Whitetail deer hunting in reality is more of [...]]]> Hunters can be well knowledgeable of many deer hunting tactics, but those who don’t consider it important to understand the role of scents in whitetail deer hunting, are doomed to season after season of frustration. This is an area that will make or break a hunter’s season!

Whitetail deer hunting in reality is more of a science than it is a sport. We aren’t throwing or hitting a ball around or displaying our marksmanship at paper targets, we are dealing with living animals who want to stay alive. And they’re equipped with well-tuned senses and skills to help them avoid predators, natural or human. The whitetail deer’s sense of smell is one of their greatest assets to enable them to detect the presence of potential predators. Hunters should understand the whitetail deer’s sense of smell well before its time to enter the woods. Hunters, therefore, need a thorough understanding of scents in whitetail deer hunting.

Whitetail deer can smell hunters a mile away. That’s because we enter their world (the woods) from our human world with all its various natural, unnatural and artificial/chemical scents. These scents are all on us and on our clothes. If you just walk into the woods smelling like that, the whitetail deer will be as aware of your entry as if you had blown your truck horn and yelled “I’m Here, I’m Here”. Back in the early 80’s when I was a teenager I was told I just needed skunk scent to keep the deer from smelling me. Expert deer hunters do much more than use skunk scent nowadays. They understand the role of scents in whitetail deer hunting and will go to great length to control these scents. Everything from bathing to washing and storing hunting clothes to keeping scent free while headed to the deer stand is critical. Once on the deer stand other scent control measures are necessary to combat the whitetail deer’s sense of smell.

As one can see, its a major challenge to take on the whitetail deer’s sense of smell. Its probably the most important factor in whitetail deer hunting. Lower on the totem pole are things like the hunter’s type of gun or bow, his camouflaging, his marksmanship. The hunter who seriously works at controlling his scents as well as employing other expert whitetail deer hunting tactics will have a better chance of success.

For more in-depth information on scents in whitetail deer hunting as well as the whole field of whitetail deer hunting tactics as explained by an accomplished, expert guide and hunter, I recommend Charlie Hicks’ new e-book, Deer Hunting Secrets Exposed

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kirby_Dean
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There has been much discussion and controversy within the hunting community on what the ‘magic formula’ is composed of in regards to beating a buck’s nose.

From technologically advanced carbon-lined suits that absorb odor molecules, to magical mists that kill scent on contact, we’ve literally seen it all. There’s truly no telling what new [...]]]> -By Brandon Wikman

There has been much discussion and controversy within the hunting community on what the ‘magic formula’ is composed of in regards to beating a buck’s nose.

From technologically advanced carbon-lined suits that absorb odor molecules, to magical mists that kill scent on contact, we’ve literally seen it all. There’s truly no telling what new scent elimination business will launch next or the latest marketing strategy a company will use. I’ve been taught, just like any other hunter across the country that trial-and-error is the only method to personally test your week’s pay on products that mask, cover or ‘eliminate’ human odor.

It is from these tried-and-true life experiences in the woods hunting, that we brew our own assumptions and conclusions. Personally, I’ve always believed that a deer will smell you 100% of the time once downwind of your location. No matter what you wear, how you smell, or what you see on television.

I do happen to think that using products that help minimize your odor is important, but not exclusive. Let’s take a look at an example: Any hunter who walks out of a restaurant, jumps into his truck, changes into his carbon-lined suit with a few sprits of scent eliminator and thinks he’s going to beat a buck’s nose is crazy, period.

Even though a deer will usually smell you once it’s downwind of your location, it doesn’t give you reason to skimp on the necessary steps in controlling your scent. I base my opinion on personal experience and priceless lessons from veteran hunters. The keyword is ‘minimize’, not eliminate. You will never totally eliminate every human-bearing scent particle that escapes your body, but on the other hand you can severely minimize it.

I’ve had deer directly downwind of me that never spooked, blew, or stomped. Although, they did lick their nose and toss back their head sniffing the foreign scent. They sniffed me out like we do a batch of freshly baked cookies, yet my scent wasn’t overpowering. Deer seemed to deal with the foreign odor and accept that a human was in the area at one time, but not specifically knowing when. I believe that is the difference between smelling like a human and smelling minimally like a human that sat in the stand a few days ago.

The moral of the story is that you cannot fully rely on using powder-based, plastic wrapped, next generation styled products that promise the world. I think we can all agree on how sometimes marketing and advertising can be deceiving, but that is how the game is played. It is our duty to make the better judgment and put our own seal of approval on a product.

The only tactic I do rely on is the old farm trick I use when hunting back at home. Considering the whitetail where I grew up were used to the potent smell of manure, silage, and tractors, I spent the afternoon at my uncle’s dairy farm before walking to my tree stand! Not only did it help me stuff meat in the freezer, but also arrow a few exceptional bucks.

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It has been a minute since I have posted. I spent my summer loving and enjoying my family and didn’t take the time to post. I hope that all have had similar experiences with their families as they are a true blessing in every since of the word.

Fall approaches… I know it sure [...]]]>
Hello all,

It has been a minute since I have posted. I spent my summer loving and enjoying my family and didn’t take the time to post. I hope that all have had similar experiences with their families as they are a true blessing in every since of the word.

Fall approaches… I know it sure doesn’t seem that way with temps reaching in the 90’s everyday, but it is. The bow season starts the last week of September here in Tennessee. And so…. I need to go shoot my bow from now until bow season is over. I have been out a few times this summer but admittedly I don’t shoot much when it is hot.

Last year I wrote a post on Scentlok clothing and issued a challenge to them. I requested a free Scentlok suit to trial their product (which would be sent back after the test) and then report an unbiased review of them. As I expected, I never heard a word from them. I can’t say that I blame them because I am just a small time blog writer. Why take the chance of getting bad press?

Well, I bit the bullet. I bought the Scentlok suit and face mask. I will be buying the hat and gloves sometime soon. I will try these items as directed and report on them again throughout the bow season. I must admit that I am somewhat skeptical of the suit. On the other hand I have had some very compelling comments on the subject on my previous post. So, I decided to try it and see.

I bought the Savanna EXT deluxe coveralls for $159.95 at Bass Pro Shop. This seemed like the right first purchase. It is lower priced then the jacket and pants together and it is designed for hotter weather. If this works flawlessly then I may consider buying the suit intended for colder temps. This may even last for the entire season here in Tennessee. I will have to see. A full report will be made in October.

If anyone has had any experience with Scentlok clothing please post your comments. I would like to collect as many opinions as I can throughout the year to give a fair accounting of these products.

God Bless,
Sean

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