They are hit and miss ... along with just about every piece of Archery hunting product sold! From Bows-Decoys and everything in between. Though I have not had, as far as I know? as many problems with using scents as you, they have at least stopped deer for me, if not got them curiously closer. <I almost always use Tinks>. Deer Calls though, they either come in closer, keep going or RUN away from me! Decoys ... HAHAHA I have used my old man's decoy and have never had to much success with it ... BUT i have had alot of laughs! But i am sure there are guys out there who have had wonderful success with decoys (not that LMAO in the stand is not totaly Un-successful). Are you using rubber gloves and boots when applying these Scent brands? Handle and apply scent like it is ACID. Bring Ziplocks and seal used gloves, bottles ECT off after using them in the field and set them on the Ground near your stand. Scents are a catch 22. But can be effective if used right ...errr carefully. The more you walk around by your stand the more chance you have to contaminate your prime spot with human odor. But if extreme caution is taken, Scents can pay offf big time! Sounds like they are detecting human odor or it could be the area your in, what the deer have been exposed to. To many hunters using scents wildly deer will start to associate with Humans. But if you are having that many problems, and are doing things VERY cautiously, i wouldnt use 'em either.