Cover Scents and Attractors

[Sigma]

Wondering how many of you guys hunt with cover scents. Wafers that you tie to your pack and bottles with droppers, etc.

Do you use them? What's worked for you?

 

[hank4elk]

I've used Mule deer scent covers for mulies and blacktails successfully and will try a couple elk hunting this year. Anything must smell better than me, right.

 

[Hitechhunter]

I don't believe in cover scents, how do you mask your breath? Just use the wind wisely, they can't smell into the wind.

 

[Sigma]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Hitechhunter @ Aug 22 2008, 01:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I don't believe in cover scents, how do you mask your breath? Just use the wind wisely, they can't smell into the wind.[/b]

I didn't know my breath was that bad.

 

[hank4elk]

The "WORK THE WIND" goes without saying. I've been able to confuse a few bucks enough to give themselves away to me, and fill my tag. But I don't RELY on scents. Just another tool. If you think your stink free, think again.

 

[tmoniz]

Elk have great noses. But like any other game animal. Mind the direction of the wind. And keep your movement to a minimum.

Tmoney.

 

[barel74]

I agree with the wind thing, but it can't hurt to use the scent free detergent. If I can smell the Tide, then I'm one wind swirl away from being busted.

 

[hank4elk]

I have been useing Arm and Hammer washing soda for years. no scent no uv stuff, cheap.

 

[suavegato]

Like “most” things in life… moderation is the key IMHO. Don’t go into the field smoking a cigar, with deodorant & cologne on etc. after eating beans & bacon & drinking whiskey in camp all night! But, you are NEVER going to get “scent free”, period… However, you can minimize it with relatively little effort. Wash you clothes in a scent free detergent… I use Country Save brand, cheap too! Use some of the scent killer spry, home made of store bought and that’s about it. Then, hunt the wind like everyone has said. That way, if the wind does swirl, you MAY have a better chance at least…

As for “cover scents… BAH! They say deer can smell each other and differentiate etc. , tell when they are in heat, who is sick… and you think some man made “dirt smell” is going to A) fool them and B) hide your stink? They smell each other’s footprints that are left in dirt! I.E. they can smell through the dirt, so how is it going to hide your smell? You will just smell like you AND dirt… Or worse yet, you AND some fake man made concoction that smells like dirt to us but like a red alert to them! Scent covers are designed to SELL not to work! Once again, IMHO.

 

[Salty Bum]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (suavegato @ Aug 26 2008, 09:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Like “most” things in life… moderation is the key IMHO. Don’t go into the field smoking a cigar, with deodorant & cologne on etc. after eating beans & bacon & drinking whiskey in camp all night! But, you are NEVER going to get “scent free”, period… However, you can minimize it with relatively little effort. Wash you clothes in a scent free detergent… I use Country Save brand, cheap too! Use some of the scent killer spry, home made of store bought and that’s about it. Then, hunt the wind like everyone has said. That way, if the wind does swirl, you MAY have a better chance at least…

As for “cover scents… BAH! They say deer can smell each other and differentiate etc. , tell when they are in heat, who is sick… and you think some man made “dirt smell” is going to A) fool them and B) hide your stink? They smell each other’s footprints that are left in dirt! I.E. they can smell through the dirt, so how is it going to hide your smell? You will just smell like you AND dirt… Or worse yet, you AND some fake man made concoction that smells like dirt to us but like a red alert to them! Scent covers are designed to SELL not to work! Once again, IMHO.[/b]

Well put!!!!!

 

[Hitechhunter]

I used to lay my clothes out over the mountain misery (aka bear clover, ever smell that stuff?) for a few days before hunting season, doubt it did any good, but I was desperate in those days!

 

[suavegato]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Hitechhunter @ Aug 28 2008, 04:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

I used to lay my clothes out over the mountain misery (aka bear clover, ever smell that stuff?) for a few days before hunting season, doubt it did any good, but I was desperate in those days![/b]

To this day I still wash all of my clothes in scent free deterg. and put a 1/2 cup or so of baking soda in with them in the dryer and then put them in plastic bags with some local vegitation, usually fresh pine frawns... I only do this for common sense and ease... I.E. I have to wash the clothes anyway, so why not scent free, and the baking soda is about 1$ for 10 pounds... Then, I have to pack them anyway, why not in plastic bags? And, it's pretty darn easy to stuff some pine needles in with them... And I will use a little of the scent killer spray on my clothes, hats & boots etc. My point is, I don't go to drastic measures (anymore) but I do a few easy common sense things that may give me a few percentages of an edge over if I didn't do them...

And along those same lines, deer CAN see color! Not as well us us but they can! They can see blue the best so don't wear it! (no matter what you see hatchet wearing!) also, wear "break up" no solid colors... and of course, hunt the wind! No matter what, they will smell you if you are upwind of them!

good luck!

 

[hank4elk]

So True SuaveG. As I said I don't RELY on anything except that deer and elk have way more nose than anyone can cover. Use the wind, give yourself an edge. Rub plants and dirt from where you are on gear. But I have had them tell me where they where because of scents, and I've scored because of it. If they hadn't stomped and given me a warning snort I might have slipped by them without knowing they were on the other side of the trees. They thought I was another deer. Just another tool in the box.