Kristen Schmitt’s “Locavore Blog” is originally published at “Deer and Deer Hunting.”
Scent control is an important part of hunting that beginners need to learn and experienced hunters are always improving upon. While I thought I understood some of the basics based on the years of washing my husband’s hunting clothes in ScentKiller detergent, there are so many other aspects that are important if you hope to get a buck.
Hunting expert Bryce Towsley met with me the other day to discuss the basics of scent control as well as offering up a few interesting tips he’s learned throughout his over 40 year hunting career.
One important thing to note, for women especially, is to be aware of applying lotions, sunblocks, chapstick, and cosmetics prior to heading out to hunt. While we may not be able to smell the underlying scent, a deer will be able to — and he’ll know we’re there before we even sit down.
A deer trusts its nose above anything else. Since we know that a deer can smell incredibly well, it’s important to practice scent control not just when you’re in your tree stand or ground blind, but when you’re walking into your hunting location, checking your trail cameras when scouting, or even touching your hunting boots or trees as you walk by. It’s important to remember simple tips like taking off your hunting boots if you are driving a truck to another hunting location because even that brief point of contact with your gas and brake pedals will cover your boots with foreign scent that will then be picked up by the deer’s nose when you head to your hunting location.
Read more at Deer & Deer Hunting.
(Kristen Schmitt photo)
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
