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Scent Distractant

BowhunterXC

BowhunterXC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2021
Messages
620
Location
N.W. Ohio
I've been doing this for several years with no ill effects. By that I mean that none of the deer were spooked or avoided the area.

I'll pop a bag of buttered microwave popcorn, take it to the tree of my choice and sprinkle it upwind of my location. Typically, I'll sprinkle it within 15 to 20 yards of my tree location. This works great, if a deer decides to circle you, to get downwind and check you out. It seems as though the food smell overrides the possibility of any danger....providing that the deer hasn't actually seen me.
I've had bucks and does pick up the scent of the popcorn and walk right to it, like they were on a string. :) If nothing else, it makes for an inexpensive cover scent.

Has anyone else used something similar and had good results?
 
My old hunting partner used to swear by jerkins almond and cherry scented lotion, said he’d been using it for years no problem. I challenged him on this and he wore it one time when we were tandem hunting stacked, deer came right up to his tree sniffing around. I was like sonofabiscuit.
 
Hum.. seems like trying not to stink like a hunter trying not to stink can work as well. Interesting. But I'll be honest. I would have a hard time dumping the popcorn. I would want to snack on it.
 
I used to hunt thick cedar swamps in N. Mich. I used to take an orange with me to hold out til after the a.m. hunt. 1st time I ate one out there , it had deer curiously approach the orange peels. I do suggest not sitting at the base of a tree when using this method. Big mamma doe n fam were 5yrds from me. As a youngster I was crapping myself & in awe at the same time. Its been yrs since Ive used an orange, no crinkly wrappers. Maybe its time to return to it. Thnx for making me remember.
 
I have pulled pine needles off young pines and broken them, ground them together good and then rubbed the very heavy pine scent all over my clothing and boots. I think it helps in places where there are a lot of pines. I also sprayed a bush down with a bottled concoction I made with rainwater (no chlorine) and vanilla extract. I had a spike come in and start eating the bush, lol.
 
MattMan81 said:
Hum.. seems like trying not to stink like a hunter trying not to stink can work as well. Interesting. But I'll be honest. I would have a hard time dumping the popcorn. I would want to snack on it.
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Of course, personal hygiene is of the utmost, along with playing the wind. :)

Another "trick" is using vanilla extract on a cotton ball, in a plastic 35mm film canister works very well. Curiosity scents that they like, even if they don't know why or have never experienced it before, seems to hold there attention long enough for a shot. I've witnessed deer nosing the open film canister around on the ground and licking it. Apparently, it's something they like.
 
BowhunterXC said:
Of course, personal hygiene is of the utmost, along with playing the wind. :)

Another "trick" is using vanilla extract on a cotton ball, in a plastic 35mm film canister works very well. Curiosity scents that they like, even if they don't know why or have never experienced it before, seems to hold there attention long enough for a shot. I've witnessed deer nosing the open film canister around on the ground and licking it. Apparently, it's something they like.
Click to expand...
Vanilla works well esp if slightly diluted with water because it smells like acorns. I find a lot of dropping acorns by being downwind of them and smelling a slight vanillaish scent. You can also find persimmon and honey locust that are dropping by smell too. You have to be pretty close to them already but if you spot a tree and are moving toward it from the downwind side, you can usually tell if it is dropping before you get to the drip line.

As to the popcorn, thats not legal on public here or anywhere else I am familiar with. And here it would probably just ensure a sit of bear watching. It makes a fantastic bear bait.

I havent smoked my clothes but know several guys that do with good success.
 
BTaylor said:
Vanilla works well esp if slightly diluted with water because it smells like acorns. I find a lot of dropping acorns by being downwind of them and smelling a slight vanillaish scent. You can also find persimmon and honey locust that are dropping by smell too. You have to be pretty close to them already but if you spot a tree and are moving toward it from the downwind side, you can usually tell if it is dropping before you get to the drip line.

As to the popcorn, thats not legal on public here or anywhere else I am familiar with. And here it would probably just ensure a sit of bear watching. It makes a fantastic bear bait.

I havent smoked my clothes but know several guys that do with good success.
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Correct. Essentially we are talking about illegal baiting if done on public land.


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Here is a bait site I found while out on a dove hunt on public land last sept. I thought I smelled water in the desert and it had me coming in on a string.

b3d4957ae534e38235d653f46cc8e2e7.jpg



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I don't know if it helps but in the container I store the hunt stuff I took an old pantyho and cut a leg off.....then fill the leg with cedar chips.and keep it in the bottom of the box. Fluff it up every once in a while and it smells for a long time. I can tell my stuff has a cedar smell when I first put it on but who knows once I start sweating
 
Weldabeast said:
I don't know if it helps but in the container I store the hunt stuff I took an old pantyho and cut a leg off.....then fill the leg with cedar chips.and keep it in the bottom of the box. Fluff it up every once in a while and it smells for a long time. I can tell my stuff has a cedar smell when I first put it on but who knows once I start sweating
Click to expand...
Good idea. Fill one leg with rice bran and the other with Big&J. Clothes smell like a buffet.
 
NMSbowhunter said:
I have pulled pine needles off young pines and broken them, ground them together good and then rubbed the very heavy pine scent all over my clothing and boots. I think it helps in places where there are a lot of pines. I also sprayed a bush down with a bottled concoction I made with rainwater (no chlorine) and vanilla extract. I had a spike come in and start eating the bush, lol.
Click to expand...
I played with spraying fake vanilla extract on bushes. It worked I guess, insofar as it stopped the deer for a little bit now and then. Never spooked one to my knowledge.
 
Exhumis said:
My old hunting partner used to swear by jerkins almond and cherry scented lotion, said he’d been using it for years no problem. I challenged him on this and he wore it one time when we were tandem hunting stacked, deer came right up to his tree sniffing around. I was like sonofabiscuit.
Click to expand...
I am not going into the woods with someone carrying jerkins!
 
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