Deer use their noses for a number of tasks, with protecting themselves from predators, (including humans) being the number one use. Running an important second is finding a mate. If you can control and reduce your human scent, you will be a more successful hunter; if you can learn how to present odors that are attractive to deer, you will be on the road to those trophy bucks. Wildlife Research has a new DVD available with solid information on both human and deer odors, called Scent Secrets. This list is just a preview; visit www.wildlife.com for more details.

Tip 1: It’s in The Air.
Deer constantly check the air for danger, and they are fast to respond if they find anything they think is a threat. It is almost impossible to completely eliminate your scent, but if you can reduce your smell to a minimal amount, the animal will not be alarmed.

Tip 2: First Time is The Charm.
The first time you hunt on a stand is often the most effective, because human odor molecules can build up around a stand and increase every time it is used. Your boots, pants, and body parts brushing against foliage can leave human scent as you walk through the woods. The more often you are in one area, the more likely it is that the deer will detect your odor.

Tip 3: Keep it Clean.
Wash all of your hunting clothing with a detergent designed to leave no human scent. Store and transport your hunting clothing in a clean, airtight container or plastic bag. Hang clothing outside, away from car exhaust, camp fires, or barbeque grills. When you shower, use scent-free soap and shampoo designed for hunters, and use a washcloth and towel washed in scent-free detergent.

Tip 4: Keep Looking, And Sniffing.
Use an anti-scent spray on all your clothing, and avoid tobacco smoke and food odors. Start looking at everything as a potential odor problem. How about your watch, glasses, or wallet, and what did you step in with those boots in the last few months? Silver Scent is a product that uses a unique technology, and several hunters I know swear by it.

Tip 5: What Kind do You Choose?
There are several types of scents, and deer respond to them differently:
Territorial or challenge type scent – urine, or a scent from the same animal that you are hunting, which will be seen as a challenge to a resident buck.
Hunger/food scent – use early or late in the season, and for does during the rut.
Curiosity scent – other scents that deer find interesting, most effective early in the season, or anytime for does.
Sex-type scents – most effective for bucks, two weeks before rut to end of season.

Tip 6: Drip, Drip, Drip.
The drip method of dispensing scent can improve success. There are a wide variety of wicks, drippers, foams, and solid scent dispensers. Scrape drippers can be set up to drip only during specific parts of the day, forcing bucks to visit during daylight.

Tip 7: Cover it Up.
Cover scents imitate plants, food, urine of other animals, or earth. Their smell is fairly strong, but not offensive to deer. Red fox urine, coon urine, or plant extracts like pine or cedar, work well.

Tip 8: Scrapes.
Hunt over natural scrapes, or create mock ones. When creating mock scrapes, use a stick, rather than scraping with your feet. Your boots can impart odor to the earth that deer can easily detect.

« Top »