Pick a quart or two of leaves , bark , ground duff , and soil from the area you intend to hunt , put it in a big pot with enough water to cover , set it on a burner (preferably outdoors) , simmer for 30 minutes and then cool and strain through coffee filters . It won't fool a whitetail but at least you got some excercise that day ...

The best cover scent that I've ever used was Deer Dander , it really does work as a curiosity lure and also makes a dandy wife repellent .