Being “Scent Free”
Most hunters already realize the value of minimizing human scent but there are some that downplay the importance
of a good scent control program. They say, “Just hunt the wind.” The first problem with that is deer downwind of the
stand are tipped off to the hunter’s presence. Your odds would be much better if deer could come in from 360
degrees without running into your scent. Next, the path taken to the tree stand will betray the hunter’s presence to
any deer that crosses it. So now the area downwind of the tree and the path taken to the tree are contaminated with
human scent. Worse yet, they will be that way long after the hunter leaves. Deer wander around comfortably at night
and many will come across the hunter’s scent. Deer remember where they encountered danger and will be on high
alert when in that area and they may even avoid the area entirely for days. This is what hunter’s refer to as a “burned
out” stand. For most of us who hunt on public land or have access to private property of limited size, we can’t afford
to burn out spot after spot. Last, wind changes direction. You can easily be downwind one minute and upwind the
next. Deer hunting is hard, don’t make it harder by underestimating your opponent.
Cover Scents
Some hunters frown on using scents. They make statements like, “The best scent is no scent.” That’s a catchy little
phrase but just because it rolls off the tongue easily doesn’t mean it's true. No scent is the first step, but rather than
stop there, it’s best to use a cover scent to obscure what little human scent may remain. The idea being to fill their
nose with lots of non-threatening scent molecules so its more difficult for the deer to pick out the few stray human
scent molecules that may be present. I spray Fall Essence on my boots and lower pant legs and raccoon urine on
the tree that I’ve set up in. These are very natural scents in the woods that I hunt in. Earth scent is another good
cover scent and lots of guys use cedar or pine. It makes no sense to think that cover scents are bad to use. A good
scent control program with the addition of a cover scent that is natural for your area, is better than a good scent
control program alone.
Most hunters already realize the value of minimizing human scent but there are some that downplay the importance
of a good scent control program. They say, “Just hunt the wind.” The first problem with that is deer downwind of the
stand are tipped off to the hunter’s presence. Your odds would be much better if deer could come in from 360
degrees without running into your scent. Next, the path taken to the tree stand will betray the hunter’s presence to
any deer that crosses it. So now the area downwind of the tree and the path taken to the tree are contaminated with
human scent. Worse yet, they will be that way long after the hunter leaves. Deer wander around comfortably at night
and many will come across the hunter’s scent. Deer remember where they encountered danger and will be on high
alert when in that area and they may even avoid the area entirely for days. This is what hunter’s refer to as a “burned
out” stand. For most of us who hunt on public land or have access to private property of limited size, we can’t afford
to burn out spot after spot. Last, wind changes direction. You can easily be downwind one minute and upwind the
next. Deer hunting is hard, don’t make it harder by underestimating your opponent.
Cover Scents
Some hunters frown on using scents. They make statements like, “The best scent is no scent.” That’s a catchy little
phrase but just because it rolls off the tongue easily doesn’t mean it's true. No scent is the first step, but rather than
stop there, it’s best to use a cover scent to obscure what little human scent may remain. The idea being to fill their
nose with lots of non-threatening scent molecules so its more difficult for the deer to pick out the few stray human
scent molecules that may be present. I spray Fall Essence on my boots and lower pant legs and raccoon urine on
the tree that I’ve set up in. These are very natural scents in the woods that I hunt in. Earth scent is another good
cover scent and lots of guys use cedar or pine. It makes no sense to think that cover scents are bad to use. A good
scent control program with the addition of a cover scent that is natural for your area, is better than a good scent
control program alone.
I've heard guys say, "You can't fool
the nose of a mature buck."
Nonsense. Trappers still setup for
and catch, fox and coyotes, right?
Canines have an even better sense of
smell than deer, yet still thousands
are lured in and trapped every year.
That isn't to say it's easy. Most
beginning trappers aren't successful
with fox right away. They have to
learn to get the details right. It's the
same for deer hunters. We have to
set our trap like a professional in
order to fool mature deer, but lots of
hunters do it every year and so can
you.
“There’s not enough deer in captivity
to pee in all those bottles.” If I hear
this one more time I’ll probably start
bleeding from the ears. The comment
is usually aimed at doe in heat urine
but sometimes is just a general
condemnation of all scents and lures.
How someone can think that the
number of deer in captivity has
anything to do with whether an acorn
or apple or musk scented lure works
is beyond me.
the nose of a mature buck."
Nonsense. Trappers still setup for
and catch, fox and coyotes, right?
Canines have an even better sense of
smell than deer, yet still thousands
are lured in and trapped every year.
That isn't to say it's easy. Most
beginning trappers aren't successful
with fox right away. They have to
learn to get the details right. It's the
same for deer hunters. We have to
set our trap like a professional in
order to fool mature deer, but lots of
hunters do it every year and so can
you.
“There’s not enough deer in captivity
to pee in all those bottles.” If I hear
this one more time I’ll probably start
bleeding from the ears. The comment
is usually aimed at doe in heat urine
but sometimes is just a general
condemnation of all scents and lures.
How someone can think that the
number of deer in captivity has
anything to do with whether an acorn
or apple or musk scented lure works
is beyond me.
Scent and lure attractants
Some guys will use a cover scent but
won’t use an attractant. The reasoning
goes something like this, deer have
been there and done that, so now they
don’t come into scent setups anymore,
they’re more likely to spook off. Well,
even if a deer has had a bad
experience, like coming into a scent
and finding a hunter instead of another
deer, they still have to use their nose;
to find food…to find each other… to
avoid danger. To think that deer, even
mature deer, won’t investigate an
attractive odor is silly. It would be like
saying that deer don't use their eyes
anymore. Yep, now that guys are using
camouflage, deer don't trust their own
eyes anymore. They just walk around
the woods with their eyes closed,
running into stuff. I'm sure you
appreciate that deer still use their
eyes, even if their eyes have been
fooled before and deer still use their
sense of smell even if their nose has
been fooled before. As long as deer
have noses, they can lured in with the
right scent.
Some guys will use a cover scent but
won’t use an attractant. The reasoning
goes something like this, deer have
been there and done that, so now they
don’t come into scent setups anymore,
they’re more likely to spook off. Well,
even if a deer has had a bad
experience, like coming into a scent
and finding a hunter instead of another
deer, they still have to use their nose;
to find food…to find each other… to
avoid danger. To think that deer, even
mature deer, won’t investigate an
attractive odor is silly. It would be like
saying that deer don't use their eyes
anymore. Yep, now that guys are using
camouflage, deer don't trust their own
eyes anymore. They just walk around
the woods with their eyes closed,
running into stuff. I'm sure you
appreciate that deer still use their
eyes, even if their eyes have been
fooled before and deer still use their
sense of smell even if their nose has
been fooled before. As long as deer
have noses, they can lured in with the
right scent.
As far as deer urine goes, my first
point is irrefutable. I, and many,
many hunters have had bucks
come in on a wire to doe in heat
urine, sometimes with drool
pouring out of their mouths. I
realize you may not know me,
but we can’t all be lying about
these experiences. Now I don’t
mean to suggest that every bottle
marked fresh doe in heat urine
actually is fresh doe in heat urine.
Maybe there aren’t enough deer to
pee in all those bottles, I really don’
t know. There are lots of deer
farms though, more than I ever
had realized. I think the best
way to feel comfortable about
what your buying is to deal with
a small guy that puts his own
name on the bottle. We buy
urine products from Jackie’s,
Mastin’s, James Valley, and
Blackie’s. I know these guys, I
trust them, and I believe they are
selling an honest product. But if
you’re still uncomfortable, we have
a nice selection of synthetic urine
scents as well.
point is irrefutable. I, and many,
many hunters have had bucks
come in on a wire to doe in heat
urine, sometimes with drool
pouring out of their mouths. I
realize you may not know me,
but we can’t all be lying about
these experiences. Now I don’t
mean to suggest that every bottle
marked fresh doe in heat urine
actually is fresh doe in heat urine.
Maybe there aren’t enough deer to
pee in all those bottles, I really don’
t know. There are lots of deer
farms though, more than I ever
had realized. I think the best
way to feel comfortable about
what your buying is to deal with
a small guy that puts his own
name on the bottle. We buy
urine products from Jackie’s,
Mastin’s, James Valley, and
Blackie’s. I know these guys, I
trust them, and I believe they are
selling an honest product. But if
you’re still uncomfortable, we have
a nice selection of synthetic urine
scents as well.
Scents or no sense?
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