I will acknowledge right now that this is not for everyone. But it works for me. Been using this little trick for about three years now and it saves me a lot of effort come hunting season. I came up with the idea when I got tired of stinking up my hunting locations after walking in several miles. I had one of those "moments" in a tree when the idea just popped into my head as I was trying to come up with a system of scent control while hunting remote spots. Not sure if anyone else has ever done this as I am sure I am not the only one that thinks on these things? I consider this a hunting technique similar to prepping my trees - a lot of work but something that pays big dividends come hunting season.
Down here, where I hunt, 80 degree heat is pretty typical during Oct and sometimes in Nov and December.... you sweat walking in. That's why I have change out clothes and designated changing locations within 100-150 yards of my stands.
Here's my "tip of the day"...... I seldom carry in water, waders or other bulky items. In the far distant areas I hunt I go in during the summer heat and I bury a 48 qrt plastic ice chest with just the lid exposed. I buy these at garage sales for a few bucks during "spring cleaning" season. I usually spray paint - or more recently I Mache dirt and twigs to the top or lid.
After I get these set in the ground, I cover the top with brush and dirt (I especially like to set these up in green briar). During my final prep trip in late August/early Sept, I stock these locations with things like 12 water bottles, unscented baby wipes, bottle of scent killer, extra AAA batteries for my head lamp, box of protein bars, 3-4 extra tee shirts in plastic zip lock bags, activated scent lok base layer top/bottom, extra zip lock plastic bags, extra wool socks, etc.... I usually also place a small homemade first aid kit/bag in each. Some of my locations near water sources I keep a small hand towel and a bar of ivory soap in the box. I also attach a small battery push lite (the kind you see on TV) to the underside of lid to give me ambient lighting to change with. You can store anything you don't want to carry in - pull ropes, steps, etc..... I also hide lightweight waders if needed and sometimes a complete set of climbing sticks nearby and use a leafy military camo net to cover them up. I use these same locations yearly and I call these my designated changing locations. Like I said above, I try to keep these at least 100-150 yards from my hunting locations to avoid spooking deer while changing but not so far that I work up another sweat. So far I have been lucky and no one has "unearthed" one of my stashes.
Come hunting season, I typically walk in at least two hours before daylight. I am usually wearing nothing on but shorts, rubber boots and a cotton tee shirt carrying my pack, bow and sometimes climbing sticks. I undress and cool down for about 10 minutes. I then use the baby wipes to completely wipe down. At a couple of my locations I am near a large creek/river so I sometimes wash down and dry off while I am there. My goal is to get as scent free as I can before I walk into my stand location.
I then change into fresh scent lok base layers, clean socks and put on my hunting suit/saddle and spray down with scent killer. I throw a bottle of water in my pack and load up with a couple protein bars. I put all the soiled clothes in a separate plastic bag and store in the chest until my hunt is over. I then walk back to changing location, store my scent lok base layer suit in a gallon zip lock bag and change back into my walk in clothes. I take the soiled clothes with me. I usually keep enough tee shirts for 5 to 6 hunts and use one scent lock suit for that period of time. Since I rarely hunt a single stand for more than 4 or 5 times a year most sites last me for the season. If not, or if during the rut I stay in same area, I just restock on one of my trips back into the hunting area. At a minimum I seldom have to carry heavy water, scent killer, and can change out of my walk in clothes/socks.
Yes it is a little costly to duplicate some of the equipment/clothing items but I sure don't miss carrying all that stuff in every hunt. I use a game cart during summer to get stuff back in there and I usually do it far before the sun comes up. It is also the same time I pull my cards/replace batteries in my scout cameras and refresh mineral licks. I like using ice chest as they don't seem to break down much and last for several years..... at least three that I know of and still going strong.
Like I said it's a lot of work, not everyone will embrace this idea, but it works well for me.
Down here, where I hunt, 80 degree heat is pretty typical during Oct and sometimes in Nov and December.... you sweat walking in. That's why I have change out clothes and designated changing locations within 100-150 yards of my stands.
Here's my "tip of the day"...... I seldom carry in water, waders or other bulky items. In the far distant areas I hunt I go in during the summer heat and I bury a 48 qrt plastic ice chest with just the lid exposed. I buy these at garage sales for a few bucks during "spring cleaning" season. I usually spray paint - or more recently I Mache dirt and twigs to the top or lid.
After I get these set in the ground, I cover the top with brush and dirt (I especially like to set these up in green briar). During my final prep trip in late August/early Sept, I stock these locations with things like 12 water bottles, unscented baby wipes, bottle of scent killer, extra AAA batteries for my head lamp, box of protein bars, 3-4 extra tee shirts in plastic zip lock bags, activated scent lok base layer top/bottom, extra zip lock plastic bags, extra wool socks, etc.... I usually also place a small homemade first aid kit/bag in each. Some of my locations near water sources I keep a small hand towel and a bar of ivory soap in the box. I also attach a small battery push lite (the kind you see on TV) to the underside of lid to give me ambient lighting to change with. You can store anything you don't want to carry in - pull ropes, steps, etc..... I also hide lightweight waders if needed and sometimes a complete set of climbing sticks nearby and use a leafy military camo net to cover them up. I use these same locations yearly and I call these my designated changing locations. Like I said above, I try to keep these at least 100-150 yards from my hunting locations to avoid spooking deer while changing but not so far that I work up another sweat. So far I have been lucky and no one has "unearthed" one of my stashes.
Come hunting season, I typically walk in at least two hours before daylight. I am usually wearing nothing on but shorts, rubber boots and a cotton tee shirt carrying my pack, bow and sometimes climbing sticks. I undress and cool down for about 10 minutes. I then use the baby wipes to completely wipe down. At a couple of my locations I am near a large creek/river so I sometimes wash down and dry off while I am there. My goal is to get as scent free as I can before I walk into my stand location.
I then change into fresh scent lok base layers, clean socks and put on my hunting suit/saddle and spray down with scent killer. I throw a bottle of water in my pack and load up with a couple protein bars. I put all the soiled clothes in a separate plastic bag and store in the chest until my hunt is over. I then walk back to changing location, store my scent lok base layer suit in a gallon zip lock bag and change back into my walk in clothes. I take the soiled clothes with me. I usually keep enough tee shirts for 5 to 6 hunts and use one scent lock suit for that period of time. Since I rarely hunt a single stand for more than 4 or 5 times a year most sites last me for the season. If not, or if during the rut I stay in same area, I just restock on one of my trips back into the hunting area. At a minimum I seldom have to carry heavy water, scent killer, and can change out of my walk in clothes/socks.
Yes it is a little costly to duplicate some of the equipment/clothing items but I sure don't miss carrying all that stuff in every hunt. I use a game cart during summer to get stuff back in there and I usually do it far before the sun comes up. It is also the same time I pull my cards/replace batteries in my scout cameras and refresh mineral licks. I like using ice chest as they don't seem to break down much and last for several years..... at least three that I know of and still going strong.
Like I said it's a lot of work, not everyone will embrace this idea, but it works well for me.
