How to Remove Scent From Hunting Gear
Eliminating the human scent from a hunter's gear and body can be the difference between bagging a buck or not while in the field.
Deer, elk, bears and other big game animals' sense of smell is more effective than that of a human--making scent control an important hunting technique. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, deer can smell up to 1,000 times better than humans.
By removing or masking scents on a hunter's body, clothes and gear, a hunter has a better chance of fooling a game animal's nose and taking home a trophy.
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Things You'll Need
- Hunting clothing
- Hunting gear
- Scent-free soap
- Scent-free shampoo
- Scent-free toothpaste
- Scent-free laundry detergent
- Baking soda
- Scent control spray and wipes
- Exfoliating shower gloves
- Rubber gloves
- Scent-free containers
Instructions
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Scent Control Techniques for Hunters
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Reduce the scent on hunting gear by airing it out before the start of the hunting season. Gather all hunting gear like tree stands, firearms, archery equipment and packs, and allow these items to air out. Wipe down all firearms and archery equipment with scent control wipes, and store the equipment in airtight cases.
According to Pro Hunter Journal, airing out hunting gear and equipment before it is used during the season will help eliminate residual scents.
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Remove human odor from hunting clothes by taking a few precautions before you head into the field.
C.D. Denmom, a veteran hunter of 24 years, recommends beginning a scent control regimen by washing all hunting clothes and cloth packs.
Before loading the hunting clothes into a washing machine, Denmom cleans the washing machine to rid the washer of any possible leftover detergent scents.
Load all the hunting clothes into the washer and wash them with scent-free laundry detergent made for hunters.
After washing the clothes and packs, be sure to remove any lint from the dryer before loading and drying the clothing and equipment.
When the clothing is completely dried, store the clothes and packs in an airtight container made for hunting clothing and gear or an unscented trash bag, Denmom recommends.
If desired, add a few drops of scent cover or eliminator to the clothes before sealing them up using a clean dropper or dispenser. Always use rubber gloves when handling scent covers or eliminators.
Clean rubber hunting shoes with a scent-free soap or a solution of baking soda and water. Spray the shoes inside and out with some scent eliminating spray to cover any remaining odors.
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Control bodily scents with several techniques used and recommended by seasoned hunters.
Shower the day of the hunting trip with a scent-free soap and shampoo. Use the exfoliating gloves to remove dead skin cells and work the scent-free soap into the skin.
Air dry after showering or use a towel that has been washed in scent-free laundry detergent. Apply a scent-free deodorant to under arms to control bodily odors, Pro Hunters Journal says.
Brush your teeth using a scent-free toothpaste or baking soda. Pro Hunters Journal recommends using a tongue scraper and flossing on a regular basis to control mouth odors that may be detected by deer or other game animals.
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Spray all hunting gear with scent eliminating spray before going afield, Bill Vaznis, author of 500 Deer Hunting Tips: Strategies, Techniques and Methods, advises. Reapply the compound every few hours while hunting, Vaznis says.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't forget to clean hunting caps or hats, and spray them with an odor eliminating compound.
Always hunt downwind.
Add twigs and leaves from your designated hunting area to the sealed container of clothing to add scent from that area.
Trial and error will determine what techniques work best in your hunting area.
Don't overdo it when adding scents to clothes, hunting gear and hunting areas.
Don't eat or drink anything while hunting. This will counteract all previous scent-control techniques.
