Before the Hunt After The Hunt The Second Amendment Survival Awareness Dog Training Scent Control Hunting Fun Trophy Archive Food Plots Knot of the Day Wildlife Organizations
Memberlist Forum Profile Login Join
Contact Us Advertise Links Press Release

Scent Control Quick Tips

To me, scent control is the final act of preparation.  It may be the single issue that gets that deer, bear, or other big game within shooting distance instead of a foot stomp, snort, and gone forever.  You can find a lot of great information from product manufacturers like Scent-Lok, Wildlife Research (they have a very useful booklet called Scent Free Secrets), Dead Down Wind, Hunters Specialties, just to name a few.  Many have competing views on the best ways to contain, eliminate, or reduce human scent while hunting, but all agree that big game have an incredible defense mechanism with their natural ability to smell thousands of times better than a human can.

We invite discussions and opinions.  We will post relevant articles that have helpful information on scent control under our "Blog Articles" section.  Check it often for new postings!  However, there are a few tenants and tips of scent control that I feel are irrefutable and the key areas to constantly practice and learn more about:


Control Your Clothes!

From the off-season to prime time, control everything about what your clothes come in contact with.  Keep them clean with the proper scent elimination detergents and techniques, and keep them packed in a scent free bag and locking rubber container. 

Clothes Preparation is a process and needs to be done well in advance:

  1. Prepare your washing machine and dryer properly. Clean fabric softner dispenser and lint traps.  Run a load of clothes through with the same scent eliminating detergents you'll use on your hunting clothes.  Then spray down the inside of the washer and dryer with your favorite scent eliminator.  Read labels!  Hunting garmets that have a carbon layer require special detergents.
  2. Wash inner base layers first.  This includes socks, base layers, underwear, even clothes you will wear on a longer drive to your hunting area.  If I know I have a 30 minute drive to my hunting spot, I'll set aside a pair of jeans, socks, and t-shirt that are prepared just like my hunting cloths.  Washing these items first also helps get any remaining residue out of the washing machine.
  3. Move on to preparing and washing your main clothes and gear.  Again, make sure you seperate and use the appropriate detergents for anything with a carbon layer.
  4. Dry your clothing outside if possible.  Keep them away from any foreign odors that wouldn't be found in your hunting area.  Hang over tree limbs if possible.  If the temperature wont permit hang drying, use a dryer as recommended (clean the dryer, lint trap, and spray down interior).
  5. Prior to storing in scent free container, make sure all items are completely dry (especially if hang-drying) to prevent mildew over time.
  6. Store clothing properly in container that will lock out any odors.  There are several solutions.  Scent free plastic garbage bags work fine, gear manufactures make storage bags just for this purpose, and my favorite is a rubber or plastic storage tub with a good locking or sealing lid (clean and prepare the inside of the tub before use).
  7. When packing / storing hunting clothes, it is helpfull to pack in inverse order of how you dress.  The outer layers on the bottom, inner layers and socks, towells, etc...on the top.  You'll save time and frustration trying to find items when getting dressed.

Your hunting clothes are the last thing that are put on at the last possible moment (definitely getting dressed after the ride to your area) and the first thing packed up after the hunt.  For inner layers or items that may not be carbon lined, I like packing them away with items naturally found in my hunting area, especially after a day or two of use.  Try adding pine bows or cedar bark to your storage container if you are in a situation where laundering is not possible.  Make sure they don't have a high moisture content and are packed loosely to prevent any mildew.  Cedar bark is my favorite.

One other big benefit of using a rubber or plastic tub...if you go on a fly-in hunting trip, or camping, tubs like this pack well and travel well.  They can also be kept outside of the tent, regardless of weather, and therefore out of any scent accumulation zones.


Get Clean!

A shower with either scent reducing/eliminating soap should be one of the last tasks before the hunt.  Fly-ins and camping can be more challenging, but figure it out.  Utilize a scent free deodorant, there are several great products on the market, use them.  Don't get all showered up, and then hang out in the mess tent eating breakfast, try and go directly to your hunting location, staying away from anything that could give you away...cooking, the lodge, cigarette smoke, dogs...  Plan accordingly and get clean right before the hunt for the best base layer.

I go as far as to make sure that I bring a special towell and wash cloths that have been prepared and cleaned the same as my hunting cloths (scent eliminating detergents, dried properly, and stored in a scent free bag or container).  I keep these out of any scent accumulation zones and store them seperately after I shower.


Control Your Temperature!

Control your body temperature and avoid sweating if possible.  Give yourself more time to pack in to your hunting site.  Walking at a slower pace has the added benefit of less noise, more focus on what's moving in the woods, and the sounds that are already present.  Be early, you'll move slower, limiting scent left on your hike.  Wear a light outer layer on your walk in.  I have two masks, one for hiking, and one for the stand.


Odor Centers

Pay attention to the obvious areas that produce or leave the most scent behind. 

  • Your feet.  I prefer rubber boots which don't hold odors on the outside, and keep odors locked in the inside.  If there is an opportunity to walk through naturally standing water, mud, or even sand...do it.  It's the most natural cover scent you could have.  Twisting and grinding your feet in the natural terrain (quietly, early in the walk) can help get any odors off the boots, even out of the cracks of the soles.  Tuck your pant legs in, helping lock all human odor.
  • Your head.  It's usually the most exposed body part, and is also one of the first areas to sweat.  Hair also holds and traps human scent.  Move slow to keep body temp down if possible.  At a minimum, wear a carbon lined hat on the way in and out.  I like clipping an HS Scents earth wafer on my mask for extra cover, plus using products that are carbon lined.  You must also Battle breath.  Gum products help tremendously, but a full mask worn properly helps trap mouth odors as well.
  • Your hands.  Touch as little as possible coming into your stand.  I've read many articles about deer stopping at the exact spot a hunter crossed a fence.  I've seen a bear walk right up to the log the guide put his gloves on...hours later!  Our hands touch things, our hands have human and other foreign scent, and our hands transfer that warning signal to whatever we touch.

Stand Placement

Scouting and tree stand placement is a subject all on its own.  That being said, pay attention to where you place your stand.  Are there any natural features of the immediate area that could be a detriment.  Placing a tree stand is rarely going to be perfect, but you can still try and choose an area that won't pool scent, especially in the evenings when air currents are heavier, and the cooler air tends to drop down to lower areas.  Try and be aware of the dominant wind currents that may be more localized by terrain, and again, plan your tree stand placement accordingly.