I have been running a general search on the studies and effectiveness of scent control specifically carbon and ran into a couple places that stated carbon cannot be "re-activated" by your dryer unless it reaches 900 degrees and that the human body does not generate enough heat to keep it active. Actually some of the carbon companies are in court right now pleading their case. Some of the other studies had bloodhounds look for people using scent control and the bloodhounds won every time. I have a tendency to subscribe to a lot of gimmicks at first hoping to improve my chances but I am starting to get wary of a lot of them and by wasting soo much money through the years I think it is good research to save money when it comes time to outfitting my kids. I will say that through the years I have had multiple deer approach from downwind with no scent contral and never know I was there yet I still have it in my head that I need to control it, go figure. A little of subject but I think when I do get busted downwind of deerI tend to believe they can see my UV glow more then anything.
RE: I am starting to think this carbon thing is crap
Id never buy into a gimmick such as carbon/charcoal activated clothing. what a waste of my money that would be. I could buy better things. The key is to play the wind, be scent concious, and being in the right place at the right time.
RE: I am starting to think this carbon thing is crap
Christmas of 2006 I was given a top and bottom FULL SEASON Scent-Lok suit. Free is a good price. I bought a headcover too, and a trendy Scent-Lok travel bag for the whole works. Took really good care of it. First time I wore it I shot a deer and a bobcat and missed another deer on the walk back to the truck (and the deer I called in from over 100 yards using The Can... and he circled dead down wind and stopped while I shot beautifully over his back... he would have made the book too). Anyway... it was raining that day. I took care of my suit and actually gained a little faith in this stuff.
But that was where it ended. I paid very close attention to the wind and kept up with scent control... but never the less I think I got winded more times last year than I ever have. Moreover, when it was warm, I would roast inside that damn suit. When it was cold... I would have rather been in jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt as it offered ZERO relief from the cold. The headcover, over my big ears, made a scraping sound againest my ears that was deafening when I so much as gently turned my head.
I don't think the suit was the cause of me getting winded... and hoenstly all I heard was deer blowing... and with all the activity around there and dogs constantly passing through it quite frankly may not have been me they were blowing at (there were times there were deer UPWIND of me where I hadn't EVER set foot... and they blew and went a different way). But I will say that movement is a killer, and that suit is uncomfortable. You have to be in the stand to kill deer, and my cold ass was marking time in the stand trying to stay warm and sleeping in during the mornings... which doesn't lend to killing deer much at all.
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RE: I am starting to think this carbon thing is crap
I don't know if it works. I have never tried it. I will agree that minimzing your scent might make the diff. in some cases.
All I know is that if I took the time to do everything humanly possible to rid myself of human oder each time out I would have a lot less hunting time. If I was targeting a specific buck that I had patterened I would go all out on scent control. My type of hunting isn't like that. I do my best to use the wind and terrain in my favor and leave it at that.
One thing that I have had great success at is putting my top layers in a bag or tote with pine branches.
RE: I am starting to think this carbon thing is crap
It did not matter to me as much before as I just started bow hunting and grew up with a rifle in the plains states where my shots are usually quite long.
RE: I am starting to think this carbon thing is crap
I cant comment much on something i really dont know much about but the bloodhound thing is IMO is redickulas. I have seen this test, if a persons head is not totally sealed off then there is going to be some scent from breath. Dogs have amazing noses!! I have indeed used scentblocker and have good luck with it.
RE: I am starting to think this carbon thing is crap
The thing is, bloodcreek, how do you know you wouldn't be having the same good luck without it? every time you go to the woods it's a unique experience. The deer passing through at that particular day, in those particular weather conditions with the particular air current patterns in effect at the time... So many variables to account for and they're constantly changing. That's the rub. It can't be proven either way.
Take the back support belts weight lifters wear. On a physiological basis, they don't do anything. Psychologically though, they tend to make you think more about using good lifting form. I think the scent blocking clothes probably do the same thing. They make you think more about scent control so you do a better job of it.
RE: I am starting to think this carbon thing is crap
I have been present with the bloodhound test, and they are given a swatch that the subject has wiped across his skin as a sample for the dog to sniff. And yes, they will track the person down every time (if the handler knows what he's doing) scent blocker or not.
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I am starting to think this carbon thing is crap
