Whitetails 365: Harnessing the Power of Scents

Whitetails 365: Harnessing the Power of Scents

By Aaron McKinney

As experienced hunters, we know that successfully hunting deer goes beyond just having the right gear and a steady aim. Whether it’s to attract bucks during the rut or mask your presence, using scents can make all the difference. In this article, we’ll delve into scent control, selecting the right scent, and when and how to use them.

Scent Control: The Foundation of Success
Before you even think about deploying scents in the field, you need to ensure you’re as scent-free as possible. This means taking meticulous steps to eliminate any human odor that might tip off and pressure deer. Start with scent-neutral soap for your pre-hunt shower. Keep your gear as scent-free and clean as you can. Additionally, use scent-eliminating sprays to cover any lingering odors. I always handle the deer lure and scents with gloves to avoid leaving my scent behind and educating deer.

On a different note, I’ve used Ever Calm, by Conquest, as a cover scent. Some deer will always catch you, you can’t beat a deer’s nose. Ever Calm comes in a stick (similar to a deodorant stick), and smells like a herd of deer. It works really well. Some people put it on the tree, I put it all over me. I put it on my boots, pants, and coat. It helps keep deer relaxed and calm. If anything, it’s a really good cover scent.

Quality Matters
When it comes to choosing a scent, quality is everything. Opt for high-quality, fresh scents from reputable manufacturers. Remember, not all scents are created equal, and a top-notch scent can make a significant difference in attracting deer. I really like using real urine. However, you really have to take care of the real stuff. Be sure to store it in a refrigerator when you’re not using it. A favorite tends to be Mrs. Doe Pee. We sell a lot of that at the Iowa Outdoors Store in Fort Dodge.

For synthetic options, or scents with preservatives, I like the VS1 by Conquest. I normally don’t like to go with synthetics, but the VS1 is one of my favorites. Code Blue and Tink’s are good brands when it comes to using ones with preservatives too. We sell a lot of scents with preservatives. If you get it to work 15 -20% of the time, it’s a success. You have to catch a buck at the right time, in the right mood. It might draw in the trophy buck. Whether you’re using fresh or synthetic scents, when the urine goes rancid, it can do more harm than good. Don’t use scents if they smell unnatural or foul to you.

How and When to Use Scents
Understanding when and how to use scents is crucial for success. I’ll use some buck lure early season. It’s good to have a good tarsal gland or dominate buck lure. I use that as soon as scrapes start going. This is a really good way to catch some good pictures. I have used dominant buck lure before season to get some good pictures and get a good inventory about what’s around. I’ve also noticed southern Iowa has a little earlier scraping activity than the northern areas.

Keep in mind, every time you use estrus, or any scent, it won’t bring in a parade of trophy bucks past your stand. You have to catch the right buck at the right time, and he has to be in the mood to find a new doe. You also might lure in the small spikes and basket racked deer. However, when it works and your target buck comes in, that makes all the work worth it!
The last week of October is when I use doe estrus. I’ll use it in scrapes. I’ll use it around that Halloween time frame all the way to shotgun season. I’ve shot some really good deer Thanksgiving weekend, and they were out looking for a new doe. Just because the peak of the rut is over, doesn’t mean that your chances are gone. I really enjoy hunting around Thanksgiving and up until the opening day of gun seasons. Does that don’t get bred early will cycle into heat again and the bucks are ready to find them.

Some guys like to use scent drags or scent wicks. Attach a piece of absorbent material (like a drag rag or wick) to a long piece of string. Soak it in the doe estrus scent, then drag it along a deer trail or rub line on your way to your hunting stand. This creates a scent trail that bucks can follow back to your location. You won’t have a buck follow your drag in every single time, but it may work a time or two, especially during the rut.

Freeze-Dried Scents
Freeze-dried scents are a relatively new technology in the hunting world. These lures preserve the true effect of urine without losing potency. They offer an indefinite shelf life and can be reactivated at any time by simply adding water. While they haven’t been widely field-tested, they show promise as a convenient and long-lasting scent option. I haven’t tried these yet, but they seem like a good option to get fresh real scent that is easy to use and store. Currently, there are options for both buck scent and doe estrus.

Mock Scrapes
I’ll try to get a scrap line going, especially close to a stand. It doesn’t work every time, but you seem to get more pictures than anything. Sometimes I’ll have a mock scrape that I use too. Some hunters use scent dispensers like scent bombs or canisters placed strategically near their hunting stand. There are types that you can hang from branches that drip scent into the scrape. There are also scrape starters. For these, you can bury a canister that has a wick. The wick keeps the scrape scented with buck or doe urine. Land Mines from Mrs. Doe Pee allows you to bury a bottle and pull the wick up. It works really well.

When dispensing scent, it’s almost like coyote trapping, leave as little scent behind as possible. I try and wear gloves and rubber boots to help contain my intrusive scent. Additionally, I don’t start a scrape where the deer population is low. It doesn’t do me any good if there isn’t much traffic around that area to come check my scrapes.
Pay close attention to the wind direction when using scents. I try to set up scrapes according to the wind. My scrape might be connecting a cross wind. I’ve found mature bucks will travel quartering into a wind. A lot of time they’ll come down wind of my scrape, I try and set up so I have shot opportunities before they even get to the scrape, and for sure before they can smell me.

Finishing Thoughts
No matter how enticing your scent is, it won’t work if you’re not in the right place. Identify prime hunting locations within your hunting area. Focus on deer trails, feeding areas, and travel corridors. Ideally, select areas with signs of recent buck activity such as scrapes and rubs. Your scent will be most effective in areas already frequented by deer.

Using scents while deer hunting is a developed skill that can greatly enhance your success as a hunter. By mastering scent control, selecting quality scents, scouting the right locations, and understanding when and how to use them, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an advanced hunter who consistently brings home the trophy bucks. With the advent of freeze-dried scents and innovative scent dispensers, the possibilities are greater than ever before. So, gear up, stay patient, and let the power of scents work in your favor on your next hunting expedition this fall.