Calls and scents
 

As you all know I am new here so forgive me if this has been discussed many times before........but I would like to know which combination of calls, cover scents and attractants others have had success with.

I personally prefer M.A.D. calls over any other. I bought my first one several years ago and I believe that it helped me tremendously in bagging most of my big bucks. I have tried mostly all of the other brands of calls and never did have any success with them. I use the type with the O-ring adjustable reed and have become pretty adept at calling in deer with it. The newer ones come with a snort/wheeze tube which I always break off just because the first time I tried it I spooked a few deer.

As far as cover scent, I normally use a good dose of Scent Killer (not partial to any specific brand actually), combined with Cronk' s cedar or earth cover scent. This seems to be a winning combo........I have hardly ever had a deer spook from scenting me. I re-apply the cedar many times throughout the day, and crush and rub green cedar boughs all over myself frequently as well.

I have never found an attractant that seems to add to my success however. Every time I use estrus or dominant buck urine, I fail to see much deer activity, and I have NEVER seen a buck while using these scents. I have tried various brands - Tink' s, Cronk' s, Golden Estrus and many others, with no positive results. I realize it may just be coincidental, but I' m not so sure.

I would like to know which calls, cover scents, and attractants have produced good results for others. Let' s hear your favorites as well as WHY they are your favorites.
Hoping for some good responses!!

RE: Calls and scents
 

I absolutely love the Truetalker grunt call fom HS. You can do things with it that you couldn' t even imagine doing with other calls. It is also easy to use, you should give it a try.

RE: Calls and scents
 

I carry 4 into the woods with me, the grunt tube from www.rivervalleygamecalls.com , the True Talker, the 6n1 from WoodsWise and a generic no name call with superior sound. Each has worked on one occassion or another.

Scents, I don' t use them. In 20 years of bowhunting, scents have disappointed me more than they have impressed me so I prefer scentless as can be. Scents are a money maker and nothing more....sure they might work once in a while but I' d bet they scare more than they draw....

I rely on woodsmanship, scouting, knowledge, ability and calls.

RE: Calls and scents
 

So both of you have had good results with the Truetalker......interesting. My father bought one of those and let me test it out since he isn' t as serious about calling as me. I found it sounded realistic but was a bit touchy - whenever I tried to position my finger in the same spot I would produce different tones. Of course like any call it takes practice to become good at it.....which is maybe why I found myself going back to my old standby after a couple of days. Does anyone else find that calls become more effective after they are broken in? I have a newer M.A.D. as well as my older one, and I find that the older one sounds more authentic after a few seasons of use. I have also tried the M.A.D. power punch, which I gave away because I didn' t like it at all. The simple O-ring adjustable reeds work best for me.

Rob......do you use any kind of cover scent or none whatsoever? I find cover scents seem to help my odds but the attractants I agree seem to be a ripoff. I don' t think I will be spending much cash on " hot doe pee" this season.....just doesn' t seem to work for me at all.

RE: Calls and scents
 

" True Talker" best call I' ve ever used.I had luck last season useing the Tinks doe in heat smoke sticks during the rut.It puts out a lot of scent and last a long time.

RE: Calls and scents
 

Hi Split-Hoof ,
whether in the rut or not a lady has to eat . Persimmons are the best doe lure I' ve ever tried , and bucks follow the ladies . If persimmons aren' t available where you live look for japanese persimmons in the produce section of a larger grocery store . They are bigger than ours , and seedless ! Combine with a doe grunt call for fatal attraction .

RE: Calls and scents
 

Calls - Tru-Talked and the can.
Always use Scentshield or scent killer
Cover scent - i do sometimes an earth scent.
Attractant - i do sometimes. Kirschners Silvertop during the rut. I' ve also use Doc' s brand with limited success

RE: Calls and scents
 

Well I like the true talker also, I could care less about attractants, I have never seen one work yet, now a used kotex, that is a different story, but they have to be fresh and replaced/removed after every hunt. Of course you have to convince the other half to make donations![:o] I try to be as scentless as possible and of course play the wind.

RE: Calls and scents
 

I am surprised that so many here have written off attractants. I have had some great luck using the " special golden estrus" from wildlife research center. i use it on a drag on the walk in and then hang it nearby when i am up in the stand. many times i have had bucks come trotting in and go straight to the scent...

RE: Calls and scents
 

Hey Taz,

How do you play the wind? Is it a " wind" instrument where you have to blow air into it, or a " string" instrument where you use a " bow."

I' ll bet you' re good with " wind" instruments, ' cause your full of hot air, and your lousy with a bow. (I bet I' ll pay for that one.)

Where the heck is Rack Attack?

RE: Calls and scents
 

TR I actually load up on beans and cabbage for buck snorts!:D

In regards to my ability with a bow, why don' t you take me out with you some time and you can critique me on any deer or elk you put me on to![8D] Of course I want them within 25 yards minimum. Hey maybe a moose![:-]

RE: Calls and scents
 

Oh one more thing TR if I miss, I pay for the trip, if I stick one you pay!:D

RE: Calls and scents
 

In other words you really are playing a " wind" instrument.[:o]

You' re offer of the hunt reminds me I have just the hunt for you. I have a guaranteed elk hunt here in Minnesota. The cost is $4000 for the hunt (paid up front), if you don' t get one I' ll refund $2000. [:o]

Since the only people who can hunt elk in Minnesota are residents, and the chances of getting a " once in a lifetime" permit are slim and none, just give me the $2000, and I' ll drag you around the woods for 5 days, and we' ll chalk it up to " in-field training." :D

RE: Calls and scents
 

I am never far away:D

I use the true-talker also - I like that call:)

I am not a big scent guy either - but.....I have a few stands set up that may play into a scent drag tactic. I have done this in the past with some success (smaller bucks though). I will if conditions present themselves to do some dragging this year:)

Oh - I also am a fan of the can - maaaaaaaaaa....maaaaaaaaaa....maaaaaaaaaaa
Music to my ears:D

RE: Calls and scents
 

TR that was a classic comeback!:D

RE: Calls and scents
 

Thank you,

I try.

RE: Calls and scents
 

Wow seems like everyone loves the Truetalker! Perhaps I should do some more practicing with it and take it into the woods with me this fall.....

Baiting is not legal in my state, and I also consider it somewhat unethical. Not to say I look down on anyone who hunts over bait.....everyone has their own definition of a fair hunt.

How many of you use carbon sprays? Was wondering how they compare to Scent Killer or Scent Shield.

Also has anybody experimented with making homemade cover scents? I brewed some last year from young poplar buds. I stunk the whole house up making it and it left a sticky residue, but I was impressed with the effectiveness of it. It was quite strong and seemed to mask my scent very well, and being a natural native aroma didn' t seem to spook deer at all.

Another thing I do is keep my hunting clothes in an airtight plastic bag starting a few weeks before the season, along with a few spruce and cedar boughs. After the hunt they go right back into the bag and are left outside (unless they need to be dried first).

RE: Calls and scents
 

I just purchased a primos hands call a couple of days ago and it has 5 different deer noises from a trophy buck grunt to a estrus doe bleat and it sounds amazing. But the real test will be when I take it to the woods with me. Oh and the other great thing is that it is about 3 inches long so it is not a big bulky thing around your neck or in your mouth.

RE: Calls and scents
 

Not one of the several researchers/biologists I talk to on a regular basis has ever heard or recorded a call that was used by a doe to " tell" a buck she was in estrus. There doesn' t seem to be a doe " estrus" call !!!

The call the " experts" claim is a doe bleat is probably a Social Contact Grunt, which is louder and longer than other grunts, and is used by deer when they are separated from each other.

RE: Calls and scents
 

Now there' s an interesting bit of information! I had always thought (as well as most hunters I assume) that there was such a thing as a doe estrus bleat. This could be due to the fact that call manufacturers want to sell more products I suppose. So the idea is that deer associate the so-called estrus bleat with more of a " hey, over here!" , other than " hey baby give me some loving" ?

I' m curious if anyone has used the " popping" type sound that bucks make during/after breeding with any success. The video that came with the M.A.D. Power Punch call talked about calling this way, but i could never do it even after many hours of practicing. As I said before, I didn' t like that call much anyway. Basically it is a series of soft clicking or popping noises. It' s not one I will bother with, but was just wondering if any of you have put it to good use or not.

Another thing I dislike is the snort/wheeze calls. I don' t like the idea of using an " alarm" type noise to call in deer. Just seems to me it would spook more deer than it would bring in. I did try it once and did indeed send deer fleeing.....so never bothered again. Anybody disagree with this?

RE: Calls and scents
 

Split-Hoof,

I absolutely go as scentless as possible with no cover scents, just Scent Killers. Let' s say your neighboring property uses the same cover scent as you...now let' s say he' s the biggest slob hunter the ever existed...smelling like coffee, gas, breakfast..etc....constantly busting bucks. These bucks are going to associate that scent with danger and avoid it....meanwhile, they avoid you with the same cover scent.... Now it' s not going to happen all the time or maybe none at all but I won' t take that chance, other than calls and a few sparring matches with real antlers, I never try to give away my presence, or let them know I was ever there. Scentless, Sightless and other than calls, Silent.

RE: Calls and scents
 

That makes sense........if other hunters use similar cover scents, or if you use it often enough, it could be possible for deer to associate the smell with danger. The area I hunt is forestry land open to the public, so there are always other hunters about, even if you distance yourself from them as much as possible.

I use cedar as a cover, but have found that the commercially available products don' t truly mimic the natural aroma of the local cedar. This is the reason I crush and rub boughs on myself, keep my clothes in a bag with cedar/spruce, and also why I took an interest in making my own cover scent from natural local sources.

My project for this year will be trying to create a usable homemade cedar scent. I' m not sure of the best way to go about it......it' ll take some trial and error for sure. If I' m succesful I think it just might give me a little extra edge this fall. Actually that would be a good past-time for me while I am waiting for my ankle to heal:D!! I just might get started on that so I have time to perfect it the best I can.

RE: Calls and scents
 

Think about the " Social Contact Grunt." If you were a buck looking for action, and you heard a deer (probably a doe) performing a Social Contact Grunt, wouldn' t you go check it out.

The popping sound or " clicking" as many of us call it, is often used by bucks while folowing does. I have several times seen a video on PBS, where a buck was walking and performing a clicking sound. The clicking got faster, and as it speeded up it turned into a tending grunt. Therefore, I suspect it is just a slower version (slowly expelling air) of a grunt.

As far as the grunt/snort; the snort by itself is usually an attempt to warn other deer of danger. I often snort back when I hear deer snort (as they see of heer me). If the deer don' t SMELL me they usualy calm down. I' ve even had deer come closer as I made the sound. But, I don' t blow it loud.

The Grunt-Snort is a call used primarily by bucks, and is a threat. Don' t use it unless you are trying to challenge/enrage a big buck.

There are two threads (with excerpts from my books) on my T.R.' s Tips forum " Understanding Deer Vocalizations' and " Deer Calling." Check them out.
I' d enjoy having you join us.

RE: Calls and scents
 

Thanks tr, I will go check those out right now:)!!

RE: Calls and scents
 

On the strength of all the positive comments about the Truetalker I bought one this weekend. It sounds great to me; in ten more weeks I' ll see how it sounds to the deer.

RE: Calls and scents
 

I use the K&H Grunter Plus most often and sometimes my old Widow Maker which allows me to change the settings with an o-ring. The most popular call here is the True Talker, due to range and ease of use. Personally I make all other calls by mouth and like the ability of hands free talking;).

I don' t use cover scents but do use scent killer spray. Most important thing to me is try and be a scent free personally as possible and use the wind!!!

Attractant scents, for the most part not great results. However last year we had a number and the Still Steamin Doe Estrus by scent shields produced the best results. I think they can enhance your setup but more imprtantly you must have a solid setup to begin with! Thus I can' t really say that the scent used greatly increased our odds or just good location, scouting and homework by the hunter! BTW. I had the scents blowing to me(upwind) and all the deer that came were upwind of the scents, so i think a lot had to due with location & rattling/calling but they definately held a few bucks when they did get a wiff!

RE: Calls and scents
 

skeeter - I agree completely with the point you make about having a good setup. If you haven' t done your homework, then no combination of calls and/or " magic potion" is going to help you much.

It seems I' m not the only one who has been dissapointed in attractant type scents. If you find one that deer seem to like, it may as you say hold them in one spot longer for better shot opportunities. I haven' t had any luck so far getting a buck to come close when using any of these products however. Possibly because many others are dousing the woods with similar bottled scents? I wonder how much different the bottled scents smell to a deer when compared to fresh, natural urine?
Whether my experiences are coincidental or not I can' t be sure, but the use of bottled urine hasn' t improved my odds at all.

Another subject I am curious about......I never really have used glandular scents such as tarsal glands before. I wonder how they compare to urine scents? I have seen some bold claims on hunting shows, but have learned to take what I hear on these with a grain of salt until i can confirm or discount the claims through experience. Have any of you found glandular scents to be effective?

Maybe someone I know will score on a buck before I do this year, and let me have the tarsal glands so I can do some experimenting:).

RE: Calls and scents
 

Split-hoof I used the carbon sprays last season,I never was busted with it.I used it the night befor and it seems to build up with each use and helps you stay scentless.For cover up,the best I' ve ever used was cheap Wal-Mart doe pee.It doesn' t attract them just hides your scent.BUT always play the wind,nothing is magic.

RE: Calls and scents
 

Thanks for the info FlDeerman, sounds like the carbon sprays work well. My only concern is I have heard it leaves dark stains. In my state blaze orange is required, and it actually has to be a certain " brightness" to be legal. Did you find it left any stains or residue?

RE: Calls and scents
 

LOL,I' ll make this REAL simple.Will it leave a dark stain,yes.IF you don' t follow the directions.Shake well and spray at a distance,it works just fine.I spray my stuff while it' s hanging up,not on me.

RE: Calls and scents
 

Thanks FlDeerman, I might try the carbon spray this season to compare. Good luck to you!

RE: Calls and scents
 

If you' re worried about the dark stains on blaze orange, you can always spray it on the inside.