Do you use scents when hunting whitetail deer? You'll find it quite rare to come across hunters who are not carrying some kind of fragrance with them, in the hopes of finding more success, and more opportunities to drop a big trophy whitetail buck.
Scents can be broken down into two basic categories, cover scents and lures. Cover scents are used to re-create a natural smell, such as the scent of small forest animals, or of the forest itself. Lures can be used to imitate a deers' natural food source, or to that of a doe in heat.
Expert opinions say that scents are quite useful when used properly. Unfortunately, no scent will work to its' full capacity if the hunter themselves do not remain (human)scent free. Biologists believe that a mature whitetail buck can detect one particle of human odor when combined with ten thousand particles of any cover scent. Whitetail deer have very sensitive noses, and are dependant on their sense of smell for survival.
Hunters today have the added advantage of scent blocking garments, as well as sprays and powders. If you use cover scents, use them wisely. The biggest problem hunters have is removing their human scent. With the whitetail deer having such a great sense of smell, it is most beneficial to you, the predator, not to smell like one. The only thing that a deer cannot smell, is nothing.
Our goal as deer hunters is to attract them to where we have a clean shot. It's always best to stay downwind when setting up close to an active deer path, and when using food attractants, they should be common to the hunting area. The whitetail deer is a wild animal and you can't always tell what their reaction might be to a certain scent or lure.
The most successful hunter hunts with his mind, creating techniques from knowledge and experience. If something is not working right, or you are not having much luck on your hunts, examine what measures you are taking to ensure your success. Remember, you are trying to outsmart this animal on its' own turf, and you are one of many predators it must be wary of to survive.
