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Thermacell recommendations

DC10

DC10

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2017
Messages
457
Location
North Carolina
For those that use a thermacell, do you have any recommendations? Do some work better than others? And has anyone noticed it negatively affecting their hunt (deer being spooked by the smell)?
 
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I have one, but haven't gotten a deer yet with or without to speak with authority. I don't like that it's deliberately putting out a scent (especially while I'm also wearing scent-lok, it seems counterproductive to the suit), but have seen plenty of people say it doesn't bother deer.

(Edit: the deer I've gotten were in cold-weather when bugs weren't an issue)

I have noticed the improvement in my bug experience with it when I'm sitting still for a long time, but I question how well it would do in any kind of breeze. I can't use bug spray (the deet makes my skin feel like it's burning) and that obviously has a strong smell anyway. I'm interested in trying permethrin on my scent-lok stuff. There are threads here and elsewhere about it.
 
I hunt FL & always have a thermacell with me. Sometimes 2 with me when deep in swamps.

Everyone I know uses them down here & never heard of deer spooking from them. It’s made with a natural plant chemical so maybe deer don’t mind.


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I still use the first one I ever bought, so I’m not sure about the performance of the new ones.

I’ve killed many deer with mine. It doesn’t seem to bother the deer. If anything, I think it has made one or two curious because it has a pretty sweet smell.

One suggestion, do not buy the cover scent refill wafers. They stink bad. You’re better of with the standard wafer.
 
Buy 2 so u have a back up. Keep it in ur truck for when ur primary one stops lighting, burner starts shutting itself off , not burning as hot or u drop it from 30ft and kill it.

The old ones lasted forever.

The new ones will start having issues eventually.


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They rock. I have killed a couple deer that i think could have smelled it but didnt seem to phase them. Im also not wearing scent lok. If i was peob wojkd defeat the purpose of the suit. But better than needing blood transfusion.
 
Tjraley2 said:
I still use the first one I ever bought, so I’m not sure about the performance of the new ones.

I’ve killed many deer with mine. It doesn’t seem to bother the deer. If anything, I think it has made one or two curious because it has a pretty sweet smell.

One suggestion, do not buy the cover scent refill wafers. They stink bad. You’re better of with the standard wafer.
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I also only use the standard wafers without the extra scents added to it.



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Since we're in the discussion of thermacells I have a question. Have any of you had a warranty issue right out of the box with the company. I bought a thermacell last year to replace one that wasn't working for saddle Palooza fired it up just to make sure it was working properly(it was) and went to use it here recently and it does not work anymore. I was going to contact the company but I didn't know if anyone here had any positive or negative results trying to get one warrantied. They're not that expensive but it just kind of irritates me that I didn't even get to use the damn thing before it broke.

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I have one of the old ones and it's always worked flawless. I bought a new one with the dial on the front a few years ago and it was a piece of junk. Worked for a couple hunts then started shutting off after 20-30 min. I contacted them about it and they told me to send it in. After getting it back it, no change. Still shut off after a few min. I probably should've called them again but it went in the trash and just went back to the old one that still works like a charm.
 
Off also makes a product that is similar to a thermacell with exception of it doesn't use a burner. It has a little fan that you can turn on and off. I don't know how well it works with the fan off but a buddy of mine had one on in some really nasty mosquitoes in the swamp and I'm telling you it worked like a charm. There's no way you could leave the fan on while hunting it definitely makes a noticeable sound. I don't remember the exact name of the product I'll try to shoot my buddy a text and find out. Someone else on here may already know what I'm talking about.

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Slightly off topic, but I occasionally use one without a wafer as a hand warmer in the gun blind. Works great.


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I rarely use it, but if I do the wind has to be absolutely perfect , the best option in my opinion is the bug tamer jacket, been using them since the late 80sScreenshot_20180715-111215.jpg
 
I’ve still got the first model that came out. Only down side to them is when pressing the button to light it. It’s a bit noisy. Killed plenty of deer using one.
 
VA saddlehunter said:
I rarely use it, but if I do the wind has to be absolutely perfect , the best option in my opinion is the bug tamer jacket, been using them since the late 80sView attachment 5151
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I use a big tamer jacket every day along with Thermacell. I use bug tamer while walking & during peak mosquito time while on stand. The bug tamers are dark tho (mossy oak camo) & look like a dark blob from a distance. My old Realtree one blends in better. Wish they’d come out with a lighter camo again.


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The mosquito's in some of the area I hunt were used as extra's in Jurassic Park. Never leave home without it. I also use the Sawyer's too but I rely on that more for the ticks. I guess you can count mine as a "new" one since it's only a couple of years old and it works fine.
 
denots said:
Off also makes a product that is similar to a thermacell with exception of it doesn't use a burner. It has a little fan that you can turn on and off. I don't know how well it works with the fan off but a buddy of mine had one on in some really nasty mosquitoes in the swamp and I'm telling you it worked like a charm. There's no way you could leave the fan on while hunting it definitely makes a noticeable sound. I don't remember the exact name of the product I'll try to shoot my buddy a text and find out. Someone else on here may already know what I'm talking about.

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Click to expand...

The fan is louder than you think it is


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