d_rek
Well-Known Member
g2outdoors said:I started this thread last summer as I was researching ScentLok.
I went all in this season with the ScentLok. I didn't hunt a single time without a full containment suit (Savanna Coveralls), ScentLok gloves, ScentLok head covering with face mask, and clean knee high rubber boots. The suit, and all non-ScentLok outer layers, was stored in an air tight container with one of ScentLok's web adsorbers attached to the lid of the tote. All my camo, saddle, back pack and accessories were stored in air tight containers as well, each with a ScentLok web adsorber.
These items were never taken out of their containers except to be washed in Scent free detergent or to be worn into the field. They went straight from the dryer to the tote, and from the tote to my pack to be carried in the woods.
I got dressed in the field after turning off my vehicle. All extra layers were carried into the woods in my pack (which was washed in scent free detergent and stored in an air tight container) to keep them from getting sweaty. I would layer up at the bottom of my tree and place them back in my pack after the hunt for the walk out. There was pretty much no way my stuff could have been contaminated except from smells that were already in the air in my hunting area.
The outer layers never touched my skin. They were always layered on top of my ScentLok Savanna suit and carried in and out of the woods. I washed my outer layers and pack after every 4-6 hunts.
My Results
I definitely noticed a difference. I had multiple instances of deer being dead down wind and not spooking. On multiple occasions the deer knew I was there and did the head-bob-of-death trying to get me to move. They'd circle down wind and try like hell to figure out what I was. They never winded me and eventually moved away. When this happened pre-ScentLok, I would have been winded and the stomping, snorting and blowing would have followed.
I am a firm believer that ScentLok works if you follow a strict regiment of scent management.
I also found out that it's really not a big deal to go through this process. Once you have your system in place, it doesn't feel like a hassle at all. If anything I really enjoyed the extra effort because I really believed that it was making a difference.
I'm going to continue this scent management routing and look for some ways to improve my system for next season. I think I'll probably add a few more ScentLok outer layers just for fun, but I'm not convinced I really need them.
For the money, a full containment lightweight suit like the Savanna Coveralls can't be beat. You can wear it by itself in the early season and all season long just by adjusting your outer layers.
Glad to hear it's working for you AND you're making it work! I know it sounds like a lot more work too but I feel the extra few minutes to do some scent control adds a whole lot more enjoyment to the hunt. I splurged on turkey gear this year so will probably not be getting any new scentlok except on an as-needed basis, although I hope they continue to make improvements to their garments like they did on 2015. My covert suit is one of the best late season hunting suits I have ever owned!