What is "acceptable" Rob??.........and how can you ever know if you have obtained that? Is it the same for EVERY deer in EVERY situation??
We'll never know what is "acceptable" but one thing we all do know if they get enough of a wiff, they blow and go. Acceptable level is the a level a deer can stand downwind and not turn tail and go. We'll only that level when we're in the situation. One thing is certain, if we do nothing, their will be no acceptable level. I can honestly say had I done nothing for my scent, she would have. I'm convinced of that from 25 years of previoius experiences.
I wouldn't be too thrilled if she nailed you from 52 yards away with your back to a tree between you two.........especially considering all the precautions you take.
Oh contrare, I am absolutley thrilled that my scent level was low enough that she didn't wind me prior to that. With her directly down wind, that's mightly close, had this been rifle season and the same circumstances, tag willing, dead deer. I know she hadn't spooked for other reasons, until I physically waved at her, she never once looked up towards me. You also assume the tree was between us, I never said that. The tree was on my left shoulder, she was directly behind me, not the tree.
Because you had a tree in between you and the deer. How do you know she "winded" you??...........Why would she be sniffing the air like crazy if she had already winded you?? Sounds like something else had her attention.
Again, you assumed wrong. The tree again, off my left shoulder, (Or right shoulder when I faced her) I was totally exposed, skyline to the deer with slight branches sticking out behind me, shooting lanes cut.
If I slightly turned my head right in the picture, she would be there. Not behind the tree. She was obviously sniffing the wind because she did smell me, she did not see me up to that point.
No way for you to know that.
25 years of bowhunting has taught me this, especially prior to any scent knowledge. I will especially say this prior to my Scentlok/Blocker purchases.
Considering you were on the other side of the tree and all she could see was your arms.......if anything because the sun was in her face and you were in the shadows by the looks of your picture.......it's hard to say how much movement she could see.
Again, your assumption, as you can see in the picture, my whole body was open to her minus a few leaves. Nothing of the trunk of the tree was hiding me. Sun would have been to her left, she was facing north towards me, no sun effect other than shadows within the tree limbs. But your right, with this camo it's hard to say how much movement she could see, that's what good camo is suppose to do for you.
Obviously there was something else going on here..........a mature doe that stands there while the noise and motion of a large man coming down a tree is going on 50 yards away can not be considered normal..........at least I hope not, because if it is then hunting will become a lot less fun. I like knowing I have to be careful with my movements......I like knowing I can't make a sound........I like knowing I have to be at my best to go undetected. If I can put on some suit and make all the noise and motion I want and still have deer walking around what is the challenge to that?? Just walk up and shoot 'em if that can't see you anymore.
Nothing else going on, simple, deer 50 yards away downwind, I got down. Mind you, the tree had branches but again, concealment is the key. I can't be certain obviously I can only wear one camo at a time but over the last 25 years I've worn prolly 15 brands of camo, at least 12 and it comes down to Predator, ASAT and Enigma so far until I have the opportunity to find something better. I'll take all the edge I can get, and I remember reading some of your equipment, you do too.
Agreed..........I don't think camo, clothes, or sprays are what makes that success though. You are set up over a food plot with deer all around you because they are coming to eat your food...........I think you may be attributing your success to things that are actually minor contributions.
True that, I'm 200 yards from the food plot, it's an additive, so is the 400 acres of corn around the spot, the bedding area, the travel routes not to mention this is a natural funnel area. Those 25 years have put me in one of the 3 trees I have around this area. We make our own success, some of making mine is scent elimination and concealment.
I bet you would do just fine right where you are in GI-Joe camo and a bottle of scent eliminator spray.
I doubt it, but don't want to find out when my buck of a life time is downwind and in eyeshot.
Paranoia...............without a doubt the absolute #1 driving force behind marketing deer hunting products. Preying on the lottery mentality of "What if"??
What do you say to someone who takes EVERY precaution that you take and has all the EXACT same stuff and doesn't see anymore deer or have anymore deer hang around downwind?? Does that prove your theories wrong??
When it comes to whitetails, especially mature animals, buck or doe I would suggest being paranoid. Anyone can kill button bucks and spikes and if that's all your after, ignore my entire thread. You don't need anything in here. Your quote above is an exception not the norm.
Just playing devil's advocate for ya Rob............Trying to show there can be 10 different explanations to every situation. I have thought that I had it nailed many times myself........and then I get busted the next day in the same situation. I have just seen so much variability and dynamic behavior from deer to ever take one isolated case at anything more then face value. Enigma may be the greatest camo ever..........only time will tell. One story about one deer on one day is really meaningless to me. I have had deer standing in spitting distance from me when I was wearing a full blaze orange pumpkin suit and they never saw me...........does that mean it is the ideal camo??........of course not.
I knew I could count on you.
This thread didn't come about from an isolated incident. It's been happening for quite a few years since I started wearing the open patterns. The scent control is actually the last 2 seasons since I purchased Scentlok and Scentblocker, work or not I've had more down wind stay since the purchase and I can't be certain but perhaps I'm a little more fantatical as well. Either way, success with deer down wind is increasing for me. If it were a single incident, I wouldn't have brought it up.
Thanks for the cool thread..........nice hunting area too
I am gonna check out Enigma after the Bills game.
Thanks, I'm here to share as well as learn myself. And if the Bills winning or losing depending on your bet will get you into Enigma, go Bills or not. Rock on.