Cover Scents

[MrFurious]

Just curious as to what everyone uses.

Personally, I'm hooked on HS Scents "Fresh Earth" scent wafers and spray. I keep a waffer in the bag with my gear, then spray down with the Fresh Earth spray when I get to the field for added assurance. If its really windy, I'll also hang a waffer from my hat or jacket.

Last season I used #307 Trails End on my trail drag, but I'm going to try something different this year. Last season I watched 2 deer cross my entry path, sniff at the ground, then get really alert before shooting off out of sight.

[M.Magis]

I know this won't be the popular opinion, but I think cover scents are really a waste of time and money. Every study I've read has concluded that the whitetail can differentiate between AT LEAST seven different odors at one time. Seems kind of silly to try to fool their nose with one simple smell. I've also heard a lot of stories of deer going on alert when they smell them. In defense of cover scents, I've never actually used them to back up my beliefs. I prefer to smell like nothing.

[Thunderflight]

Since deer can tell the difference between seven different smells I always wear at least eight to nine different cover scents..

I figure the odds are in my favor that the deer won't smell the human scent....:)

Seriously I don't use them either. I watch the wind, wear clean rubber boots, take my weekly shower and (if it's cool enough) wear my scent lok suit. Worked great last year.

TF

[chopiq]

I have to agree with Magis, I never have used scents. I don't know why, just never needed them. I've limited out every year. I read once that when someone uses raccoon urine that a deer thinks a man and a raccoon must be out for a walk, meaning that the deer can distinguish the smells. i pay alot attention to wind.

[george tinkham]

i use nothing but what i was born with,i try to dilute it as much as possible an i stay clean,an i cut my hair to a # 1,shave close with no scent and do not use any soap or reg. shampoo,drink only apple cider an water...no pop or anything sweet.only cerial to eat.this cuts down on smelly sweat reeking from your sweat pores.clean sweat is the goal.you can never predict what the wind will do...if you leave everytime the wind changes you will never see a deer but they will see you before they smell you...dont be a mover.at least you can control if a deer will see you.scent/wind is a lot luck ,just right at the right time or the deer may come right in from downwind.i have had the wind coming the wrong way more times than i like to think then here comes mr deer coming from the opposite direction i figured him to come from,but the wind is perfect,,,presto nice big buck...now aint i the expert,geeze all luck

[Q2XL]

all i use is scent lok suit ,rubber boots and scent away spray and thats it. sometimes durin the rut ill ut a tarsal gland and some doe in heat in my scent dripper but no more than that.and i also shower with descentin soap.

[XX78]

MrFurious

I agree with you. I use the wafers in my clothes bag, and use the standard army of body wash, scent spray, cover-up etc. I equate my hunting prep to a surgeon prepin for surgery. all it takes is one bacteria to ruin the whole surgery, much like it takes one good nose to ruin ur hunt.

[eschatts]

I use the fresh earth. I have used it ever since it came out. I can't say for certain that it helps. I guess it can't hurt either. I also use scent away spray on my hunting clothes.

Ed

[Caribou Dreamer2]

I wash all my cloth in fresh earth soap and store my clothing in a plastic tuib with earth waffers in the tub.Now as for cover scents in the field i used to use alot of coon urine on my boots but i have faired away from using it so much and i never notice a change in my deer sitings.

[MrFurious]

I really like the scent waffers. They're relatively cheap and last for an incredibly long time if you keep them sealed up. I've have the same ones in my clothing bags for 3 years now, and they're still as strong as ever.

On another note, I'd like to get some opinions on another angle to my scent questions. I was talking to an old timer about cover scents, and he made a comment about never using anything that smells like food (i.e. acorn scent waffers and the like) as it will make a deer more attentive as it seeks out the source of the scent for a quick snack.

I'd never given it much thought, but I think the guy has a valid point. Just think about how quickly you can pick up the smell of the neighbors BBQ'ing and how you look around trying to figure out where the smell is coming from.

[XX78]

IMO i think the ol timer's point is valid, but very mute. I understand the logic behind the statement, but you are comparing apples to oranges. heres my .02 on the question

fact: the whitetails brain is tiny compared with that of a humans. that could result in three different scenarios. 1. Deer are so dumb that they won't associate the smell with food and investigate. 2. there so primitive that smell association is the best thing they do and they will investigate. 3. to compensate for a small brain, the whitetail's olfactory system is incredibly advanced which could have the ability to recognize a scent that us humans think smells like acorns, when in actuality it doesn't.

Gladly these all these can be supressed by using a little conditioning. Would you act the same way towards the neighbors bbq if he did it every day...... if your answers yes, well then I can't help you, but if it is no then I think you will understand where Im coming from.

if that wafer "truly" smells like a natural, abundant food source, I wouldn't worry about it.

if it doesn't an old one out in the woods for a few weeks & let em get used to it.

Just watch the wind and shoot the $#%$%^!!!!!!!!

[george tinkham]

a couple places i hunt you can smell coffee and bacon fryin in the mornin from the farm house...so i guess i outta scent up with that