How to Make Scent Blocks for Hunting

Game animal such as elk are very sensitive to smell.

Scent blocks or scent blockers are sprays or devices to camouflage your scent from animals. Deer, elk and other animals rely on highly developed senses of smell to alert them to danger. Camouflaging your scent will decrease the chance that your quarry will detect you and get spooked as you approach. By using materials you gather from the area in which you plan to hunt you can develop a scent block that will increase your chance of a successful hunt.

Things You'll Need

• Acorns
• Tree bark
• Grasses
• Pine needles
• Twigs
• Dirt
• Water
• Pot
• Cheesecloth
• Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Gather acorns, tree bark, grasses, pine needles, twigs and other plant bits from the forest you plan to hunt in. Add dirt if you wish. This will ensure that you have the scents of plants which are growing in that particular forest at that moment.

2. Boil the mixture in water for half an hour. Allow it to cool.

3. Strain your natural scents through cheesecloth into a clean spray bottle. Particles can clog the nozzle, so straining is necessary.

4. Apply the mixture liberally to your clothing and any exposed areas of your body. Reapply it every hour or two to keep blocking your own scent.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash with fragrance-free soap, apply unscented deodorant and wash your clothes with unscented detergent before going hunting. The fragrances in many products can potentially give you away to your prey.

References

• Foremost Hunting: Homemade Scent Block