'Curiosity'; scent stick success

[punkrockerpj]

sorry. noob question. how do these work? i've seen them at walmart and it had me wondering. what are they supposed to smell like?

[TurkeyRookie]

sorry. noob question. how do these work? i've seen them at walmart and it had me wondering. what are they supposed to smell like?

I don't know what "curiousity" is suppose to smell like, the all season ones are just suppose to smell like a deer, the rut ones, like a doe in estrus.

Just light them, let it flame for a minute till it gets an ash, then blow it out and let it smoke for a few hours.

[punkrockerpj]

hey that sounds pretty easier. maybe easier than baiting...

[MikePal]

hey that sounds pretty easier. maybe easier than baiting...

I still use bait in the area I'm hunting to ensure that deer are frequenting the area. The scent sticks are great when you have a stand set up that isn't ideal for wind ect. They act as a cover (mask) for your scent as well as provide a 'chemical' attractant for deer.

These 'Curiosity' ones have a good name, the deer, being curious creatures, tend to like to investigate the odd odour and they come in looking around to see what's making the smell. Great for mid day hunts when your back in the bush along transition trails and they are moving about.

[GW11]

Congratulations on the doe Mike.

[Splaker]

I started using a different brand in 2010, but only got out a couple days and couldn't really make any judgement about them.

In 2011 when i last got shooting, I had those sticks burning when i got BOTH my bucks to pretty much walk up to my stand that season.

I used them with dedication in 2012 and never saw anything.

I used them half-heatedly in 2013 and only saw a doe & her fawn too close to last light.

I didn't use them at all this season and i'm sucking hard on tag soup.

I don't know what to make of any of it.

I think your 4 years prove that the sticks don't really work (or any cover up scent), at least from my perspective. First year I ever hunted deer was the year I saw 3 bucks and one was a hell of a trophy that I missed at 30 yards (buck fever, long story!!). That year I didn't use any scents, didn't even wear all camo and washed my clothes in tide and downy!! Must have been a good year and good wind where I was set up - which are the biggest factors in success imo

[MikePal]

I think your 4 years prove that the sticks don't really work

So when I watch a deer walk in downwind, from 100yds out and walk straight into the smoke trail and put their nose on the scent bucket.....I am seeing them 'NOT" working ? ...LOL...

[Splaker]

So when I watch a deer walk in downwind, from 100yds out and walk straight into the smoke trail and put their nose on the scent bucket.....I am seeing them 'NOT" working ? ...LOL...

I've tried scent this year, last year and other years... I've finally given up on them. My best year was the year I did not use them.

[MikePal]

Congratulations on the doe Mike.

That's the first Doe I've shot in over 8 yrs. Usually the deer are plentiful and I can stick with bucks, but we were not seeing any deer and it was getting late in the week.

Anyway I butchered her up yesterday morning and recovered about 45 lbs of meat for pepperettes. Took the tenderloins and back straps over to the camp and had a BBQ supper with some of the most tender meat I've eaten in years.

One of the guys even proved you could chew it with no teeth

[skeeter1]

I spend alot and I mean alot of time in the bush and this year I harvested deer 31,32 and 33 in the controlled (I have been deer hunting for about seven years), I have to agree with Mike. I have had deer dead down wind of me come in and knock the bucket over despite smelling me as well. I have never seen it spook a deer (but then again maybe I never saw the deer that was spooked). Anyways I think my success stands for its self, I prob use them half the time.