Cheap cover scent...

[KSQ2]

I was looking through the latest bowhunter magazine and read a tip from the mosseyoak question and answer page they always have. I think bill winke did this particular one. He said he'd known some very successful hunters to hang their clean camo around a small campfire for a few hours. Supposedly whitetails aren't afraid of wood smoke and it's a very cheap and effective cover scent. Any of you ever tried it?

 

[Liv4Rut]

I would think if they aren't scared of wood smoke, then people would encourage others to smoke in the woods.

 

[Limb Chicken]

SSSSHHHhhhhhhhhhhhh!

 

[Skully]

I was watching a show on the Outdoor Channel one night where a couple who had hunted together for years was preparing for a hunt. The woman went out in the driveway and made a small fire from some kindling and leaves. She then got down wind of the fire and knelt down into the smoke, fluffing her hair and clothes to take in the scent. She said it was an old Indian hunting trick that had worked for her many times. I found it very interesting.

 

[JNRBRONC]

The neighbor has a wood stove as the main source of heat for their house. I figure that the deer would be used to smoke in our area, but maybe not this smoke.

Most likely isn't cheap, either.

 

[buckknife]

Yes it will work.Ive read about it in a survial manual one time.I also read about it on a web page i stumbled on to one day about these people who dont hunt,they touch animals.There bigest thrill was not to shoot a animal but to touch it

Red fox was suposed to be the toughest creature to touch if you can belive them

anyway the cover scent they used was campfire smoke.Being the adventures knucklehead i am i gave it a try.
I smoked my predator camo good the night before and was in the stand before the sun rose.I also had a scent drip bag on a mock scrape that had been active for 3 weeks.I was located about 40 yards from the scrape in my stand.Around 8.30 a doe came trotting my way with a decent 10 pointer.He was 15 yards out and coming into a perfect line for a broad side shot and i had the bow back just waiting for him to clear a small bush.well he hit my scent,he stoped and turned and walked directly behind me and came on the other side of the tree at about 5 yards.I was only 8 foot off the ground and he stoped right beside me.The thought of a head shot almost entered my mind but i knew better.He would look at the direction of the scrape and stomp his hoof for what seemed like forever.He adventually took a few more steps and decide he lost intrest in the scrape and gave me a shot when he turned.After that i got to thinken this wood smoke stufff might be alright.
Over the years i gave it up mainly because you have to wash your hunting close every time before you hunt and resmoke them or they will smell like a cat took a whiz on you.They loose there wood smoke flavor in a short time and turn into a awfull smell that really stunk bad.
A earth scent waffer works about as good,it wont spookem but they know somethings there.Hopefully not me.

 

[Ghost]

There are hunters who swear by "smoke'n up"...

They gather up leaves in the Fall, burn the leaf pile and "get smoked" prior to hunting.

For me, no scent is still the best scent...

 

[WKP - Todd]

I have heard the same thing, and believe that of all "cover" type scents; Smoke has probably the most merrit.

I agree 100% with Ghost though, the best scent is no-scent!

 

[buckknife]

What i have found when i did do the smoke thing was that a deer when he would pick up the smell would change direction just enough so it wouldnt smell it any more and then proceed in the same direction it was going.
When i use the earth scent wafer i most often just throw one in with my cammo in a bag after the hunt that way it smells earthy but not over earthy

When a deer picks up the scent they most often stop and sniff the air and do the lip curl.I try to set up where the deer hopefully wont come directly down wind of me but sometimes it dont work out that way.Im not saying the earth scent is a sure thing because it aint but ive never seen one snort and bolt from it.They either decide to leave at the same pace they came or they come on forward.Well maybe once but i think it was the site of me more than the scent.Maybe thats why it took me awhile to find the right woman

I was siten on the ground blowen a deer call on and off for a good hour.Out of nowares i heard a loud whizzy snort like it was right in my ear.Scared me half to death.I turned my head to see and there was a 4 pointer less than 5 yards behind me.Didnt take him more than a second to peel out.Good thing,took me twice that long to get over my near heart attack

 

[Tom]

Cow poop makes a good cover scent too! Roll in it and cover yourself from head to toe. It makes for a really enjoyable hunt.

I've heard of lots of folks using smoke as a cover scent, but have never talked to anyone who stuck a booner while smelling like an oak on fire.

IMO being as scent free as humanely possible and playing the wind is still the best way to hunt big deer! Short cuts equal short tines.

 

[Buckhunter]

Fire,Smoke,Charcoal,It's used in scent suit's?

It all add's up.Might have to try it sometime doe hunting.Would not want to try it looking for Mr.BIG.

 

[Skully]

[ QUOTE ]
Cow poop makes a good cover scent too! Roll in it and cover yourself from head to toe. It makes for a really enjoyable hunt.

[/ QUOTE ]

Knock it off! I just got a visual of Rambo blending into a creek bank covered in cow poo waiting for a deer to come by so he could stab it with his survival knife!

Thank God its friday, I need a drink!