Scent Control Routine for Deer

[Doug]

Tupperware bins for storage... washed with Mule Team Borax yearly. The rubber boots are also washed in this fashion. The other leather/gortex type boot get waterproofed early, left outside to dry and air out.

I always wear a system, starting with a base layer and building as needed for warmth. The clothes are all washed in a scent free soap, hung to dry and stored in bins with a H&S Earth (Forest Floor) scent wafer. Different tupperware for the different weather conditions. I shower before every hunt with scent free soap, I use a scent free antiperspirant from any store, the hunting stuff sucks. I may wear the base layer driving to the property; but I always have an outer layer on while driving, that layer stays in the truck. I wear as little as I can while walking to the stand so as to not sweat, sweat means odour and cold. I hunt SW Ontario, so I'm crossing farmland to get to the bush, sometimes 3/4 mile of more, I take my time so as to not sweat, and to control sound. I dress at the edge of the bush in my hunting clothes that I have already sprayed down with scent killer before leaving the truck. My final prep is to spray a synthetic urine (doe or buck depending upon the time of the season) on the bottom of my boots, since doing this I have had deer walk right up my path to the stand, not even concerned that I had walked on their trail.
I will chew on Clorets with chlorophyll to help control breath scent, or an apple flavoured gum I found... there is plenty on the web on various methods to control breath odour. Most importantly I try to always hunt the wind, walk to the bush with it in my face, and hang the stand as high as I can for the specific location.

[22x11]

I wash my storage totes with baking soda, wash ALL my hunting clothes in dead down wind detergent AFTER a wash of just water in the machine. air dry clothes. have a shower before every hunt using a wash cloth that has been washed as well with scent killer soap, dry off with a towel washed the same. scent killer deodorant on my chest, armpits and feet. spray every other layer with scent killer, get dressed where I park and walk in after spraying my boots, pants and coat. then chew mint dentine when I get to the stand. always try to hunt the wind the best I can

[MickeyKnox]

I wash my storage totes with baking soda, wash ALL my hunting clothes in dead down wind detergent AFTER a wash of just water in the machine. air dry clothes. have a shower before every hunt using a wash cloth that has been washed as well with scent killer soap, dry off with a towel washed the same. scent killer deodorant on my chest, armpits and feet. spray every other layer with scent killer, get dressed where I park and walk in after spraying my boots, pants and coat. then chew mint dentine when I get to the stand. always try to hunt the wind the best I can

Yeah that outta fool them deer, especially the ones that chem mint Dentyne too. LOL

[skeeter1]

They sell scent control products to the hunter, a deer's sense of smell is similar to a dog. Practise your routine then see if you can hide from your dog, I'm guessing no (they tried this on mythbusters and it did not work and they went to the extreme). You are producing odor all the time, I would think if you are to do anything you would want to wear something that absorbs odor. Best thing is play the wind, get up high if you can and do not move, movement will always be your #1 give away.

[brent]

I wash my storage totes with baking soda, wash ALL my hunting clothes in dead down wind detergent AFTER a wash of just water in the machine. air dry clothes. have a shower before every hunt using a wash cloth that has been washed as well with scent killer soap, dry off with a towel washed the same. scent killer deodorant on my chest, armpits and feet. spray every other layer with scent killer, get dressed where I park and walk in after spraying my boots, pants and coat. then chew mint dentine when I get to the stand. always try to hunt the wind the best I can

Does baking soda smell????

[22x11]

no in absorbs smells

[brent]

no in absorbs smells

How do you know it does not have a smell of it's own???

Because you can't smell it??? Doesn't mean a deer cannot smell it.

[MikePal]

How do you know it does not have a smell of it's own???

Doesn't matter as long as deer don't see it as an odour that would alarm them. If they detect it as an organic smell, like borax has...it's probably not going to be an issue.

[smitty55]

I always try to be as scent free as I can and not hunt a stand if the wind is wrong, but I'd like to hear if anyone here has any experience or thoughts on using smoke as a cover scent? I googled it last year and many of the reports are very positive. Smoke has a high carbon content so it kinda makes sense, as well as that smell that deer don't spook from, apparently. There are even smokers and closets you can buy to smoke all your hunting gear. It's nothing new, but you never seem to hear much about it. I actually bought a small chimney at ctc last fall at half off, so not much expense. Haven't tried it though. I mean, if it was that simple, wouldn't more guys do it? Or maybe we're just all slaves to the industry hehe.
Any opinions?

Cheers

[400bigbear]

Funny thing is I've likely shot and freezered more deer legally than all you posters so far on this thread combined . LOL Scent and wind makes a difference in situations but they got you from the start . I've trapped the sharpest of them all that avoid steel yet why do wolves cross and run railway tracks , eh ? I smoke still . I have camo clothes and even the bike gives off gas fumes . Deer live in this enviroment . Yes I have been busted many times . If you really watch deer trails or runs, fox run them too .. lots . Skunk essence is good too and I think I what my nemisis MikePal is getting too . Your thing is to distract or should be .. fox run on same trails but I hunt the hardwoods of the north .Do not over analyzye deer or any critter . A deer is a glorified goat . Sneakier because hes wild but for food ,cover and a place to crash in safety watching . Hes a critter and islands of bush in the south is like fish in a barrel for me ..lol Sorry I said that but not. Been there . I can see storm coming over this post . LOL

TD