Scent Control When Hunting Is Critical

11/1/2010
HHG

Scent elimination is a key part of any hunt. For me it is a key part of EVERY hunt.

I’m not lucky like alot of people. I see guys that hunt in shorts and cut off t shirts all the time. Boy would that be nice. Even if I don’t look as good as I did in my younger days in a sleeveless shirt

I cover every single base I can when it comes to scent elimination. All of my hunting clothing is washed in scent free soap and kept completely separate from any other items that might “contaminate” them. I keep my boots in the back of my truck all of the time. When it rains, I will drop them in my tool box. Other than that, they stay outside and scent free (except the insides). My hunting bag? I keep that outside too. All of the time. If I get into it during the week to tune my bow, or something I am very careful what I do with it and where I leave it.

Doing this protects my basic outer wear against scent contamination in my opinion. I view that as my outer shell. Once I have that down I go to work on the stuff under that. Under clothes? Yep, they get washed with my camo scent gear, from t-shirts to socks, the whole set. A new set for each hunt.

Hats or caps that are worn regularly are NEVER worn when sitting in a tree stand. I wear a beanie that is also washed at the same time. For me, a beanie works better and keeps me warmer during a hunt. So, that’s what I use.

Remove watches and other items that you wear every day when you work. Before I head to the stand everything gets a good dose of scent eliminator. Boots inside and out, camo scent blockers a covering (even if they were washed in scent free soap), light coating on my bow, camera, tripod etc.

Building a routine will help eliminate 95% of your scent problems when hunting. There’s not a single thing I hate more that losing an opportunity for a shot because I cut a corner, or didn’t do something as simple as keep my scent under control.

When you get religious about your scent control, and you become more aware of your “human” presence in the field you will learn to control it on a level that most hunters don’t quite understand yet. Doing this will put you MUCH closer to your game, and will make you virtually invisible in the field.

Take the extra steps for scent control. You’ll be glad you did. All of your buddies will wonder why you get game 3 out of 3 hunts and they “don’t see anything”.

Best of luck in the field this month. Keep the rest of us hog hunters in mind and remember that what you do affects our reputations as well. And take a kid hunting…..you won’t regret it.

HHG

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