After field testing numerous scents over the last 15 years, I've come to the conclusion that most reputable companies have scents that will work. Thee key is to use the right scent at the right time. And use FRESH scents, not year old stuff.
I use Wildlife Research Center/Scent Killer, Robinson Labs/Scent Shield, James Valley, Lee's, and Mrs' Doe Pee, whatever they send me to field test I try.

Here a few tips from one of my books.

T.R.'s Tips: Right Scent, Right Time
Fall is when deer search out quality food sources to put on enough fat to get them through the winter. It is also the breeding season. These are the two driving forces that stimulate deer in the fall. All deer travel more at this time in search of food. Bucks travel much more than normal while establishing dominance and trying to locate does. The different phases of the rut also signal increases and decreases in sexual interest. Remember that Territorial/Dominance Scents may scare off subdominant bucks, especially during the scraping and breeding phases, when the dominant bucks are aggressive. If you are looking for any buck you may not want to use these scents.

Pre-Rut/Rubbing Phase
Bucks are looking for food and starting to become interested in breeding. You can use Recognition/Trailing, Sex, Territorial/Dominance, Food and Curiosity scents.

Early Breeding/Scraping Phase
Bucks are proclaiming dominance by establishing rubs and scrapes, and are looking for estrus does. You can use Recognition/Trailing, Sex, Territorial/Dominance, Food and Curiosity scents.

Primary Breeding and Post Primary Breeding Phase
Bucks are looking for does and protecting their breeding rights. Scraping may begin to increase again after most of does have been bred. Territorial/Dominance and Sex scents are most effective at this time.

Rest Phase
By this time the bucks are not as willing to fight but are still interested in breeding. They rest and eat. Sex scents are still effective. Some bucks may respond to Curiosity scents, while Food scents may work best.

Pre-Late Breeding and Late Breeding Phase
After recuperating from the rut bucks look for does that come into a late estrous. There may be renewed scrape activity at this time. Bucks respond to Sex, Curiosity and Food scents.

Post Rut Phase
Because the rut is over bucks are not aggressive and often travel together to feeding areas. Though most of the does have been bred bucks still respond to estrus scents. Curiosity and Food scents may work near core areas, buck feeding sites, and travel lanes between the them.

Hope that helps.

Got more questions about deer, elk, turkey, ducks or geese, I'll try to answer. Post a new topic here addressed to T.R., or e-mail me.

T.R. Michels
[email protected]


T.R. Michels