Just came out of the field for a shower and re-provisions on day 3 of what should be a week long bow hunt. This morning, at 0730, a bear comes directly toward my stand. It's a central Georgia bear, young, about 65-70 ponds. He gets withing 20 yards of my stand, stops, and obviously smells something. He smells for a couple minutes, then turns and walks around were I'm at. I had a good clean shot at least 4 different times... but besides being too little it's not bear season here yet. It was thrilling to say the least...a bear out in the wilds. Gotta start carrying my digital camera. But...this is puzzling me. I went to great lengths to cover my scent. Washed all my clothes in scent-free, UV-free detergent. Used my homemade brew scent eliminator on my body, then storebought Scent-away on ALL my clothes. Washed my body/hair in scent-free hunter's soap. Even doused my stand, and all my archery equipment and my backpack and all it's contents in scent eliminator. But this bear obviously smelled something or it wouldn't have acted that way. What am I forgetting? This bear should have never have noticed me, but obviously it did. I'm spending the night at home, but plan on camping out the next 3 days but want to see something besides squirrels, turkeys and bears! What am I'm forgetting scent wise. Ya'll have a good one.
REX