Extreme Scent Control

[OneCam]

Scent Control is a very popular topic in the hunting community - countless articles have been written on procedures to stay clean and odor free . . . shower before each hunt, use odor eliminator, wash your clothes in a special soap, store your clothes in a scent free container, wear rubber boots and so on.

It's pretty common for most bowhunters to have this routine down to a science and if you don't it is something that is strongly recommended.

What else can we do though? I recently saw a new product - gum-o-flauge - which helps with breath odor. It sounds like a good concepts and seems to be taking Scent Control to the extreme. I won't be using any special gum this year but I will be taking Chlorophyll every day (starting two week prior to the season). Chlorophyll is a natural deodorizer for the body it's effects aren't immediate however after a week or two of taking it your Body Odor or "BO" and breath will be less "aggressive". Recommended dosages are 100mg twice a day and you can purchase it over the counter in tablet or liquid forms.

Another hint which hasn't been written terribly much about regards the undergarments you wear - perspiration as I understand is basically odorless but when it's allowed to stay in contact with the skin especially when trapped in a clothing material next to the skin it becomes a breading ground for bacteria which causes "BO". Recommended under-garments would be non-cotton wicking material. Also consider some of the newer materials that are specifically designed to prevent bacteria from forming.

Those are a few of my Extreme Scent Control measures - what are yours?

 

[muddy]

i enrolled in a class at the university called "Bonker scent control 101" hope it helps.

seriously though, i am just keeping my clothes clean, keeping myself clean, and keeping my equipment clean. combine it with some heads up hunting tactics and i think i'll be golden.

 

[Critter]

One thing some hunters might not think of is letting your stands (climbers), and sticks air out well before the season starts. After the season mine go down in the basement, but as of now they are outside hanging up off the ground(where nothing can chew them up). Most people might already do this, but for those of you who haven't already, it might be a good idea.
CRITR

 

[River1]

There is a product named "Pit Stop", which is sold by the Screaming Eagle Co. It is an antibacterial deoderant which after a couple applications will stop odors for around a couple weeks. I have used this the last few seasons and would recommend it to others.

http://www.e-screamingeagle.com/

 

[Shredder]

Bonkers concept from a year ago is logical in a sence with shaving......All I do is shave my head and carry some wet naps of scent eliminator and rub off the oils and scent that come about during midday.

I also never get dressed until I am out in the area to hunt. In late Nov early dec, I still drive to my hunting area in sweats or shorts and get dressed in the back of the truck.

I also spray down my gear with the scent elimination products daily to remove any foreign odors they have picked up.

I may give the chlorophyll a try this fall to see if it works as well.....any added measure is worth the effort in my opinion.

 

[scout]

This may sound like BS to some but here it is. I just don't stink. Thats over stating the issue but honestly, I consider myself one of the fortunate ones that seem to resistant to the formation of the bacteria that causes the odor! My skin won't take much toying with when it comes to scent eliminators. As an example, I break out into a serious itching rash if I use Hunters Speciaties Scent-Away body soap. I learned that on my first bear hunt.

I do used the scent eliminator sprays but if I wiped it on my skin I'd know it in a little while.
I swear by IVORY SOAP (99 44/100 % pure

)
The biggest buck I ever killed bedded with a doe 45 yards down wind for an hour before I grunted him in.
Ever notice how some guys just stink? Poor fellas.
As for extreme measures, I think the point should also be made that due to all the hype and product pushing over scent elimination many hunters shoot them self in the foot by bringing to much stuff into the woods. Fresh earth eliminator- acorn cover- doe in heat attractant- coon cover- buck lure - ect.
I friend of mine went vegitarian for 30 days prior to season in an effort to not smell like a predator!
They call him TATTER SALAD!

 

[Fishbonker]

Last year I tried one of the super duper N-95 surgical masks under my scent-lok hood/face cover. It was too tight and rubbed against the facemask making noise. Not to mention I think it was causing me to retain CO2. I found myslef panting, took the mask out from underneath the cover and was better in just a few minutes. This year I may try one of the thinner masks that fit tighter to the face. Shouldn't retain CO2 and thinner so it may not rub.

I was over at CIA Wednesday and those snake oil sales men sold me a pack of that gum-o-rip-off. Just kidding, it wasn't Wednesday, it was Thursday. I bought it because my wife got such a kick out of it. I do think Brad or Bob or Blane or Benny or what ever his name was could sell refigerators to Eskimos. CIA is truly a man store. Bows, guns and BS. Enjoyed meeting them, not as much, I'm sure, as they enjoyed taking my money.

The 'Bonker

 

[alaskanwhtail]

One Cam I know about this remedy and it really works good. Only side effect is it turns your (you know what) Green... But dont let that scare anyone off

 

[ironwood]

My scent control changes for this year will include:

-a base layer with the silver tread that is suppose to wick the perspiration away and prevent BO. These products, X Scent or X static, are the price of a good set of hi Tec long johns.
- The use of the Ghost for the first time.
- Gum-o-flauge.
- 18" rubber boots.

Picture of this years trophy to follow.

 

[avidhunter]

It's funny to think that it wasn't 2 deer seasons ago that I had envisioned the idea of a "Gum" product, to cover breath odor... someone obviously beat me to the punch in the marketing dept. there...

However, I don't think that anyone needs to buy any special gum, I suggest brushing your teeth with baking soda, and perhaps sucking on some green apple hard candy. The Chlorophyll pills sound interesting.

You might also try an ancient Native American scent control technique for hunting, in addition to your clothing scent elimination regimen:

Fast for 3 days prior to the hunt - drinking only water, and setting up a sweat tent, or sauna, to release all the body's toxins

 

[Fishbonker]

I'm not sure what is in gum-o-flage, I haven't read the label so this might pretain to gum-o-flauge too, you have to remeber that sugar is what bacteria thrive on so if the goal is to decrease odor caused by bactreia in your mouth you wouldn't want to feed 'em apple candy. Unless, of course, it was sugar free.

The 'Bonker

 

[Fletch]

Expanding on a point CRITR made...a lot of hunters focus exclusively on themselves and their clothes but forget about their equipment. Bows and Arrows (especially fletching)can pick up odors from around the house, truck or at the range on a hot day. Stands, sticks, rattling antlers, safety harnesses and even calls (especially when practicing a snort/wheeze after one of my wife's spagetti dinners) have odors. I clean all my equipment with unscented soap and scent remover, leave it outside for a couple days and then store it in a sealed container out on the deck. My bow is cleaned and then stored in a hard case that has been aired out thoroughly.