Beating a bucks nose?

Question

I am a "weekend warrior" and I have little space for hunting, so I don't always get to "hunt the wind." I am using a muzzle-loader in a ground blind.

Anyone out there with tips on scent elimination? Last year I used a scent-away spray, and I was not impressed with it. At least 3 bucks got down wind from me and knew I was there. A lot of the hunting shows seem to push their sponcer's product, so it's hard to distinguish an advertisement from the truth. Which products have brought you success?

Answer 1

A lot of the scent killer sprays you see on the hunting shows are gimmicks....They work to a degree, but if you smoke, use a scented deodorant, or shampoo, or even dress in camo's washed in regular detergent you are going to be scented by Deer.You have to realize that these products came out in the last few years, yet Hunters have been successful literally for decades without the use of scent elimination sprays. The shake on powdered carbon is an even bigger joke. Not only does it not work, it makes one heck of a mess on your clothes and skin that's not easy to get off. I think the best answer is a good "cover" scent put on your boots to mask human odor going into your hunting area...and some more hanging from a cotton ball on a string hung about 4 ft off the ground for the wind/breeze to pick up and carry the direction it's blowing.I also wash my hunting clothes in scentless Borax laundry soap, air dry them outside, then pack them in a large zip loc bag until I get out to the woods where I change just before the hunt.
As a Gun Shop Owner and Archery/Bowhunter , I get free samples all of the time of these different products to try. I have yet to find ONE that I feel actually worked after watching several Deer to see exactly how they re-act up close. There were 2 occasions last year when I got picked up by 2 Bucks downwind at over 80 yards WITH scent elimination spray..

11 different Products/Scent Killers -0- Success

Answer 2

The best scent elimination that I have found is the wind. By far the best.
First of all about the only time you are going to beat a bucks nose is when he ain't thinking right and even then it is hard to do. With you on the ground too.
I know there are hundreds of scent killer sprays cloths armpit juice and gum but a buck I was once told they can smell 7 different smells at a time.
My last one I got in my ground blind was a big bodied 6 point.( I meat hunt) He looked right at me as he was walking by me. I didn't do any scent killing on my body and my way was my set up of my blind. If you know the path they travel most of the time and play the wind in your face game, it doesn't matter what spray clothes or gum your chewing he probably will not smell you. He might see you but unless there is a swirling wind smell isn't a factor.
I have several farms I go to hunt and each one I hunt according to the direction of the wind to the woods and where I park. The biggest woods I get into is around around 200 to 300 acres but I only have about 20 acres of that I have permission down to the smallest which is about 11/2 to 2 acre woods and I have gotten the biggest deer / biggest antlers in the little one.
Good luck hope everything works out for you.
Remember though don't get to wrapped up in what these shows are showing you and how they are hunting. Pick up a tip here and there but don't wait for the buck to stop in front of you sideways and wait for you to shoot. You can get a good shot off in an opening if he is walking. Good locaton of your shot is important. Don't just try to hit it. These shows everyone of them are on managed farms for hunts like these not your small little woods.

This is just an opinion.

Answer 3

I myself put my clothes in a bag with a bunch dirt,twigs,leaves and such from the area I hunt in,and thats about the only thing I do,Mankind has been hunting deer for thousands of years and has killed lots of animals with bows and spears,they had to get very close so I would think you should be able to cover up your scent good enough to use a muzzle loader,also remember not use a scented soap when you shower,

Answer 4

Never needed or used any scent eliminator.* I hunt from above the ground in trees. I believe it has more to do with the natural flow of air currents. I hunt with Bow & Arrow & Rifle but I am always in a tree.* No problem for me.* Try it *

Answer 5

I have a friend that's a very successful bowhunter. He doesn't bother with scent control at all, but does use skunk scent on cotton balls at the base of his tree stand. Personally for me there is no way I would EVER sit in a tree stand smelling skunk all day. He says that after an hour or two you get used to it and it doesn't bother you. From my viewpoint, no way! But hey if you can tough it out, there is probably no way on earth that a deer could smell you once they get a whiff of skunk.

Answer 6

Like another guy said - get up in a tree. Also- you can't mask your scent... you can add to the scents deer smell, but you can't cover it up with another smell. Just like spraying air freshener after you leave the bathroom. The next person in smells crap and a flower bouquet.

Answer 7

the best thing ive found are earth scent dryer sheets,get you a large plastic bag and put your hunting clothes in and 1 or 2 of the dryer sheets should do the trick

Answer 8

My experience tells me that scent control is VERY overrated.

If you're on the ground, scrape the ground with your boot exposing the natural earth smell.

Also get you some fox pee

Answer 9

cover scent like fresh earth wafers. keep all of your cloths in a bag with one of these wafers in it. wash your hunting gear with Hunter SPecialties laundry det. then bag um with the wafers. My experience is the bucks dont try to scent target the earth smell. they will try to target any other scent, however.
then you are busted by the smallest movement.

Answer 10

My buddy does really well bowhunting every year. His trick is to keep all the clothes in garbage bags full of spruce boughs.