Hi, guys. I'm new to tree saddles this season, and I am having my best season yet--by far. I love the saddle, and I love this site. After a couple of months in the saddle, I have a few simple questions about scent control:
1. This year I have worn Sitka over scentlok treated base layers. My goal is to have the scentlok close to my body to absorb human odor, and have an entirely scent-free outer layer (including free of the scentlok smell). I use a strict scent control regime, similar to John E's above. After a hunt, I'm frustrated by the fact that the Sitka gear carries the Scentlok medicinal stink. And the stink is really hard to wash out--REALLY hard (multiple washings do not entirely remove the smell). So, is my Sitka now the equivalent of a scentlok suit, or does it just stink?
2. I have hunted from tree stands and used a strict scent control regime for the past few years, usually between 15 and 20ft. Now, with the saddle and aiders and advice from this site, I am hunting around 28-30 ft. If anything, my scent control this season is worse b/c I am wearing Sitka outerwear instead of scentlok. But I am seeing more deer than ever--a lot more and more mature deer, and I suspect that if I were higher I would see even more. So, how much of "scent control" is attributable to height alone?
3. I really dislike and mistrust the scentlok medicinal stink. If I can smell it, the deer surely can. Should it be viewed merely as a cover scent? Wouldn't it be better to use carbon powder in the base layers, and a scent-free outer layer?