Now I have to say I've never had a whole lotta luck with the stuff. But like a knot head every year I talk to one guy or another that's getting action. So here we go again. Who, how and what when is comes to the stuff??????
Ever heard of PT Barnum?
I got a guy that comes into my bar. If you're talking to mask a scent, for three generations they have used Vanilla Extract. Spray on the sole and clothes. Guess it works. Go figure?
I worry about the soles of my feet more than anything. Seen deer stop on a dime where I have walked.I do like a cover scent for that. I use a scent from fox pee that is native to my area. I believe it takes the right wind to fool a whitetail of an entire human body odor. No miracle scent or garment that works 100% if at all IMO.
My success rate went way up when I started scent reducing procedures.
If your talking about attracting deer, I like food scents early the start using esterous around pre-rut. I'm starting to get into mock scrapes and have been getting action.
What is a good one too is saving the tarsal glands off bucks I harvest. Last year I had a nice 8pt come into my area and stayed around convinced there was another buck there.
It works if you use there right scents at the right time and in moderation.
I don't believe in scent eliminators. Unscented soaps are o.k., but I don't purchase those hunter soaps. In my experience, you have to be careful about when to use estrous scents. Does will steer clear of you if they smell it, and none of the does have come in to heat yet. They snort and blow and run off. When the time is right, I use it, especially if I'm near an active scrape line. I keep my hunting clothes in a duffle that used to have an earth scent wafer in it. My clothes smell like freshly dug soil. I mainly pay attention to wind though.
I boil down some pine needles and whatever natural vegetation is available in that area and strain it with a coffee filter into a spray bottle. Then i spray myself and boots.It's more natural and won't spook deer.
Save the hocks off does. I think they work better then bucks. I've freshened up some scapes not going crazy just a bit of pee in the dirt. They've all been hit good. Things are starting to heat up. Week of the 9th should be great!!
Have had very mixed results with doe estrus scents, seen them come in fast and have seen them turn and beat feet.
One thing I always use and have had 100% excellent amazing performance with is Essence of Fall.
I spray on as a cover scent, especially on my boot soles. I have sat in a blind or a tree stand and have had the deer, bucks and does either completly ignore my trail or stop and literally start licking where I walked. This has happened to me a dozen times at least. Most amazing stuff I have ever used.
Had a few guys pming me for details on the scent I mentioned so I went out to the truck and got it.
It is made by Natures Essence Inc
called Essence of the Fall
Hope this helps, I paid 14 bucks for a bottle last time I bought it. Had the same two bottles for two years now, you don't use much.
I do know Cabelas does not carry it anymore due to them carrying their own brand partnered up with Primos and some other company.
I used to sell it in my trad archery shop by the case guys swore by it