Scent Control : What I Use

What is your scent control regimen?

As whitetail seasons begin to open across the country many of us start to get into our daily hunting routines of scent control.

Some of us have even gone to the extent of building our own climate and scent controlled rooms in our homes, even purchasing separate washer and drier units strictly used for washing our hunting clothes.

Many of you probably think it's crazy to invest so much money into products that aren't actually 100% effective against a deer's greatest equalizer, his nose. And that is absolutely true.
But if you can reduce the chances of being picked off from a downwind animal, given the products and technologies we have today, don't you think it's worth it?

I sure do!

While it is still 100% part of my hunting strategy to always select stand locations that favor the wind direction, and thermal rise & fall for the day, you cannot always control the direction of a deer's approach 100% of the time.

But, I will always invest in products, services, and strategies that are proven, in my own experience, to put the ball in my court and give me just that split second advantage that could possibly make all the difference in the world at harvesting the mature buck I'm after.

Wouldn't you agree?

My Routine Before Heading Out

 I am adamant about showering in scent eliminating soaps and shampoos before heading out on a morning, afternoon, or all day hunt.

"But Ryan, I don't have time." 

I get it! we all work. We have to get up and get to work during the week to hopefully have a couple hours to rush out to the stand in the evening after work. We like to sleep in on weekends as long as possible, yet still try to make it to our favorite stand to catch a old bold with his guard down as he tries to slip past going from his nighttime food source back to bedding. This can also be said about all day hunts during the rut, especially if you are in a backwoods cabin location without indoor plumbing.

All of that aside, we all prioritize what's important to us. If scent control measures other than wind direction and thermals, that's totally ok. I guess I just tend to be of the mindset that there are products and gadgets out there that I know for a fact have given me a seemingly unfair advantage over my career as a whitetail hunter to be successful at harvesting mature bucks.

Am I saying that if you don't invest in these products and gadgets you won't be successful? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

How I choose to spend my money is totally up to me. And the same can be said for you.

If however, you do go through a scent control protocol, here is how I implement mine:
 - Clothes in a scent elimination bag or closet (Scent Crusher or Ozonics) for at least 20 minutes with the ozone elimination element on.
 - Shower using whichever scent eliminating soaps & shampoos I decided to purchase and use.
 - Dry off using a scent free towel that was washed and dried using scent elimination products.
 - Dress in regular "street clothes".
 - With all of my gear in my truck in scent elimination bags or totes, my ozone generator is plugged in and running in the cab of my truck. (Ozone - Go by Scent Crusher)
 - I change into my hunting clothes when I reach my hunting destination. This is true in early season as well as the coldest of late season hunts.
 - I choose a stand location based on wind direction and how it may swirl here in hill country, also knowing what my thermals will do as the sun rises or sets. Not where I feel like going or my favorite stand location. The elements of the weather and wind direction, and my access/exit are planned out well in advance of my hunt. (Are yours?)

In Conclusion

 Take it as you will, what I do has worked for me and so many others. So to me, it's all worth the extra money and time. But the single most important factor in the game of chess with an old monarch is knowing that his nose is probably his greatest weapon. So still, always be aware of wind direction and the rise and fall of thermals and how the may affect the stand locations you choose to hunt on a given day. Not just during bow season either. The same rings true for my gun hunting strategy as well, not just because it's my favorite stand and it's a tradition. But at the end of the day, the single most question to answer should always be to just have fun. And don't let me tell you what to do. I'm simply sharing what I do and what works for me and could quite possibly work for you. 

Happy Hunting This Fall!