The whole process begins well before hunting season starts. I keep all my clothing year round in rubbermaid bins or hangers in a cedar lined closet in the man cave...A few weeks prior to the season, I wash all of my clothes in an odor eliminating soap. Im not a big fan of masking odor, but rather killing it so I like to use Scent Killer or one of the new Primos brand washes with Silver. I have also used baking soda as an effective wash. Once the wash is done, I then dry the clothing either on a line outside in the back yard or tumble dry with an odor free dryer sheet. I sometimes use a dirt scented dryer sheet but I don't like to go to heavy on artificial odors.
When the wash and dry is complete.....I take all the clothing and group it into a full hunts outfit and place it directly into a
"green bag" This includes everything from socks, gloves, mask, long johns, pants, shirt, jacket, and my "drive to the field wear" I have a couple bags and a couple outfits of clothing that I can use for a few different hunts. Any remaining clothing is placed in a rubbermaid container until I need it.
Along with my clothing, I also try and minimize the odor from my person. I never wear cologne....Much to the chagrin of my Wife....She always wants me to "smell yummy" but I will not from August 'til February....And not during turkey season for that matter because if a deer busts me while Im hunting birds they could spook the Turkeys...hehe
I do not allow smoking in my house or vehicle...I don't care who you are!
And finally I shower in a scent free soap.
I will again point to the newer scent free soaps that contain silver ion. I wash my body and hair (which I also keep short for less scent) with the liquid soap every morning I hunt.....It kinda stinks that I cant take another shower before a quick hunt after work but thats the breaks...On evenings like that I use a scent eliminating wipe if I'm sweaty and smelly. I also use a scent free deodorant. The only problem with hunters branded deodorants is that I have found they do not last as long. I have tried a few kinds of scent free everyday consumer sticks as well.
After the shower is complete I jump into my ride to clothes. I am a big fan of throwing a pair of Adidas work out pants on over my LJs and a T or sweat shirt that I can either change out of or leave on. They have been treated and shoved in my green bag as well. I always try to get gas and snacks before hand so I don't have to stop on the way to the field...I definitely will not be wearing my hunting boots anyway but I don't want the smell on my fingers from the pumps. I do need coffee so I stop at Dunkin' Donuts as they have a drive through and I don't have to go inside.
Once to location I complete the final step in my process. The spray down. I have used about every product available over the last 25 years and can really not single out a sure winner. I am going to again lean on the new Silver XP from Primos as everything I have read regarding the silver ion is pretty telling when you get down to it.
None of the guys on the team use any Scent Blocking type carbon clothing as a rule....They may own some but I don't believe anyone of they guys is sold on it. I have worn some of the Medalist gear with the Silver Fiber as an under layer.
I guess to sum it all up...1. We stink! 2. Deer have an acute sense of smell... 3.Do whatever is necessary to beat a bucks nose!
In the course of writing this I discovered that apparently I am a big fan of Silver?! hehe
Hope this can help somebody...any tips or tricks you may have I would love to hear as I always love to check out other peoples methods.
Reading your post sounds like my trip to the woods BUT durning the off season I wash my clothes and put then in the "space saver bags". The ones you use the vacume to suck all thr air out of. They take up less room and I feel "KEEPS" the oders out of the clothing storeing them !!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post looking forward to more !!!
Thanks for the tips. I agree with everything you have said about scent control. I would like to add 2 tips that I think are very important.
ReplyDelete1. No matter how scent free you think you might be a deer will still bust you if the wind is not right. I believe an important key to a succcessful hunt is to hunt when the wind is right.
2. I believe this to be the most important tip to increase your odds of a successfull hunt is..... don't urinate out of your blind window. LOL.