Do you use scent masking sprays? How effective do you think they are? :dunno:
I don't. They might help some - I really can't say they don't. But they certainly don't eliminate it.
I think that deer are so sensitive to scent that even if you cut it down by half that is still more than enough stink for a deer to pick up on.
Having the wind in your favor is the only way to fool a deers nose.
They seem to work pretty well for me. I've used scent away and scent blocker over the last two years and am able to get a lot closer to deer.
I don't use it to try and cover my body scent, only a favorable wind will do that.
I do however believe in using it on my pant legs and boots. It seems to greatly reduce scent I leave as I enter and leave my stands.
That in turn will "extend" the length of time before most of the local deer will know where you go to ambush them.
Not a cure all, but it seems to help.
I have thought about using it for that Charlie. Might have to give it a try for that.
I'm real particular about approaching my stands.
I trim all brush and leaves on my entry path, and tuck my pants into my rubber knee boots. While it does seem to help, the scent sprays might just be another tool in the box to eliminate as much as possible.
I agree with Charlie, I spray my legs and boots really well and deer seem to not get alarmed when they cross the path in which I walked.
Same here. Wind is the key, but scent sprays seem to greatly help cover your path.
God Bless,
Nathan
No. I assume I stink bad and work the wind accordingly.
I did accidently involve myself with buck lure last year. Some clown left a "spray bomb" in the woods on my property and I picked it up (and said a few nautical terms regarding his character for littering). As I continued on my way I heard a funny noise and looked down to see the can still must have had some pressure in it. My walking had unplugged the "one time use" lock open spray tip and it dumped a bunch of buck lure in my pant's cargo pocket. Then I REALLY used some nautical terminology regarding his ancestry and close relationship of his parents common ancestors! My camo pants still reek.
At least I think it's the buck lure?
QuoteOriginally posted by Stumpkiller:
Then I REALLY used some nautical terminology regarding his ancestry and close relationship of his parents common ancestors!
:laughing: :laughing:
What Charlie said for me.
I use the homemade scent eliminator recipe I got from here.And the only thing I do is get the hock pads from deer I kill or road kill(more road kill lately)and if I can get the urine(I use 30cc syringes from work. I put the hock pads on a string and drag them in and hang them and freshen them up with the urine.
A well planned approach and exit to and from your hunting location is paramount. I rely on cover scents for that part of the hunt(Like Charlie).
The wind can be your best or worst friend. I prefer to set-up such that he can be my ally.
What Charlie said X 2.
Stump, thanks, you had me rolling.
In addition, I spray the bottom of my boots too. For me,when hunting in the snow it makes a difference most the time, but not always. I do not believe it eliminates scent, but diffuses or reduces it enough that the deer do not pay as much attention to it.
yes
somewhat effective
When a deer can "sense" a human's presence even when the wind IS in our favor, it seems ridiculous that a spray could fool them. That said, I still spray my boots. More out of ritual/superstition than anything else. :)
i like keeping some scent killer on me during the hot season for a type of coolant!lol :goldtooth:
No I don't use a masking spray but do use an "eliminator" spray. Especially helpful to keep extra scent out of your hunting area with repeated sits.
i always set up my stand to take advantage of the wind but i have always used raccoon urine on the bottom of my boots. over the years i've had many deer "cut" my trail without being alarmed. the first of this year, i actually have a small four point trail me to my stand. watched him, with his nose to the ground, for about 80 yards come straight to me. guess he liked the smell of raccoon urine. what happened you ask? i missed him, twice!
I mostly used those dirt smelling wafers,, I do think they have a slight advantage as i have had deer down wind from me,,, these are urban deer who see or ehar people every day all year so maybe with very wild deer this stuff wouldn't work.
I spray down my boots and my pants before i get to my stand, and then my hole body once in the stand.I think every little bit helps when hunting mature animals.
I make my own cover scent/scent elimanator. I spray my boots and pants (knees down), each time into a stand. I have had good success, I have had many deer cut my trail without spooking.
However, I do agree that hunting the wind is the most important ingredient to success.
chris <><
I use the silver Xp by primos I dont know how much it really helps but i don't think it can hurt.
Yes and every little bit helps
I make my own cover scent also and have had NUMEROUS deer come in from down-wind.My largest bow killed buck was only 8 paces DOWN-WIND,with his nose in the tarsal gland from a deer a friend shot and gave me.Tarsal glands in distilled water are devastating to the w-t buck population on my place!!
There are 2 kinds - and most seem to get them confused.
1st are the ones that remove order. These will do a pretty good job of reducing existing oder. I know they will do this from using them on things like onion, gas, and skunk.
The other types are those that claim to mask, hide or cover an oder. Work great on humans - not at all with deer and most prey animals that use their nose to survive. They simply process all the oders available to them.
They seem to work somewhat but I make my own.
I totally agree with LostArra.I can't beleive the faith people put into it as well as there scent loc or what ever.When something like 80% of heat and your scent leaves through your head and don't forget about your breath.
I only ground hunt and set up my sites.I use the wind to enther.Stay in my favor while i'm there.And in my favor when I walk out.Most hunts don't like the wind but if you ground hunt THE WIND IS YOUR FRIEND.
I know when I walk out on my deck.Which farm I'm hunting and what site I'm going to hunt.
Prolly need some rose flavored chew or dip, on the stand, in case you come down with the pooties.
Spray your boots and pantlegs and use the wind to your advantage!
I've done both and been close in both cases. I've been close with the wind at my back, as I was in a swirling wind last Sat. I might try the tarsal trick.....pretty obvious. I store clothing in an airtight container and dress in the field.
Spray can't fool a deer. I've had a stone sheep sniff my boot, I've watched wt tail walk along the same path I came into my stand, and on my prints in the snow. I had a grizz 15ft under my stand and didn't know I was there. I didn't use spray any of it. I think it's all about wind.
A buddy of mine is a police dog man, he did a bunch testing while training his dog and it made no difference
spray is a false sense of security.however a little fox piss on the boots will never hurt.the commercial sprays is what I belive your talking about.
Old guy told me years and tears ago... If there are cows on the farm.. step in a cow pie... If there are horses find a pile and step in it.
The deer in these cases are "acquainted" with those scents... I do it when it needs to be done. I have had deer just walk across my trail and never "blink an eye".
Not me,I dont think it matters what you do except playing the wind in your favor