How to Make Deer Scent

Deer scent is used as an attractant when hunting and has become a multimillion-dollar industry. The type of deer scent used depends on the gender being hunted. To draw in bucks, doe estrus is used, and to draw the females, male scent is used. However, males tend to prove dominance, so male scent works well for both does and bucks. For avid hunters, deer scent can become expense over the course of the hunting season. While making deer scent is not necessarily hard, it's not for the faint at heart (or stomach).

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Harvested buck deer
• Saw or sharp knife
• Nylon socks
• Large jar or bottle with secure lid

Collecting Deer Scent

1. Harvest a buck deer or locate a buck that a friend has harvested.

2. Locate the tarsal scent glands on the buck. It's the section of the leg that would be considered the ankle. The tarsal scent glands are where the large colored patch of hair is on the inside of each hind leg; the hair is often sticking out somewhat.

3. Remove the tarsal glands by cutting or sawing.

4. Place each tarsal gland in a nylon sock.

5. Put the nylon socks in the jar or bottle.

6. Locate the bladder on the deer.

7. Position the jar under the bladder.

8. Cut the bladder slightly and drain the urine into the jar containing the tarsal glands.

9. Secure the lid on the container until you're ready for use.

Tips & Warnings

• To use, remove a nylon sock containing a tarsal gland and hang it near a fresh scrape.
• The urine and tarsal gland excretions are highly pungent. Avoid contact with regular clothing or deer meat.