Scent Control when deer hunting?

[Mayfly]

So what works for you and do you have proof?

I just wonder how many deer I would of and could have seen if at times my scent was more under control.

I learned a lot this past summer. I had a feeder in a field and a blind set up about 50yds from it. I wanted to watch the deer and see how they reacted to me and try to learn anything. What I did learn is that most of the deer knew I was there. On a normal night the deer would come in and at times they would hang back from the feeder about 5o yds and slowly move in. If I was in the blind they would hang back a lot farther and the bigger deer and the bucks would not come in. I noticed the young does would come in and stare at me the whole time I was sitting there. I was in stealth mode. I had the blind completely zipped up with only a small opening to watch. Those bigger ones would never come in. Now this was summer and I was not hunting and had taken no scent precautions, just got in the blind and zipped it up.

Here is my point. If I were in the woods I would of never seen these deer that were holding back. The only reason I could see them now was becasue I was in a field with minimal brush and trees. Imagine if you are hunting and your scent is blowing around, how many deer stop and never come in without you even seeing them!? I guess that is why it IS so important to be still. People always wonder how these deer end up under your stand without even seeing the approach. It is probably because they sense something a little out of whack and are moving very cautiously and stealth.

 

[Super Star!]

LOL  well if you use scent control right that means reactivating your suite. proper handleing of your suit and washing your butt ear and face ( that is were most scent comes from) and your breath you will see a differnce.

 as i told you tim i started useing a ground blind this year and had good handeling of my cothing and scent and i had deer 3 feet from me..  who knows maybe its luck maybe not..

[Ryan]

I've never sat in a ground blind and I don't know if that makes a difference, but when I've sat in my stand the only time the deer have noticed me is when they actually see me.  There are times that there are deer right under me with no clue that anything is going on, but there is always that one that is 100 yards away that can see me and will run away.  It seems like they always remember to look if you are there or not after they have seen you.  I don't use any type of scent control either.

[repoman]

anyone ever use that deer dander ? i heard it works real good in the blinds ?

[tripnchip]

I'll just say i have had mixed results, one time it seems to be working and another it dosen't. I am a little suprised that even the big deer did not get use to your scent by the end of the summer being you were feeding and leaving sent at the feeder to.

[Fiasco]

I read a breakdown on scent control earlier this year that talks about how deer are familiar with human scent and it doesn't bother them unless the intensity/saturation is high. SS has it right when he includes breath. It's probably one of the most overlooked problems. Ever smelled coffee breath in the morning? It's definitely potent and out of the ordinary in the deer woods. I've read that instead of chewing expensive gums or using spray, just use spearmint gum. I think it was a thing by "Wildlife Research" that said the scent has been tested and not only doesn't spook deer, it actually is an attractant. I started chewing it this year and stuck a 10 pointer and a doe this year (my first year with the bow). It's anecdotal I know, but the range and duration were such that any offputting scent would have sent them running.

[Super Star!]

i have read the same thing on the spearmint gum thing.  im ganna try it.  the othere gum gets kinda nasty after a while...

[Pegg]

I do not own a scent suit.  But I do wash my clothes in scent killer. I have been hunting on the ground for about 8 years. I just got a tree stand last year. I have had deer walk all the way around me and come up and smell my boot. I have also had a small buck come about 10 feet away from me face to face and stomp at me, but then walk away. When I put out my blind  I have had many deer walk right by my blind when I am in it. I like not bring anything so I can move when ever I want to. The blind is nice for when it is really cold and windy.

[sjohnnie26]

Got winded by a doe this weekend and it got me thinking about this topic.  Lets hear what everyone does to diminish their scent in the woods.  Does anyone hang their hunting clothes around a bonfire or sit around one in their hunting clothes for scent control?

[atcher]

I wear Scent Lok boots, bibs, jacket and hat.  I even use that mouth spray from Dead Down Wind to freshen up a little.  I will try the spearmint gum idea though, should help with hunger also.  Most of the deer were on the "move" and didn't care if I was there or not.  Some I have had to stop with a grunt and wait while they walk around trying to figure out what the pumpkin in the tree is doing...only flagging and running when they see me move.  I am sure my scent has kept more that a few deer out of my sight over the years...couple stomach growls in the tree in the morning and repercussions of the beer and camp supper from the night before soon arise, leaving the woods smelling fresh.  Takes it awhile to get out of all that clothing though.  Charcoal underwear!?!   

Does anyone do the no meat for two weeks plan, so they can't smell the carnivore in the woods?

[deadeye]

tripnchip is right.  For me it's hit and miss.  Last year I bought scent loc pants, jacket and face mask.  Had one deer (small doe) walk down wind at 30-40 yards and she didn't seem to care.  I was busted by quite a few other deer during the season. (maybe more than other years).  Yes, I used other precautions such as washing clothes and using scent killer.  On the bright side, I usually know there are deer around because of all the snorting. 

[Jdrummer]

Hey that snorting sound is scary when its your second time in the woods and it's getting dark and you decinde in 5 minutes to get down and leave then all of a sudden right behind your tree you hear the "snort" . Worse of all you can't see the thing and you hear nothing else.

[Cody Gruchow]

i take care of my hunting clothes like there the most valuable thing in my possesion. to me scent control is #1 priorty on my list. i wear scent lock pants jacket gloves facemask socks hat and boots and i also wear scent lok base layers and spray down both inside my scent lok on the base layers and on the outside of the jacket pants and boots, the gloves and facemask and hat also. i use unscented dead down wind spray, why use scented when you bought scent lok to help eliminate odor right? i also beleive in hunting as high as you can get(safely and comfortably) i hunt at about 22-25 feet up. wind is also important but less and less if you are hunting high up and took all the precautions with your clothes. i wont dress until i get to the feild and 40 yards away from the truck. i keep my hunting clothes in a scent lok bag that i spray down also. as you can tell im very picky about how i control the odor. i also use the body soap and shampoo by dead down wind the morning that i wake up to go hunting, i have tryed the gum it isnt bad but i dont care for it.