Lotions, potions, and elixirs

[emp1953]

So I'm relatively new to hunting. Got 2nd and 3rd season Colorado elk tags this year. Went scouting last week, and that led to the following questions: what are the most effective Lotions, potions, and elixirs you use to repel bugs, protect from the sun, and mask or eliminate your scent? As you know, elk have a keen sense of smell. Thanks in advance for your insights.

When my camouflage clothes are new I rumple them up in a contractor's black trash bag with pine branches FROM THE AREA I HUNT sealed in the bag. I seldom wash my hunting clothes unless I've had a catastrophe then when I do wash I use some unscented arm & hammer detergent and NEVER put hunting clothes in the dryer. The residual smell from those dryer sheets lasts forever in the dryer. And nothing says human more than the faint aroma of lavender potpourri. I've watched guys come into the lodge after a day out in bad weather and throw their clothes in the camp dryer. Without a doubt, someone has dried their clothes prior to their trip home using dryer sheets. These guys never saw another game animal for the rest of the hunt that they paid dearly for. There is usually a porch, garage, shed, or someplace to hang up the clothes to dry. Near an open fire is even better than the dryer.

 

[Bravo 4]

If I'm staying in the field and can't take a conventional shower of sorts I will control some odor (for myself and buddies, not necessarily game) by washing my clothes in scent free wash (I usually use baking soda) and then spray them down with scent killer and let them hang dry outside…especially my socks, undies, and t-shirts. Separate them into daily use, roll/fold, and place them in ziplock bags. I will probably wear outer garments multiple times to save room and weight. I will also take some wipes (scent killer or sprayed with) for waterless washing. I have done this on field training exercises for many years and when everyone else around me smelled like hammer dog crap, I just merely stank.
If you ruck/hike in your hunting pack to prepare for season buy some scent killer enzyme dip to soak the pack in, it works.
An alternate is learn to shoot ranges far enough for your scent cone to dissipate.

 

[Lee7588]

When my camouflage clothes are new I rumple them up in a contractor's black trash bag with pine branches FROM THE AREA I HUNT sealed in the bag. I seldom wash my hunting clothes unless I've had a catastrophe then when I do wash I use some unscented arm & hammer detergent and NEVER put hunting clothes in the dryer. The residual smell from those dryer sheets lasts forever in the dryer. And nothing says human more than the faint aroma of lavender potpourri. I've watched guys come into the lodge after a day out in bad weather and throw their clothes in the camp dryer. Without a doubt, someone has dried their clothes before their trip home using dryer sheets. These guys never saw another game animal for the rest of the hunt that they paid dearly for. There is usually a porch, garage, shed, or someplace to hang up the clothes to dry. Near an open fire is even better than the dryer.

I agree with what you are saying but will add. Be careful with garages and what is in them. My truck is a diesel so mine has a diesel aroma, which isn't a big deal in farmlands but in a forested area diesel may be a big give away.

 

[Lee7588]

Very keen. While my ozonics unit keeps white tails and muleys confused, not so elk. Find a source for milkweed pods and carry two in a ziplock bag. Let a few seed puffs fly every now and then. certainly cheap enough and you can watch it for a long distance, especially through binoculars. It will definitely surprise you how much the air swirls around and changes directions.

I keep cotton in an old coin holder to check wind.

 

[Lee7588]

Smoke a pipe with some nice smelling tobacco for the downwind critters.

The other evening I was sitting at the top of one of our fields smoking a cigar just watching to see what was moving in that area. I had deer within 50 yds of me, I wasn't in a blind or a stand just in the side x side. Ended up counting 15 deer all does and fawns but none seemed to mind the cigar

 

[Bravo 4]

The other evening I was sitting at the top of one of our fields smoking a cigar just watching to see what was moving in that area. I had deer within 50 yds of me, I wasn't in a blind or a stand just in the side x side. Ended up counting 15 deer all does and fawns but none seemed to mind the cigar

They sensed you weren't hunting them. Ever been to a bar around a lot of single older women, you know when you are on the menu.

 

[emp1953]

The other evening I was sitting at the top of one of our fields smoking a cigar just watching to see what was moving in that area. I had deer within 50 yds of me, I wasn't in a blind or a stand just in the side x side. Ended up counting 15 deer all does and fawns but none seemed to mind the cigar

Last year after I downed a buck, While I waited for the guide to come get me, About 20 minutes before last light, I lit up a cigar to celebrate and popped a Pepsi. In about 10 minutes 3 deer walked into the same spot where the newly shot buck was laying. They just looked at the deer lying off to the side. No concerns with me sucking on the cigar and burping the Pepsi. Still in the stand. The little breeze there was would puff in my face every now and then.