Who uses deer scent?

mountain lion · October 05, 2015, 09:43:00 PM

Do any of you folks use deer scents like estrus and all that? I always put the wind in my face and never expect the deer to come from my down wind side so how would that work? I used to use a drag rag when I was younger but haven't done it in years. Does anyone have any success using scents and how do you use them?

MO Bow · October 06, 2015, 04:20:00 AM

I use drag rags and criss cross known trails. I'll also hang a wick or two nearby.

Seems like when I use the drag rags it'll get them to stop and put their nose down and not pay attention to the big guy in the tree above them. The wick serves the same purpose.

I never used them as an attractant...just used them to get their attention when they're already close by and to divert their eyes away from me.

it's also pretty fun watching a young buck get confused as hell trying to figure out where that doe went.

I also found that leaving a little scent nearby, that if a buck decides to leave the area and i couldn't get a good shot, it's easier to call them back after they seem to lose interest.

anything to pique their curiosity...

Michael Arnette · October 06, 2015, 08:50:00 AM

I never had any success so just quit all together. The only exception is mock scrapes ect I'll use them then. I think the biggest problem with scents is that if you are putting it down you are also laying your scent out in the same area...I think it works on suburban deer that go over human scent all the time better than rural and deep woods deer who are less used to non threatening human scent.

October 06, 2015, 08:59:00 AM

Like everything else, I think the scents work in some situations, and not so much in others.

I think the composition of your deer herd has a lot to do with it. When you are trying to lure in bucks with scents or rattling, I think it works much better on well managed places where the buck to doe ratios are as closer to 1:1. My reasoning for this thinking is this; If you have an area with a 1:1 (or very low buck to doe ratio) then the bucks have to fight to get the does to breed with. When they smell the scents or hear the rattling, they are much more likely to come to investigate, thinking it might lead to a one night stand with a doe!

On places where the buck to doe ratio is much higher (which would be almost everywhere where there is not some serious deer herd mgmt), There are plenty of girls to go around! If a buck smells a scent or hears some rattling from off in the distance, I don't think he would be as compelled to go investigate as seriously as the buck in the area where there are not as many does.

I also think timing is VERY important when trying to use the estrus scents!

Bisch

double eagle · October 06, 2015, 08:59:00 AM

I've always had great success with Trails End 307. I've used it as a cover scent and had does spin around and come to the scent bomb. Pretty cool to see that and it smells like licorice. Not a bad scent to have around the house, clothes, or truck. I had bucks walkin 3yds downwind of Golden Estrus and never even care.

J. Cook · October 06, 2015, 09:08:00 AM

I use it some - with mixed results of course. I do like the James Valley scents the best. They are a gel and seem to hold their potency much better. If I know it's the peak of the rut I'll hang some dominant buck lure out. In WV (where I do most of my hunting) the herd is so unbalanced that hanging doe estrous has never worked for me. The WV bucks are set up like elk, in that they have a harem of does to chose from.

My all-time favorite "Scent" is the tarsal gland of a buck from the same area. That seems to draw more attention then anything I've ever used. We just cut it off and hang it.

We always used film canisters with a clothespin taped to it as a "holder" and clip it to a branch. They were great but it sure it difficult to come across a film canister any more.

I can't say for sure that I've ever had a scent bring a deer into my area that wasn't already coming there, but it does help to stop them for the desired shot, and/or keep them in the area a little longer and maybe get their focus off of you.

stack · October 06, 2015, 11:03:00 AM

Tinks 69 on a white piece of cloth pinned to the tail of a decoy. Had bucks come 200yards across hay fields to check it out. I think the white moving in the breeze catches their attention.

October 06, 2015, 11:26:00 AM

Scents are fun to try, to see if you get a response. I have had estrus scents work really well, with a buck charging along the scent stream, or destroying a mock scrape, and I have had deer freak out and run, and I have had deer do absolutely nothing. It kinda depends.......

mark land · October 06, 2015, 11:57:00 AM

Religiously! I use Bowhunters Setup since the 1st day I was introduced to it and mostly use as a cover and curiosity scent and to stop deer or bring deer to a spot I want to shoot them at. I don't normally use rut or sex type scents but have, on occasion used them to doctor up a scrape nearby or place at certain spots to attract attention from a passing buck.
I have just seen too much positive reaction from using the setup scent that I have faith in it, but I also am very conscientious of my own scent and covering it as well, wearing rubber boots, spraying down with scent eliminator, etc. Without doing the whole process you results cane be erratic.

Sam McMichael · October 06, 2015, 02:26:00 PM

I use them from time to time and can't really say they have had much effect one way or the other.

JohnV · October 06, 2015, 02:33:00 PM

I have used them off and on for 30 years or so. Never had much success that I could directly attribute to the scent.

October 06, 2015, 02:58:00 PM

Considering that last time I went out, the gnats didn't like where I was sitting, so they moved me and bug dope made no difference, today, I will be using a blend of Latakia and Virginia in a corncob pipe. I will need to keep an eye on those downwind deer sneaking in on me.

abbatoys · October 06, 2015, 03:00:00 PM

Never had any luck using buck / doe scents. Bought one of those drippers but have yet to use it. I do use a spray cover scent on my clothes.

John Scifres · October 06, 2015, 04:23:00 PM

My first trad kill was the result of a young buck following a drag to my stand. I still try them every year but don't have a lot of success. It's worth $6 or so during the rut. I use Trail's End most of the time.

highlow · October 06, 2015, 04:33:00 PM

I've had some success using it as a drag. Not so much just hanging one in a nearby bush. Can't hurt as far as I'm concerned.

pete p · October 06, 2015, 04:55:00 PM

a guy needs to define "success" when talking about scents. will a little drag rag of fake doe estrus pull in a buck who lives in a woods full of real "tail"?? doubtful. will a properly placed scent post stop a buck that was already cruising thru?? probably...and if so it did its job. Go with James Valley or Smokeys, stay away from fake/cattle pee from the big stores.

Recurve7 · October 06, 2015, 05:10:00 PM

I have little confidence in attractants. And even less in cover scents. I have two German Shepherds I do Schutzhund work with. Cover up scents can't begin to fool them, and a deer's sense of smell is superior.

Justin Falon · October 06, 2015, 08:39:00 PM

I've got about 10,000 game camera images of deer responding to smokeys deer lure. I swear by it.
But, it's got to be used correctly.

7 Lakes · October 06, 2015, 08:40:00 PM

Dogs can sniff out bombs & drugs sunk inside the gas tanks of auto's. I suspect the deer nose is even better. I doubt if you can cover or put out a scent that will fool a deer.

After that being said.... Deer are curious creatures and often follow scents/sounds just out of curiosity. Several times I have spotted deer down wind of me (old fat guy) while I was running a chain saw. Now I doubt if deer are attracted to the old fat guy smell but they did show up.

My guess you can't fool a deers nose but you can possibly push his "what the hell is that" button.

frank bullitt · October 08, 2015, 12:37:00 PM

Just read an article, in Virginia,all deer urine and tarsal glands, banned!