Best Natural Cover Scents

[paleoman]

#6940

What is native (not bought) in your area? I like semi-damp, punky and pungent rotted wood…just crush it up and apply as needed. Spicebush smells great and is pretty common around here. Black birch, in the NE is very wintergreen if you strip out a sapling, etc. I know you have to be subtle with these things, but sometimes it’s like any dumb dog knows enough to just “roll in it” for free. What’s the odor of the day in your patch of paradise:D?

[Ralph]

#56471

Sagebrush mostly and some cedar. Walking in SELECVTIVLEY dry cow piles helps for the boots. I ain’t rolling in it! Walking good nuff!:D

[David Bartlett]

#56475

For the feet, I look for fresh animal poop to step in. Apply liberally!

[Ptaylor]

#57072

California Bay is my favorite around here.

[Col Mike]

#57508

Love it:D I just try to keep the wind in my face.:shock:

[David Fudala]

#57575

Balsam, Balsam and more Balsam!

[wojo14]

#57927

http://www.cedarcreekcamo.com/products/cedar-oil/16-oz

Anyone ever use this?

Repels bugs and covers sent.

[OldbowKY]

#57962

I like to keep a dead skunk in my pack. You can find them along the side of the road quite often.:D

[paleoman]

#57986

OldbowKY wrote: I like to keep a dead skunk in my pack. You can find them along the side of the road quite often.:D

DING!DING!DING! WE HAVE A WINNER:lol:

[Alexandre Bugnon]

#58121

My own body-produced wind. If I can’t smell it, it tells me I’m hunting in the right direction! 😛

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#58162

AlexBugnon wrote: My own body-produced wind. If I can’t smell it, it tells me I’m hunting in the right direction! 😛

We have a winner…

But for today’s high-tech hunting world, it really needs a catchy name if you want it to become popular…how about something like, “Tootzonic Flatulax 5000 by Mossy Oak?”

“As more and more hunters take to the woods, I need a cover scent that not only tells me which way the wind is blowing, but also ensures that there are no other hunters downwind of me. The Tootzonic Flatulax 5000™ does both, and now has a permanent place in my hunting kit.”

– Traditional bowhunter, pianist and occasional dabbler in wind instruments, Alex Bugnon

[Etter1]

#58180

Wood smoke

[OldbowKY]

#58322

While I wave not used a hole critter, I have used a dab of liquid trappers scent on the little nob on the top of my hat. With good results.

P.S. Don’t bring your hat in the house……Wife with sharp objects.

[Ralph]

#58547

Smithhammer wrote: [quote=AlexBugnon]My own body-produced wind. If I can’t smell it, it tells me I’m hunting in the right direction! 😛

We have a winner…

But for today’s high-tech hunting world, it really needs a catchy name if you want it to become popular…how about something like, “Tootzonic Flatulax 5000 by Mossy Oak?”

“As more and more hunters take to the woods, I need a cover scent that not only tells me which way the wind is blowing, but also ensures that there are no other hunters downwind of me. The Tootzonic Flatulax 5000™ does both, and now has a permanent place in my hunting kit.”

– Traditional bowhunter, pianist and occasional dabbler in wind instruments, Alex Bugnon

So that is why we find so many empty cans of beenie weenies out in the field?

[grumpy]

#58604

Old Spice Original

“If your grandfather didn’t use it you wouldn’t exist.”

[burgess]

#58725

starting on the basic level……complete rubdown with no scent salt deodorant cyrstal….[ all i’ve uses for life for ever ]……all all over…….it works…..rub your feet down and then see how long you can wear a pair of socks before they say hello……..after the shower of course. taking for granted that your clothing is washed in a no-scent soap………all the outer wear …bow…gloves…..including the leafy jacket and hat plus backback…..get smoked once a day in the corner of the bow shed. i use a small chimera and natural cedar…pine…..etc. the corner is pretty much an enclosed closet so when i say smoked……they get smoked. that plus the fact that all my whitetail hunting is done in hip boots…i no longer worry about wind direction or getting my trai busted…..period…….deer are curious about the smoke smell……but never bolt from it…..but….you have to smoke your duds at least once a day……..

[Stephen Graf]

#59090

wojo14 wrote: http://www.cedarcreekcamo.com/products/cedar-oil/16-oz

Anyone ever use this?

Repels bugs and covers sent.

There is a cheaper solution to cedar oil. Buy the oil, and mix your own spray. 1oz oil, a touch of soap, and 12 oz of water or so. Mix to your own taste as they say…

There are many sources of the oil, here’s one:

http://www.100pureessentialoils.com/cedarwood-oil.html

I have used the cedar oil for several years now. It works as well, or maybe better, than the rest of the stuff you can buy.

[Stephen Graf]

#59097

R2 wrote: [quote=Smithhammer][quote=AlexBugnon]My own body-produced wind. If I can’t smell it, it tells me I’m hunting in the right direction! 😛

We have a winner…

But for today’s high-tech hunting world, it really needs a catchy name if you want it to become popular…how about something like, “Tootzonic Flatulax 5000 by Mossy Oak?”

“As more and more hunters take to the woods, I need a cover scent that not only tells me which way the wind is blowing, but also ensures that there are no other hunters downwind of me. The Tootzonic Flatulax 5000™ does both, and now has a permanent place in my hunting kit.”

– Traditional bowhunter, pianist and occasional dabbler in wind instruments, Alex Bugnon

So that is why we find so many empty cans of beenie weenies out in the field?

See, now that’s why I like this site so much. You just never know what you will learn!

I consider myself a pretty good player of the aforementioned wind instrument. But in my limited way of thinking, I just used it as a call… Wait till things get really quiet, you know, when you can hear a hair move on the back of your neck, and then play a nice long soulful note, just to see what happens 8)

[David Petersen]

#59688

Kingwouldbe seems to do pretty darn well on hogs, using cigar smoke. And ain’t no nose like a piggy snout.

There are two basic kinds of scent: First is immediate and airborne and can be managed only by trying to stay downwind of game … which is easier said than done since we rarely know where the game is (thus “hunting”) and second because the wind shifts. Second is residual scent that we leave behind us from contact with vegetation and the ground. This is the one most hunters–who spend most of our time sitting in ambush, tree or ground, in the same small areas over and over through the season–neglect. Let it build up and the game learns we are there when they come by at night and we’re not there. In other words wind scent is momentary, while residual scent works against us for hours or days at a time. Staying clean and doing all we can to eliminate spreading scent to vegetation and ground that we pass frequently, that’s the only remedy. I tromp in wild poop and keep my free hand in my pocket, then sit on a foam pad. It seems to work pretty well.

So far as packing a skunk, I’ve found that eating raw skunk works even better and you don’t have to pack it. I prefer young females.:P

[WyoStillhunter]

#59756

I grab a handful of sagebrush and rub on my clothes when passing through it. Like others I do not hesitate to step in fresh elk droppings. Inevitably I end up with some fresh pitch on my hands or clothing from moving through the timber. Most of all I try to work the breeze and thermal currents to my advantage but they are shifting throughout the day. With all the sweating that goes with hunting at 8000′ elevation there is no “sure thing” and I certainly don’t spend money on any manufactured products.

[paleoman]

#60979

AlexBugnon wrote: My own body-produced wind. If I can’t smell it, it tells me I’m hunting in the right direction! 😛

So true! To your “hardcore” crowd a blast in the bushes is like some High Crime! You just have to be strategic and rip one where the other guy goes:P

[adirondackman]

#62896

Not a big believer in cover scents. I believe that most game animals can differentiate between hundreds of scents at once. They do it every day in the wild to survive. Wind in your face is definitely the best answer however I have tried a few odd things to cover my scent over the years.

I once ate raw Garlic everyday before and on a 7 day Elk hunt. I’m still not sure of the results but I can tell you that no one wanted to be any where near me which made for a great solitary hunt even though I was camping with 3 other guys.

I also tried an old Indian method of not eating meat for a month before the hunt. The theory is that when you eat meat your body gives off the scent of a Predator and when you don’t your body gives off the scent of a none threatening plant eater. I’m not sure of the results of that experiment either. I will tell you that it made me want to harvest an animal fast so that I could eat some meat. Maybe that is the intended idea:lol:

[wojo14]

#62904

The predator/plant eater theory is interesting!:?

[grumpy]

#62910

So after reading this thread, Audrey stopped the car on a back road, and said “So you gonna pick up that dead skunk we just passed?”

[adirondackman]

#63011

wojo14 wrote: The predator/plant eater theory is interesting!:?

I think that there may actually be some scientific data to support it. Think about this: Most animals will become alert and possibly enter Flee mode upon smelling a Man, Wolf, Coyote, Bear and other Predators for the first time without ever scenting them before. They will also smell Birds, Squirrels, Turkeys and other plant eating animals for the first time and not become alarmed. How do they know that certain scents are dangerous and others are not if they have never sensed them before in thier life? Maybe There are certain chemical smells that are consistent with Predators.

[Ralph]

#63625

A friend of mine, many, many years ago, when we were on a bow hunt in the Guadalupe’s in NM learned that there’s some cover scents that ain’t too cool.

Makes one a really unwelcome member of the hunting camp and the evening campfire.

Deer also go around this odor.

[Col Mike]

#7724

R2 wrote: A friend of mine, many, many years ago, when we were on a bow hunt in the Guadalupe’s in NM learned that there’s some cover scents that ain’t too cool.

Makes one a really unwelcome member of the hunting camp and the evening campfire.

Deer also go around this odor.

😀 and your end quote says it all:D

[Wolfshead]

#8305

adirondackman wrote: Not a big believer in cover scents. I believe that most game animals can differentiate between hundreds of scents at once. They do it every day in the wild to survive. Wind in your face is definitely the best answer however I have tried a few odd things to cover my scent over the years.

I once ate raw Garlic everyday before and on a 7 day Elk hunt. I’m still not sure of the results but I can tell you that no one wanted to be any where near me which made for a great solitary hunt even though I was camping with 3 other guys.

I also tried an old Indian method of not eating meat for a month before the hunt. The theory is that when you eat meat your body gives off the scent of a Predator and when you don’t your body gives off the scent of a none threatening plant eater. I’m not sure of the results of that experiment either. I will tell you that it made me want to harvest an animal fast so that I could eat some meat. Maybe that is the intended idea:lol:

I use chloro fresh. Kinda goes along this line.

I start using it about a month before the season starts and use it all season long. Does it work? Not sure yet still trying to get close enough to ask…..:shock::lol::roll:

[Ralph]

#8434

Make you smell like Mr. Clean? 🙄 😀

Good luck!!!

[jczieske]

#8959

When I get to a good spot, I sit and dig my boots into the duff and fluff up some soil, it is very aromatic. I will also rub some on my pants when I move. Had a cow at 20yds last year, and she never knew I was there. Bulls only in north Idaho now, so I just enjoyed watching her.

[Kent Hansen]

#10133

R2 wrote: A friend of mine, many, many years ago, when we were on a bow hunt in the Guadalupe’s in NM learned that there’s some cover scents that ain’t too cool.

Makes one a really unwelcome member of the hunting camp and the evening campfire.

Deer also go around this odor.

I like to pick some fresh hemlock or pine sprigs around my ground blind…it also pads the bottom of a back quiver quite nicely…has proven to work on deer at less than ten yards

[tigertrad]

#41882

Usually find some fresh cow manure on the walk to the tree stand to step in. Have used commercial spray stuff that seems effective, but planning to try smoke. Also, like the sound of the chlorophyll product mentioned above. Often have half a dozen deer eating hand-thrown corn within 10-15 yards, irrespective of wind direction (hunting about 15-ft up in lock-on stand).

[grumpy]

#42110

But is the predator scent from what we eat or are we born with it along with canine teeth?

[jmsmithy]

#42325

“get smoked once a day in the corner of the bow shed. i use a small chimera and natural cedar…pine…..etc. the corner is pretty much an enclosed closet so when i say smoked……they get smoked. that plus the fact that all my whitetail hunting is done in hip boots…i no longer worry about wind direction or getting my trai busted…..period…….deer are curious about the smoke smell……but never bolt from it…..but….you have to smoke your duds at least once a day…..”

I’ve heard this three times now, Maine, the Adirondacks and now here. I find it fascinating that this would work. To me, smoke would be screaming MAN!! throughout the woods…

I’d love to hear more from folks who use this method of scent control/masking. :?::?:

[burgess]

#42982

smoke is a natural outdoor smell…….been around a lot longer than we have been walking up right. if…a big if…..your body is bo clean…….and stays that way for your hunt day…..and you really smoke the hunting cloths until you almost gag from the smell wearing them…..there will be no screaming man scent.

[James Harvey]

#43079

adirondackman wrote:

I think that there may actually be some scientific data to support it. Think about this: Most animals will become alert and possibly enter Flee mode upon smelling a Man, Wolf, Coyote, Bear and other Predators for the first time without ever scenting them before. They will also smell Birds, Squirrels, Turkeys and other plant eating animals for the first time and not become alarmed. How do they know that certain scents are dangerous and others are not if they have never sensed them before in thier life? Maybe There are certain chemical smells that are consistent with Predators.

It’s certainly true that what you eat has an effect on your odour. You only have to sit next to an indian (sub-continental type) on a train to know that. Australian soldiers operating in S/E Asian jungles report the distinctive odour of the enemy who tend to have a spicier diet than we do (in the jungle even humans often smell things before they see them).

My understanding is that there are two types of sweat glands in our bodies, eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands are the ones that try to cool your body down when you’re over heating and also remove salt wastes. Apocrine glands are the ones that kick in at puberty and dump fat and protein wastes. What makes the apocrine waste stink isn’t the fats and proteins, but the waste produced by the micro flora on your skin that eat them. That’s about as far as my understanding goes, but it stands to reason that a vegetarian is going to produce probably a lot less and perhaps different kinds of fat and protein waste. At the very least you’d expect a vegetarian to smell less.

[Ralph]

#43929

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CC8QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fieldandstream.com%2Fblogs%2Fhunting%2F2009%2F11%2Fpee-or-not-pee-your-treestand&ei=QYAhVPTOCsWXyASns4D4BQ&usg=AFQjCNG0e2CK2B-dBFwAE1vbcWmWJWZvHg&sig2=Lbszdj1TOy553_kD_KrI_Q&bvm=bv.75775273,d.aWw&cad=rja

Are we perhaps missing out on a bottled merchandise opportunity here? Non alcoholic though. 😀 My patent……

[burgess]

#43953

:lol::lol:……r2…….been peeing in scrapes probably long before you where a thought. human urine does not spook deer……i do add tarsal scent of my making and a couple other exotic attractor scents plus unscented glycerin plus a teaspoon of salt to a gallon to keep from spoiling, but the basic ingredient is all made by me. i’m able to keep scrapes active and being checked all year……..sooooooo no…..can’t let you have the patent on that r2……:wink:

[Ralph]

#43987

Glad someone thinks I’m a young’n:D

I know, me too on your methods. Just not gonna put my :D:D:D:D:D bottle on the shelf. Probably wouldn’t make a dime.:wink:

[paleoman]

#44252

R2 wrote: Glad someone thinks I’m a young’n:D

I know, me too on your methods. Just not gonna put my :D:D:D:D:D bottle on the shelf. Probably wouldn’t make a dime.:wink:

You could call it P2 kinda like your screen name. PP:D!

[Ralph]

#44256

R2P2. Sounds like a space movie character. It’ll sell:D:D:D

[burgess]

#44271

i think we should just keep our secret little monkeys for our own jungle and not let the world know…….:roll::wink: the eye opener related to all of this is that if i take a buddies store bought magic never fail expensive bottle of hunt magic …..open it and then open a small plastic bottle of my mix…..and ask him or whom ever is pontificating around the tree with us……..no body can really tell the difference between the store bought smell and the homemade smell…..of course…..human noses are doing the lab work……been at this awhile…….and the mixture i’m using now really works……just hard to find as you’ve pointed out……on the store shelf…….:twisted:

[Author]

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