Mauser06 - SBgobblers....thats kinda VERY true..kids playing in the backyards...guys cutting wood for the winter...ATV riders etc..


You may be hunting in close proximity to human activity but the deers nose knows the exact proximity to that activity as well. So when he is skirting said activity and comes across a new and strange oder, he'll be on alert at the very least. Most mature bucks flee the scene imediately, where smaller bucks and does usually have to verify a second sense, such as sight or hearing. IMO, I believe it is best to have no scent at all. You must use the wind to your advantage to accomplish this. I've been smoking in my stand and had to put out the cigarette in order to shoot the buck. 147 gross. I had the wind in my favor. Would scent killer have helped? It wouldn't have mattered, he couldn't smell me because of the wind. Along with the wind, and equally as important, is the approach to your stand. Take what ever route necessary to not bump deer or have them cross your trail. I don't care what you spray or don't spray on your clothes, deer will detect your pressence, if they cross your trail. Some times it's impossible to get to your stand without passing where a deer will cross. To get to a field stand I will sometimes walk right down the middle of the field to get to my stand. Usually when the deer gets to my trail it is too late, I could have shot it by then. Ocassionaly, a doe or fawn may try to snif me out. Not cool.