Scent Control Tips for Bow Hunting Deer

Are you wondering how to block or eliminate your scent when hunting deer? Curious about how often to wash your clothes? Maybe you’ve noticed aisles of products in your local hunting supplies store? If you are a brand new hunter my number one tip is to hunt the wind. No matter how many products you try to eliminate your scent, you can never block the human scent from a deer. If you don’t hunt the wind, start now.

So now that I’ve just told you that human scent can’t be eliminated 100%, where does that leave you? Many hunters, myself included, still practice scent control to block our smell to some degree. Because even if it only buys you an extra 10-30 seconds before the deer catches your scent, that might be enough time to take it down. One might say “Every little bit helps.”

My first lessons in scent control.

Picture this – me and my dad riding along in our 1979 Oldsmobile Delta 88. The engine is rattling, the scent of a cigarettes in the air, and the rough voice of a seasoned hunter. In the world of hunting, my dad was a mentor. But he wasn’t a scent control expert. He seamlessly combined his love for driving with a puff of smoke. On the road, his only instruction: “Keep your eye open on this field up here. There might be some deer.” Little did I know, these seemingly casual moments held crucial lessons in the art of hunting, particularly in the often-overlooked realm of scent control.

Everywhere online has mixed reviews about smoking while hunting. Some people believe that scent control is essential and smoking is really bad. While others say they have hunted, with bow, while smoking and been successful. Smoke in general doesn’t bother deer, but they can smell you under the smoke if you are not hunting the wind. My other caution that I’d pair with smoking, is that you’ll most likely cough. And the deer will hear will you. So…maybe skip the cigarettes and see if you become a more successful hunter.

Do smells like coffee and smoking matter?

The thermos of coffee became a metaphor for scent awareness. It wasn’t just about the refreshing break; it was about understanding that the scent of coffee clung to our clothes like a stubborn perfume. Similar to leaving a Speedway gas station after the morning rush, where the lingering smell of coffee follows you into your car, our clothes became carriers of our unintentional coffee fragrance.

Coffee is Not a Hunting Scent

This unintentional coffee episode expanded my understanding of scent elimination. It wasn’t a widely known concept back in the day, but the importance of minimizing strong scents became crystal clear. Just as the aroma of coffee revealed our presence to the deer, other powerful scents could give away our location on the hunting grounds.

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How to Block Human Scent When Hunting

Let’s dig into this topic by answering frequently asked questions.

Do Scent Blockers Work?

Yes. Do they block 100% of the scent? No. Wind direction does a lot more than scent blockers. All the soaps, sprays, and machines might help marginally, so they are better than nothing, but overall, playing the wind outweighs them all. You can kill plenty of deer smelling like diesel fuel wearing jeans if you sit still and play the wind.

Why don’t I think scent blocker products are worth the hype? I watched a YouTube video where they tested all the different scent-eliminating products. After applying each individual product to a new pair of clothes, the guy would go hide and a K9 had to try and find him. The video does a good job of being product-neutral and fair. Check out the POLICE K9 vs “SCENT CONTROL” Products (Do They ACTUALLY Work??) video on the Seek One channel

What does “hunt the wind” mean?

Hunting the wind is crucial. Keeping the wind in your face while hunting is the best strategy to avoid detection. Your scent spreads from your location in a “V” shaped cone dispersion, and deer can “scent” you from over 200 yards away. There are sprays, clothing, and ozone emitters that help or at least claim to help eliminate/reduce scent, but the best way is to hunt the wind.

Is scent control detergent worth it?

Deer have an extraordinary sense of smell. Imagine if you smell a cake—you smell just the finished product. A deer could pick apart the ingredients like sugar and flour. They’d pick you off with ease. Scent control detergent and spray are cheap enough and last long enough that there’s no point in not using it when I’m bow hunting. Rifle, I don’t bother with it though.

How do I practice scent control on long hunts?

When I travel distances to go hunting on public land, I plan to keep strange scents away from my clothes. One way to do that is through Scentlok Travel Duffle. I have had success with this brand.

How to Eliminate Human Scent for Deer Hunting

Again, the best we can expect is masking our scents by 60%. And if that gives you extra seconds to shoot your big buck, that’s worth it for me. Some hunters will offer advice about packing your gear up with dirt or leaves in a tote. Why the emphasis on keeping gear outside? It’s not just about protecting equipment; it’s about mastering the art of scent control. Scent is a hunter’s silent enemy. Bringing gear inside can expose it to lingering scents that easily transfer to your clothing. Ever made bacon in the morning only to find its irresistible aroma sticking to your clothes throughout the day? Imagine that, but with the scent of the great outdoors.

The Importance of Scent Control

In the quiet moments of a hunting expedition, the lessons learned from my dad echo in my mind. Scent control by hunting the wind is a game-changer for hunting success. As you embark on your journey, remember – the outcome of your hunt may lie in the scent that lingers around you.

You can also keep learning and reading more about whitetail deer scents, hunting strategies, and the more comprehensive topic of deer attractants.