JT262
Well-Known Member
What does everyone believe about scent away spray and deer scent? I do believe that playing the wind best as possible is the key and you can't fool a deers nose.
Scent away and deer scent
- Thread starter JT262
- Start date
As far as deer scent is concerned I believe it definately helps when used correctly. It is a testament to just how great a deer's nose really is as I have watched several bucks come straight to the tree I was in.
As for scent away I agree with you to an extent that you can't fool them. However, I have seen some pretty crazy scenarios where I have been in a 12 foot ladder stand and completely surrounded by deer. Not one deer knew I was there and it was late evening so I know my thermals were dropping. I have had great luck with DDW laundry detergent, body wash, and deoderant. Then drench myself in wildlife research center spray before I leave the truck. Can't remember the brand but one spray I was using resulted in me being winded 3 straight times I hunted so I trashed it. But I agree best plan is to use the wind as best you can.
I used to use all that stuff. My buddy i hunted with had a lot of money and used all the latest and greatest. He had the scent lock suit, rubber boots, all the sprays and kept everything in sealed containers and the deer would come across his trail and turn around and run. I don't use anything anymore. I pay close attention to how I walk in and play the wind right and usually never get busted
DeerMan66
Well-Known Member
I wash my clothes in Scent Away and bath with Scent Away soap. I use to use Scent Away spray before I went into the woods. I would still get busted from time to time. I found a product manufactured by some local guys near Chattanooga called White Oak Whiskey. It smells like acorns. I continue to use Scent away for laundry and bathing but started using White Oak Whiskey for cover scent about 4 years ago and I haven't been busted since. It is the best cover scent I've ever used. I've had plenty of deer at the bottom of my ladder and they never look up. You can find this stuff online.
I shower using ScentAway body soap and shampoo, but don't use any sprays of any kind. Wash my clothes in ScentAway laundry detergent as well and hang dry outside.
bwgarrett3
Well-Known Member
I make my own scent spray by boiling acorns and using the water they're boiled in. I add a drop or two of vanilla. I've used it the past 3yrs and it seems to be working. I also use DDW detergent and hang my clothes on the front porch while not hunting. It definitely makes them smell like "outside".
30-06 type of guy
Well-Known Member
I use to use DDW but to me it has an odor and I was always curious about it. Now I just wash my clothes in baking soda put my clothes in a tote with an opened baking soda box. Done some searching back last summer and started making a mixture of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and distilled water. So far it's been great.
T. J. Mercer
Well-Known Member
I'm a believer that deer are sensitive to scent as it relates to their environment.
Backwoods deer of Montana vs suburban deer in Nashvegas respond differently.
If my hound pups get loose, they'll sprint straight to my camera spot and sniff around. A place I walk to and take great scent precaution.
Bee line to it.
They have 220 million olfactory receptors in their nose.
Deer have nearly 300 million.
We have 5 million.
There's no doubt in my mind the deer smell us, no matter what we do to stop it.
I think the question is whether they care on any given day or in that location.
I think that's why mama does are tough/skiddish, cause they're in protection mode (granted, they live in that state with a fawn at their side, but there's a difference when they smell you -- I've observed it).
And why "pressure" affects mature bucks.
In my youthful ignorance, I've hunted stands ten days in a row and seen deer 9 out of 10 times, quickly dismissing "pressure theories."
But no big bucks (there is some great research proving the pressure theories).
And I've watched deer walk my very path and never spook despite me not spraying.
But like most everybody here, I shower up, laundry up, and occasionally spray up in the aforementioned products.
I throw those dirt wafers in the dryer when I can't air dry the load. I think they're good maskers. And when I store clothes, I use them there, too.
But what's crazy is that all the scent prep you do, if you touch one stick with a bare hand walking in, they can smell it.
As much as I hate the wind (makes my nose run like a faucet), I think a breeze works in our favor more than hurts.
I think it helps vacate our odor instead of stagnating an area.
Better to have a bad downwind sector than the whole area reak of you.
Think pie slice versus whole pie, where you're at the center of the pie.
And ideally, that bad slice is behind you, imho.
Backwoods deer of Montana vs suburban deer in Nashvegas respond differently.
If my hound pups get loose, they'll sprint straight to my camera spot and sniff around. A place I walk to and take great scent precaution.
Bee line to it.
They have 220 million olfactory receptors in their nose.
Deer have nearly 300 million.
We have 5 million.
There's no doubt in my mind the deer smell us, no matter what we do to stop it.
I think the question is whether they care on any given day or in that location.
I think that's why mama does are tough/skiddish, cause they're in protection mode (granted, they live in that state with a fawn at their side, but there's a difference when they smell you -- I've observed it).
And why "pressure" affects mature bucks.
In my youthful ignorance, I've hunted stands ten days in a row and seen deer 9 out of 10 times, quickly dismissing "pressure theories."
But no big bucks (there is some great research proving the pressure theories).
And I've watched deer walk my very path and never spook despite me not spraying.
But like most everybody here, I shower up, laundry up, and occasionally spray up in the aforementioned products.
I throw those dirt wafers in the dryer when I can't air dry the load. I think they're good maskers. And when I store clothes, I use them there, too.
But what's crazy is that all the scent prep you do, if you touch one stick with a bare hand walking in, they can smell it.
As much as I hate the wind (makes my nose run like a faucet), I think a breeze works in our favor more than hurts.
I think it helps vacate our odor instead of stagnating an area.
Better to have a bad downwind sector than the whole area reak of you.
Think pie slice versus whole pie, where you're at the center of the pie.
And ideally, that bad slice is behind you, imho.
All my hunting clothes, stand cushion and backpack are in a big box that is full of dry leaves , acorns and twigs.
JeepKuntry
Well-Known Member
Atsko sport wash and stored in totes. When I go on hunting trips, I have a smaller ozone I use from time to time where washing gear isn't really an option. Rarely do I use any type of spray.
megalomaniac
Well-Known Member
I'm not a fanatic when it comes to scent, I just hunt the wind when I am out in the open. That being said, I take reasonable precautions when it comes to scent. I wash my clothes in scent free detergent, and wash my body and hair with scent free soap. I avoid strong odors before hunting, but don't go so far to spray down with 'scent killer' products.
I build my shoot houses almost completely airtight, so there is almost no escape of human scent from them while hunting, so I don't have to worry about wind direction out of them.
I build my shoot houses almost completely airtight, so there is almost no escape of human scent from them while hunting, so I don't have to worry about wind direction out of them.
Ironsmith-Jared
Well-Known Member
Yep! I am the exact same. I used to wouldn't go in the woods if I didn't have the spray, detergent, and whatever other bells and whistles. Now, it's all about hunting the wind!
This is almost exactly how I approach deer hunting as well Mega. Except for shooting houses. :) I also wear my hunting boots solely(pun intended) after I exit the truck and get on the ground where I'm going in the woods at...they never touch the inside floorboard or anywhere else other than my hunting property land.
timberghost35
Well-Known Member
I have gotten a little More serious this yr about deer. One thing I have noticed, no matter what way you "hunt the wind", they are still deer and will come from no telling where.
This last set, I played it perfectly. Wind was blowing from the NW and right toward a marsh area where I had never seen deer come from. What do you know, the first 5 does come straight from that area and "knew" something wasn't right, but never blew or anything. Just kinda trotted off.
I have been spraying down with scent away and even got some ever calm this yr and been putting on my boots when I walk in. Deer have literally been walking the path I cleared in the leaves to get in quiet to the stand.
Like me and a buddy were talking. Deer that smell humans everyday, won't be as skiddish as river bottom deer who hardly ever smell humans.
This last set, I played it perfectly. Wind was blowing from the NW and right toward a marsh area where I had never seen deer come from. What do you know, the first 5 does come straight from that area and "knew" something wasn't right, but never blew or anything. Just kinda trotted off.
I have been spraying down with scent away and even got some ever calm this yr and been putting on my boots when I walk in. Deer have literally been walking the path I cleared in the leaves to get in quiet to the stand.
Like me and a buddy were talking. Deer that smell humans everyday, won't be as skiddish as river bottom deer who hardly ever smell humans.
JT262
Well-Known Member
Have used ever calm last year would put it out in front on a trail camera and was amazed to the action I saw in front of it but I will say never had a mature buck on the camera but that could be the fact I rarely get many mature bucks where I live maybe once each year one will show up but never do see them for what that's worth
