/cap (and I have to wear hunter orange here in Massachusetts)?

    .338 rem ultra mag at 600 yards no sent no problem
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  • iluvgunsiluvguns Member Posts: 5,351
    edited November -1
    I don't use scent control clothing (it's too dang expensive!), but do use soap, shampoo, and deodorant that are unscented. Also wash my hunting clothes in unscented detergent. Bought some "dirt" scented dryer sheets to throw in the dryer with them. Also use a "dirt" spray and liberally cover my clothes with it after putting them on. After getting to my hunting spot, I will use a little * urine or other cover scent. Have been doing the clothing thing for about 4 years and don't know if it is because of that or not, but have seen lots more deer, close up, since starting it.
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  • headzilla97headzilla97 Member Posts: 6,445
    edited November -1
    scent block suit with a orange vest
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  • KrisWKrisW Member Posts: 633 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think you can get most of the scent control stuff in orange. I agree with iluvguns. Thats mostly what i do. I use doe urine instead tho. Dont forget that the mouth releases more scent that most anything. I have a scent blocker facemask.
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  • iluvgunsiluvguns Member Posts: 5,351
    edited November -1
    quote:the mouth releases more scent that most anything.

    Haven't tried it, and doubt I will, but saw some scent control gum at Gander Mountain the other day. "Pine flavored" gum just doesn't sound appetizing to me!! [xx(] I chew tobacco and haven't found it to be a problem. Maybe they like the smell of it!
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  • tomahawktomahawk Member Posts: 11,826
    edited November -1
    store clothes in a plastic bag with cedar branches..... dust whole body with baking soda, don't forget hair
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Spiritual cleansing with "Deer Smoke" from a Navajo hatalii each morning, wear clean clothes. You guys know how many deer were killed with .30-30 rifles by guys in jeans and hoodies before the marketing department dreamed up that scent-block stuff to tempt your money away from you?
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  • MercuryMercury Member Posts: 7,840 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    He Dog beat me to it! You guys are proving the "a fool and their money will soon part" adage true!

    My family has killed hundreds and hundreds of deer, and never used *any* of that stuff. My dad and grandpa were always smoking while in the woods, too. Didn't seem to make any difference......still had lots of dead deer!

    Merc
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  • HandgunHTR52HandgunHTR52 Member Posts: 2,735
    edited November -1
    If you are gun hunting, scent control is not as important as if you are bow hunting. The scent control clothing was designed for bowhunters who like to hunt after work and don't have the chance to shower before hand. It really does work. I have had deer come in from dead-downwind while wear a ScentLock suit. One of the first times I had this happen it was a little doe. I wasn't going to shoot her so I did a little experiment. As she was walking toward me I slowly unzipped the coat and opened it up a little. About a minute later she lifted her head and started sniffing the air. I slowly zipped it back up as she was getting ready to bolt. She stopped, sniffed the air again and then continued on right under my stand. I have been a firm believer in scent control clothes since.
    I don't wear it when gun hunting though, unless it is with my BP Pistol where I have to get them in close.
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  • SawzSawz Member Posts: 6,049
    edited November -1
    Diet, starting a few days before hunting. Different foods come out your pores smelling. I read once where Native Americansof long ago used to fast before hunting to cleanse themselves spiritually and physically
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  • SCorversSCorvers Member Posts: 2,063 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Scent control? You mean putting the cigarrete and coffee down when ya see a deer?
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  • jwb267jwb267 Member Posts: 19,664 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i am 56 years old i started huntting when i was 10 with my dad . i have killed a deer every year without the help of sent blocker. camo clothes or special baits, all a bunch of BS
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  • anderskandersk Member Posts: 3,627 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've been deer hunting (and a couple times moose hunting) for thirty years, and after getting the basics figured out, I was on a roll for a while - getting a deer every year - but now, it's been five years since I've had my own deer. Are the deer getting smarter, or am I getting older? [:p] Moving to Massachusetts may not have helped! [:(]

    I think I agree that a lot of the whole thing is business-hype and money ... money ... money! But I need to do something to help my cause! [;)]

    I'm going with the new cap for sure! [:D]
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  • PennyPincherPennyPincher Member Posts: 126 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My husband and I use a deoderant called "the rock". It's an organic product, basically a salt i think. It has no scent, works great and can be found in most any store (CVS, large grocery chains, walmart). We use all organic soaps and shampoos, detergents for clothes etc. I can't stand the scents that are in the other stuff. I can't even go down the aisle that has these products. If I can smell it I would think the deer can too. We don't hunt yet but want to start.
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  • goldeneagle76goldeneagle76 Member Posts: 4,359
    edited November -1
    I try to fine tune my farts to sounds like grunts in the woods...they're getting better all the time.
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  • goldeneagle76goldeneagle76 Member Posts: 4,359
    edited November -1
    on a more serious note, my wife got me scent control chapstick, deodorant, mouth spray and some other things for Christmas last year. I will be trying them this year. I think the brand is "Dead Down Wind".
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  • elkoholicelkoholic Member Posts: 5,130
    edited November -1
    Scent control: Don't but into the hype. If you are worried about it then don't hunt in your camp clothes and take a bath every night.

    Something new: I try to add something every year just to keep things interesting. This year I have added a tree stand to my elk hunting.
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  • meunkemeunke Member Posts: 1,407 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by goldeneagle76
    I try to fine tune my farts to sounds like grunts in the woods...they're getting better all the time.


    I've been practicing myself. I've got it tuned and ready to hunt moose. They'll all come runnin' when they hear my bellowing challange!
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  • linthicumlinthicum Member Posts: 825 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't use any of that stuff, Around here its just too urban.
    One place where I bow hunt, There is a dumpster about 75yrds away. And I have taken many deer from that stand.
    Also on the properties I hunt that are out in the country. I set up down wind.
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  • divebombdivebomb Member Posts: 1,161 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I wouldnt want a dumpster closer than 75 miles near me..
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  • GUNFUNCOGUNFUNCO Member Posts: 2,919 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am not the most die hard deer hunter so take this for what it is worth. I have never shot a truly huge buck but my deer seasons were pretty tied up for the last 20 years or so and had to hunt close to home for a couple of hours at a time. Now that I retired, I plan to change that.

    I usually just shower with plain old ivory soap and used that or baby shampoo on my hair when I had some. I use unscented deodorant and I leave my clothes outside the night before. I sometimes spray my boots with some of the scent eliminator.

    I used to use a scent called skunk screen. It was a 2-part scent that smelled like skunk when you mix them together. I would just squirt some of each on a nearby limb that was downwind. It generally worked OK.
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  • anderskandersk Member Posts: 3,627 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I just checked the Dan River website - the No Trace people - and they don't have anything in hunter orange.[V]
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  • JackBwrJackBwr Member Posts: 1,756 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    We only bow hunt and everything we've got is Scent-Lok. I've noticed a huge difference since we started using the stuff. You may (or may not) fool some does or yearlings but it's a lot tougher to fool the big boys. The winds can shift while you're sitting there. If I'm going to take the time to sit in a tree stand all day, you can bet your * I'm going to use every bit of scent control available to me. The technology is there now. Why risk an opportunity of a lifetime?
    Last year I had a buck lay down under my tree with no wind at all.
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  • HeavyBarrelHeavyBarrel Member Posts: 1,466 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mercury
    He Dog beat me to it! You guys are proving the "a fool and their money will soon part" adage true!

    My family has killed hundreds and hundreds of deer, and never used *any* of that stuff. My dad and grandpa were always smoking while in the woods, too. Didn't seem to make any difference......still had lots of dead deer!

    Merc
    Yeap and I have pissed next to my blind {sorry, blinds are the way we do it around here} and shot deer within 10 minutes of doing so twice.
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