rickcroom

OK, So I am new to hunting (starting my third year) Last year I hunted over a field where shots ranged from 25 yards to 125 yards.

This year I have a new area to hunt that is in a swamp. The brush is very heavy and I am thinking that I will need the deer to come within 30-40 yards to see them.

So what is the best way to kill my scent so that they won't smell me before I see them?

I washed all my hunting clothes in the scent control laundry soap from Walmart and them sealed them in vacuum bags.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Sheridan

Try to be upwind of the animals you're hunting.

If they even suspect something is wrong, they will circle downwind before they "come in" !!!

rockport

There is unfortunately only one way to beat the nose of a whitetail and that is having the wind blow your sent somewhere else. If you want to consistently encounter mature whitetail you have to learn how to make the wind in your favor but also allow the deer think the wind is in their favor.

Everybody will tell you hunt the wind but mature deer don't make a habit of just walking around in the daylight with the wind at their back so you have to be creative.

TBsportsman

Just to add on to this because I don't want to be disagreeable. I personally believe deer go where they want to (at least regarding feeding) regardless of the wind direction, but they might hook around and scent check a vulnerable area first. You just need to be downwind of where they hook around.

I think there could be some benefit to some scent control measures, but a lot of it is a waste of time and money. Hunting the right wind is critical. Keep in mind, that regardless of your scent control measures, you will leave ground scent, so if you hunt the same spot repeatedly, it won't take them long to figure it out. Don't walk in over a path you expect deer to cross, or upwind of where they are bedded or feeding at night.

rockport

A 5+ year old deer is likely to just wait until dark. I rarely see mature bucks moving in the daylight with the wind at their back.

I see it with trail cams all the time. Guys will get all exited seeing a daylight pattern(they say I could have shot him if I was in that stand) but I keep track of wind direction and the vast majority of the time it shows he had the wind and could not have been killed from that stand.

Gotta play angles

Your not wrong, they often go where they want but the wind plays a part in when and how they get there.

TBsportsman

Thanks Rockport. I think we are in 99% agreement, and it sounds like you have studied it thoughly. I believe outside the rut, the best way to kill a mature buck is within 100 yards of his bed for the reasons you mention. I don't have nearly the experience to come up with that on my own and rely on Dan Infalt and other accomplished hunters at thehuntingbeast for my reasoning.

olsaltydog

Always take wind into consideration, and use it to your advantage.

Personally I have giving up on the hoopla of scent control for the most part. I do still do some parts but I think people have gotten over exaggerated on the requirements. Wash clothes, wash self. Only wear my clothes into the field and take off as soon as I get out, and not around town.

rockport

That is pretty much what I do and I don't do it thinking Its going to get me a deer in bow range. I do it because not spooking deer 100 yards downwind that I never see is better for my future chances from that location.

I want to have the least scent possible because I want to disturb the area the least I can..

olsaltydog

Yeah me to, I think the industry has gone overboard and people are following too easily.

rockport

Well yeah, They are good at it.

I mean convincing people they need a cedar scented pin to cover their scent while sitting in cedars? News flash.....even if that did work the cedars provide it for free.

Never mind that separating the natural smells in the woods and the suspicious smells in the woods are kind of what deer do.