Busted by a bear!!!
 

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

RE: Busted by a bear!!!
 

Mabey he saw you. Were you wearing ASAT? :D

RE: Busted by a bear!!!
 

No, I'm all but positive he didn't see me...he never once looked up...but he was defiantely sniffing. I was perfectly still so movement was not an issue. And I was a good 20 feet up the tree with good back cover. From the way he/it was acting I'm pretty sure he winded me, or at least winded something to make him think twice. I'm starting to re-think my whole scent control procedure.
REX

RE: Busted by a bear!!!
 

How about your breath? Do you drink coffee before you go into the woods?

RE: Busted by a bear!!!
 

Yes, I did have a cup of coffee, but then brushed my teath, and used a couple of the Listerene strips before getting to the stand. What should I be doing? I know the mouth is a major source of odor but now what I'm supposed to do about it? This is one area I don't really know how to mask.
REX

RE: Busted by a bear!!!
 

Have your cup of coffee and cap it off with an apple or two. Try that out! I always try to eat something that they smell out in the wild.