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The Right Scents for Whitetails

By Michaelean Pike

I’m sorry to tell you this, but you stink. Day in and day out, your body is busy manufacturing the kinds of telltale odors that spell danger to wary big game animals. Skin and hair oils, sweat, mouth odors and many other charming human scents can ruin even the most carefully planned hunt. Many of these odors are detectable even to the relatively dull human nose, which is why your odor problem is compounded by the numerous products we’ve developed to hide those objectionable scents from each other. Everything from toothpaste to deodorant to laundry detergent to hand soap seems to be scented these days, and those foreign smells can frequently lead to hunting disaster as well. After all, anything that puts a whitetail buck on high alert is a bad thing. Fortunately, the hunting scent industry is just as busy manufacturing solutions as your body is manufacturing problems.

There are more options available for eradicating human and foreign odors now than ever before. Scent-eliminating properties can be found in everything from shampoo to chewing gum to field wipes to quality clothing designed with the bowhunter in mind. There are even a number of high-tech electronic scent-elimination systems.

And savvy whitetail hunters know that they can increase their chances of success even more by combining a detailed scent-elimination regime with today’s potent attractants and lures. If you’re looking to bring your quarry to you, there’s no shortage of attractants. Whether you’re hunting whitetails, elk, bear, predators or hogs, the perfect lure is out there. There are also a number of highly effective scent dispensers to make your scent of choice go further.

With all the scent options available today, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the selection. We’ve broken the scent category into scent-elimination products, electronic scent eliminators, scent-eliminating clothing, cover scents, attractants and scent dispensers to help you sort through the best scent products on the market today. Try a few from each category to find out which products work best for you.

Scent-Elimination Products

Eliminating all traces of human scent is a critical part of a successful hunt. You can have the fastest bow and the deadliest broadheads, but if one whiff of human scent makes its way out of your stand, you’ll spend your day looking at a lot of waving white tails. Luckily, a number of products are available to help you develop a thorough pre-hunt scent-elimination regimen.

The Muzzy Scrape Juice line offers hunters a convenient, easy-to-use system to eliminate scent. First, Muzzy’s Shampoo & Body Soap removes human odor from the hair and skin. Available in Unscented and Earth Scented, Shampoo & Body Soap comes in a large, economical bottle that bowhunters on a budget will appreciate. Next, the Original Super Odor Eliminator removes odor from clothing and gear. With its specially designed spray bottle, Super Odor Eliminator delivers a light, even coating with each spray so there’s no waste.

For 2009, Scent Shield worked with Mark and Terry Drury of the Dream Season television show to come up with the Dream Season Pro Scent Elimination Kit. This comprehensive kit combines three bestselling Scent Shield products for total scent elimination. Scent Shield Liquid Body Soap’s unscented formula destroys all types of human odor. Super-concentrated Scent Shield Clothes Wash gently cleans and deodorizes hunting clothing without adding UV brighteners. Finally, Ti4 Scent Elimination adsorbs, neutralizes, oxidizes and prevents odors from coming back. In addition, Scent Shield also offers the incredibly popular Fall Blend, an earth-scented scent eliminator.

Tink’s also offers a line of scent-elimination products. The Tink’s Odor Lock Laundry Soap, Hair & Body Soap and Eliminator Spray all feature NoRoma, which quickly oxidizes odor-causing bacteria. Odor Lock Laundry Soap also works to remove stains from clothing, and the Hair & Body Soap will not dry out your skin. The conveniently sized Eliminator Spray is perfect for packing into the field.

Testing at Rutgers University found Wildlife Research Center’s Scent Killer to be over 99% effective at eliminating replicated human odor. In 2009, Wildlife Research introduced the even more effective Super Charged Scent Killer. Super Charged Scent Killer Spray is completely odorless, works on contact and will keep your hunting clothing scent free for days. A complete Scent Killer system is available for total scent elimination.

Dead Down Wind’s 2009 line showcases the company’s commitment to helping hunters save money, travel lighter and preserve the environment. The Evolve Pac-It Concentrated Field Spray is a highly concentrated version of Dead Down Wind’s ScentPrevent Field Spray. The 3-pack of compact, lightweight pouches makes up to 36 ounces of powerful scent-eliminating field spray while taking up far less room in your pack and producing far less landfill waste.

Primos Silver XP Scent Eliminator utilizes tiny particles of suspended silver in a scent-eliminating solution to eradicate both body odors and non-bacterial odors like smoke. Silver XP Scent Eliminator works on contact and will keep odors from returning to your clothing and equipment for up to 24 hours. The entire Silver XP line includes laundry detergent, bar soap, dryer sheets, field wipes and a variety of other products.

EvadeAG Silver Scent Elimination from Doc’s Deer Scents features medical-grade, non-particulate silver to kill odor-causing bacteria. EvadeAG Silver won’t fade clothing and is safe to use on skin. In fact, Evade’s antibacterial properties mean you can use it to clean your hands and cutlery after field-dressing and to kill germs on minor cuts, burns and abrasions.

Code Blue offers a scent eliminator with a built-in cover scent. EliminX Fresh Earth Scent Eliminator forms a barrier around odor-causing gas molecules to eliminate human odor. This long-lasting odor neutralizer also leaves behind an earth-scented scent so you can blend into your environment without having to buy a separate cover scent.

The improved Scent Stop line from Buck Stop includes Scent Eliminator Laundry Detergent, Scent Eliminator Body Wash and Human Scent Eliminator Spray. Scent Eliminator Laundry Detergent contains no perfumes or brighteners and will wash up to 25 loads of laundry. Scent Eliminator Body Wash creates a barrier
on your skin that prevents odor from returning for several hours, and Human Scent Eliminator Spray is perfect for in-
the-field use.

Gum-O-Flage from Hunting Science is a popular way to eradicate mouth odors. New for 2009 is Gum-O-Flage Alert. Like the original Gum-O-Flage, Gum-O-Flage Alert utilizes anti-microbial agents to kill the bacteria that cause odor. However, Gum-O-Flage Alert also contains caffeine to give you a mid-hunt boost.

TRU-Carbon H₂0 from Natural Predator features activated-carbon in pellet form for the perfect scent-eliminating rinse. Simply dissolve the pellets in two-and-a-half gallons of water and you have the ability to turn any hunting garment into a carbon suit. TRU-Carbon H₂0 saturates clothing with carbon to eliminate odors. Clothing can be re-dipped in TRU-Carbon H₂0 whenever it needs reactivating.

Because SilverScent Pro Gel from SilverScent Products features fine
nano-silver particles, the scent-eliminating molecules do not settle to the bottom of the solution and the gel is supercharged throughout. These tiny nano-silver particles kill bacteria, mold, fungi and yeast by creating a hole in the cell wall of the odor-causing molecules. Yet these fine silver particles are completely safe to use on skin and can even be used on minor injuries to promote healing. Quick-drying SilverScent Gel is perfect for use on even the sweatiest parts of your body and can be used to clean up after field-dressing.

One of the most popular odor-elimination products from Hunter’s Specialties is Scent-A-Way. The Scent-A-Way Scent Elimination System contains everything you’ll need for a scent-free hunt. This kit includes Scent-A-Way Advanced Formula Spray, Laundry Detergent, Liquid Soap, Lip Balm, Anti-Perspirant, Body Foam and the Scent-Safe Storage Bag. The whitetail deer version of the kit includes Fresh Earth Cover Scent Wafers, while the elk version contains Cow Elk Urine Cover Scent Wafers.

SEEMZ Technology has developed T.H.E.E. Krush, a line of advanced scent-elimination products. T.H.E.E. stands for Total Human Element Eliminator, and T.H.E.E. Krush product line includes H202 Laundry Detergent, Hair & Body Wash and T.H.E.E. Krush Original and Earth Element refill systems. T.H.E.E. Krush is available in a spray bottle that continues to spray even when turned upside down for easy, convenient application.

The Scent Strike from Rhino Laboratories is an ideal way to rid your hunting clothing of odors. The Scent Strike consists of a sponge, a clamshell and a special pouch of chlorine dioxide scent-elimination formula. You simply moisten the sponge, remove the pouch of formula from its foil pack, put both in the clamshell and place the clamshell in a bin with your clothing. Moisture from the sponge activates the formula, and within two to four hours your clothing will be scent free.

Electronic Scent Eliminators

An interesting and relatively new scent-elimination subcategory is electronic scent eliminators. These high-tech devices utilize a variety of technologies to eliminate odors, seemingly by magic.

The Ozonics HR-100 provides continuous, in-the-field scent elimination. Using ozone technology, the HR-100 converts ordinary air into a natural deodorizer to create a scent-free blanket between the hunter and game. You simply hang the battery-operated unit about 6-12 inches above you in your stand or blind for a scent-free hunt.

The technology used in the Hunter X Scent Elimination System by PurifyMyHunt.com has been used for years to kill mold, mildew, dust mites and a wide variety of germs and viruses. The Hunter X combines ions with ozone for scent elimination that is 40 times more effective than ozone alone at the same level. Simply leave your gear in a closet or small room with the Hunter X to completely eliminate odors.

The Buck Country Products Oxy Elim-A-Scent Electronic Scent Eliminators emit activated oxygen and negative ions to destroy odor, mold, mildew and pollutants. These handy scent eliminators are available in three sizes. The Micro is perfect for storage totes, ground blinds, closets, trucks and any other area up to 25 square feet. The Pro and Pro Elite models work in areas up to 49 square feet. Finally the Magnum covers an area of up to 270 square feet.

The Xterminator uses activated oxidation plasma—among other top-secret technologies—to shred odor-causing organic compounds into their base atomic elements. Developed with the help of NASA technology, the Xterminator quickly destroys odor at the source. You can create a decontamination chamber for your hunting gear by running the Xterminator in a closet or small room.

Scent-Eliminating Clothing

Once you’ve effectively purged odor from your body, you can remain scent free by dressing in scent-eliminating clothing. These garments are specifically designed for hunting, so they’re comfortable, practical and prevent human scent from reaching your quarry’s nose.

ScentBlocker teamed up with Michael Waddell to bring you the Bone Collector series, a complete line of advanced scent-elimination apparel and boots. The Bone Collector Freak Nasty Jacket and Pant feature ScentBlocker SPF 50 activated carbon with increased carbon loading and S3 antimicrobial technology for total odor control. The Freak Nasty Jacket offers a total of eight zippered pockets, BodyLock collar and waist, a Silent Wrist Ratchet adjustable sleeve cuff system and a safety harness slit in the back for easy attachment and concealment, while the Freak Nasty Pant offers a total of six pockets, BodyLock waist and ankle cuffs and internal rubberized waist with high back, belt loops and tunnels.

The Mossy Oak Drystalker 2 Scent-Stop Parka from Russell Outdoors features a Scent-Stop antimicrobial finish that prevents odors from forming. Longer than a regular jacket, the Drystalker 2 also offers extra-large cargo pockets, sealed seams, a sure-fit hood and a license tag loop.

The new Vertigo system from Scent-Lok blends scent-elimination properties with innovative visual concealment so you can get closer than ever to big game. The Vertigo system cuts the human form into large, asymmetrical shapes that are then filled in with contrasting light and dark Mossy Oak camouflage. The result is a camouflage that breaks up the human form and replicates the natural lights and darks of a tree canopy. Meanwhile, Scent-Lok’s patented activated-carbon eliminates odor, while a weatherproof membrane and a light layer of insulating microfleece keep you comfortable in rainy or chilly weather.

The ScenTote Field Bag is a convenient way to transport hunting clothing into the field. Featuring an activated carbon web adsorber and a scent-proof zipper, the Field Bag protects your clothing from foreign odors. The unique carbon web adsorber utilizes activated carbon suspended in a free air circulation format, so 100 percent of the activated carbon-surface is available to adsorb odor.

Rubber boots are durable, versatile and a staple for many hunters. But they also give off an odor that even humans can detect. Elimitrax solves that problem through the use of new plastics technology. Adjustable leggings and a unique overboot leave no odor or scent trail behind. The Elimitrax Combo Pack also includes a pair of Elimiscent Gloves.

The Stalker Series features Medalist’s SilverMax 99.9% pure silver technology twill lining for scent protection. SilverMax also regulates body temperature, cooling you during warm weather and warming you in cool weather, while the Stay-Dry Skinetics Moisture Transfer System wicks moisture away to keep you warm and dry. The new-for-2009 Stalker Fleece Vest is perfect for mid-range temperatures and moderate activity levels. The Stalker Vest offers three pockets and inside draw cords at the bottom for adjustability.

ASAT Outdoors offers quality hunting clothing in popular ASAT (All Season All Terrain) camouflage. The Elite Extreme Layer Zip Mock is a heavy pullover treated with AG Vaportech Nano Silver Odor Suppression. This nano-silver technology kills odor-causing bacteria and requires no special reactivation process. A number of other garments in ASAT’s Elite Performance Series
feature this scent-eliminating treatment, including the Elite Essential Pant, the Elite Extreme Beanie and the Elite Basic Layer Crew.

You spend a lot of time and money becoming odor free. Wouldn’t it be nice to know that your regimen is actually working? The Black Canyon Instant Alert badge actually detects the presence of human and other odors and alerts you to any scent-control problems. You simply wear the Instant Alert badge on your outermost layer of clothing. The badge detects amino, ammonia, nitrogen and other vapors and changes color as those vapors become more concentrated, letting you know when it’s time to get out of the woods.

Cover Scents

Cover scents are the olfactory version of camouflage. They help you blend into your environment, and familiar scents put game animals at ease.

Looking for an easy-to-use cover scent? Tink’s offers a number of super-strong, long-lasting cover scents in convenient spray bottles. Red Fox-P and Bandit Coon are two very powerful cover scents that have been fooling deer for years. Other cover scents include Earth Scent, Pine Scent, Cedar Scent and Acorn Scent. Cedar and Acorn Scents double as attractants. You can also enhance the effectiveness of your cover scents by using them with the Tink’s Scent Bomb.

Buck Stop’s Masking Scents are available in four effective scents. Pine is perfect for anyone who hunts around any kind of evergreen, while Dirt, with its moist-soil scent, is ideal for use among hardwoods. Acorn and Apple cover human odor while also serving as potent attractants.

Wildlife Research Center offers a number of popular cover scents, including Pine, Sage, Cedar, Earth, Acorn and Apple. Wildlife Red Fox Urine and Coon Urine are also available. For a convenient way to use Wildlife cover scents, look for the Trophy Leaf, a pre-infused scent dispenser. The Trophy Leaf is available in Pine, Earth, Acorn and Red Fox Masking Scents, as well as in a number of Wildlife’s powerful attractants.

Code Blue’s Cedar, Acorn, Fresh Earth and Pine Cover Scents are available in a large, 4-ounce spray bottle for easy application. Also available are Fox Urine Cover Scent and Coon Urine Cover Scent.

Border Crossing Scents offers quality cover scents in an easy-to-apply stick formula. Deer Herd in a Stick and Elk Herd in a Stick serve as both cover and attractant scents, while Earth Cover Scent Stick is an all-season cover scent. Predator hunters will love Coyote in a Stick and Fox in a Stick. Simply apply your scent of choice on your boots, around your blind and on a variety of other surfaces to hide all trace of human odor.

Mrs. Doe Pee’s most popular cover scent is Fresh Doe Urine. The scent of a doe has a calming effect on other deer in the vicinity. Other cover scents from Mrs. Doe Pee’s are also undiluted and extremely potent and include Earth, Cedar, Corn, Apple and Acorn scents.

Team Fitzgerald brings you Deer Dander. Deer Dander overpowers your human scent with the scent of deer, putting whitetails and a variety of other animals at ease. In addition, by preying on the social nature of deer, Deer Dander also works as an attractant.

New this year from Doc’s Deer Scents are Pine Cover Scent and Cedar Cover Scent. These two powerful cover scents join Doc’s Raccoon Cover Scent, Red Fox Cover Scent and Fresh Field Cover Scent, all available in 4-ounce pump bottles for easy application.

Attractant Scents

Attractant scents are a valuable weapon in any bowhunter’s arsenal. We spend so much time trying to evade detection by sensitive noses, it just makes sense to use our target’s powerful sense of smell against them.

The scents in the Scrape Juice Deer Attractant line from Muzzy contain a secret solution originally used by trappers that is irresistible to deer. Bowhunter’s Set-Up is an all-season lure that works on bucks and does of all ages. Dominant Buck features the territorial smell of a rutting buck to act as a potent buck lure.

The golden yellow color of Scent Shield’s Still Steamin’ Premium Hot Doe Estrus Urine is a testament to the urine’s freshness. Each bottle of Premium Hot Doe Estrus contains urine from a single estrous doe and is sealed immediately after collection to prevent contamination, so it is fresh and effective when you need it.

Scorpion Venom Archery is known for its high quality archery lubricants. For 2009, the chemist owners of Scorpion Venom have developed a new whitetail attractant. Dab-A-Deer is a long-lasting, water-resistant attractant in stick form. To use, twist the bottom of the tube and apply Dab-A-Deer to a drag cloth and several places upwind of your stand to create a scent trail. This new lure is both easy to use and mess-free.

If you can’t get enough of hog hunting, you’re certainly not alone. Tink’s recognizes the unique challenges of getting close to these wily animals and offers two powerful lures to increase your chances of bringing home the bacon. Power Pig Dominant Boar Urine evokes a territorial response in trophy boars, while Power Pig Sow-In-Heat will have even the smartest boar completely lovestruck.

A great buck lure that works pre-rut, during the rut and post-rut is Mrs. Doe Pee’s bestselling Doe in Estrus Special Blend. To create this potent lure, Mrs. Doe Pee’s collects estrous urine at the peak of the rut, keeps it fresh in their patented freeze-dried state and then blends it with fresh doe urine for a combination bucks cannot resist. The 2-ounce nasal spray bottle allows you to dispense this attractant in three ways. First, lay down a scent trail by holding the bottle upside down and dripping Doe in Estrus as you walk. Second, squirt Doe in Estrus on a drag rag and let the bucks follow the trail in. And third, mist Doe in Estrus on foliage where you want the buck to stop or let the wind carry the scent to bring the bucks to you. Also, use Mrs. Doe Pee’s Continuous Scrape Set to bring the neighborhood bucks to your hunting area. Begin the program in August or September and continue through the hunting season. Instructions for use are included with Continuous Scrape Set.

S&P Scents introduces the Grizzly line of whitetail and elk attractants. New preservation technology results in reduced ammonia, better color and better performance in the field. The Grizzly line includes fresh Doe in Cycle, Doe Urine, Buck Urine, Scrape Mix and Elk Estrus.

Buck Stop Lure developed two powerful new attractants for 2009. The first is Premium Five, a special blend of rutting buck urine, doe-in-heat urine, a calming ingredient, a curiosity link and a secret ingredient that enhances the effectiveness of the blend. Alure is less concentrated than Premium Five and includes rutting buck urine, doe-in-heat urines and additional ingredients to calm and attract deer. Alure is offered at a price that hunters are sure to love.

Want to get really close? Try Code Blue’s new PST Aerosol Spray Scents. You can use this new line of 100-percent natural urine scents to create a scent trail to your stand or you can set the can on the ground and depress the Pressure Sensitive Tab until it locks to empty the entire can around your stand. The PST line includes whitetail, elk, moose, bear and hog scents.

Buck Bomb offers a full line of attractant and cover scents. The unique Buck Bomb nozzle releases fine particulates that travel a significant distance, leaving a natural scent trail back to your stand. New for 2009 is the Bone Collector Series Buck Bomb with Scent Protect Technology. Scent Protect Technology prevents bacterial growth, provides protection from high temperatures and protects the critical proteins that make up scent. With Scent Protect Technology, you know your urine is as fresh as the day it was collected.

Trail’s End #307 is a superior buck
lure from Wildlife Research Center. This highly effective attractant brings together a number of natural ingredients that have been proven to work on wild whitetails in the field. Trail’s End works all season but is particularly powerful during the pre-rut and rut.

James Valley Scents offers Lethal Weapon Premium Buck Lure Gel, an attractant that combines estrous urine with the glands and secretions that bucks can’t resist. The economical gel formula adheres to branches and other surfaces and evaporates more slowly than liquid scents.

All-weather Hott Shot from A-Way Hunting is a water-resistant, stick-to-nearly-anything, cold-weather-tolerant estrous attractant. The thick gel-like formula lasts for days in the field and can be expelled up to 30 feet away to decrease the possibility of leaving behind game-spooking odor. Hott Shot includes fresh estrous urine collected at the peak of a doe’s cycle.

Hot-N-Ready XXX from Black Widow Lures is collected from does at the peak of the estrous cycle for a super-hot attractant. Black Widow actually offers its lures under two labels—Gold Label lures, which are collected exclusively from Northern whitetails, and Red Label lures, which are collected from Southern whitetails—to ensure that your attractants fit into your hunting environment.

Primos Deep DropIn’s are perfect for activating or creating scrapes. Primos’ Truth Serum Estrus Doe and Buck Urines are combined in these natural-looking, scent-dispersing pellets. Deer DropIn’s are rejuvenated by moisture and last for 30 to 45 days in the field.

Deer Quest offers a wide range of attractant scents in sticks that resemble
sticks of incense. Like incense, Deer Sense sticks smoke and give off odor for long periods of time. To use, you push a stick into the ground, light it, let it burn for several seconds, blow out the flame and then cover the stick with Deer Quest’s lightweight collapsible bucket. Deer Sense sticks are available in a number of scents to attract whitetail deer, elk, moose, bear and hogs.

Deer love soybeans, and now you can use that against them. Weaver’s Scent Company offers Soybean Scent with Deer Musk. This lure blends the scent of a favorite tasty treat with deer musk for an all-season attractant.

Scent Dispensers

Once you’ve chosen an attractant scent, you’ll want to look at scent dispensers. These clever devices help broadcast scent further, bringing far-ranging animals within bow range.

Doc’s Deer Scents teamed up with Mace Security International, a company known for its personal protection products, to produce the Sportsman Scent System. The Scent System is comprised of a water-gun-like device and a cartridge containing Doc’s Sweet Demise #7 Liquid Attractant. The Scent System gun features
a range of up to 25 feet so you can lay scent trails without laying down human scent. Refill cartridges are also available in Doc’s Dominant Buck Urine, Doe In Season Urine and Acorn Scent Attractant.

New from Wildlife Research is the Magnum Scrape Dripper. The Magnum Scrape Dripper operates for two to three weeks on 4 ounces of fluid. Because it drips scent only during the day, this innovative new dispenser conditions bucks to visit a scrape during hunting hours. The Magnum Scrape Dripper gradually intensifies scent output and normally shuts off in rain or bad weather to save scent.

The Tink’s #69 Doe-In-Rut Hot Bomb is an air-activated, heated lure dispenser. The Hot Bomb features a pre-loaded scent pad which emits Tink’s Original Formula #69 Doe-In-Rut Buck Lure. A heat pouch warms the scent pad when exposed to air to attract deer like a magnet. This heated lure works especially well in cold and freezing weather and will last up to four hours.

The Wick Stik from Pine Ridge Archery can be used in three different ways. Once saturated with your favorite scent, the Wick Stik can be dragged to create a scent trail, hung from a tree to bring bucks in or staked in the ground when a tree branch is not available. The high quality Wick Stik also makes a great yardage marker.

Hunters know that using scent with their decoys increases their chances of success. Real Scent has developed an easy and convenient way for hunters to make their decoys more attractive. The Real Scent Decoy Pack contains two felt-lined, Velcro-backed canisters. You simply add scent to the canister, wrap the supplied Velcro around your decoy’s leg and attach the canister. When you’re finished hunting, remove the canister for a scent-free, easy-to-store decoy. Real Scent’s Doe and Buck Decoy Scents make your decoy setup irresistible.

Lightweight, durable and fully programmable, The BuckMister is a highly effective scent-dispersal system utilizing
attractive Buck Bomb scents. The BuckMister allows you to program the exact date, time, duration and increment at which scent is dispersed. Because The BuckMister will only spray scent when it is programmed to, there is no waste and you can train deer to visit your hunting site when you want them to.

Code Blue’s Temptation Electronic Scent Warmer heats scent to a deer’s natural body temperature to fool even the wariest bucks. Hung from a tree limb or set on the ground, the Temptation sends out far-ranging, fresher-smelling scent vapors. Used with Code Blue’s Whitetail Doe Estrous, the Temptation will fool any buck into believing there is an estrous doe in the area. The Temptation operates on four AA batteries.

The Stink Stick from Scent Sticks is comprised of a fiberglass wick in a leak-proof plastic tube. You simply add your scent of choice to the wick and then, once you’ve reached your hunting site, open the bottom part of the tube to disperse the scent. The quality fiberglass wick won’t stiffen up or deteriorate like cotton or felt wicks. Great for use as yardage markers, the Stink Sticks are available in green, brown, orange and glow-in-the-dark, as well as in two sizes, original and magnum.

If you use scented candles to freshen your home or office, you know how effectively they spread scent. Why not use the same principle when hunting? The scent from Hot Trails’ Scented Hunting Candles can drift up to 500 yards away. Used with the Hot Trails Mini Lantern, these candles will burn safely for up to five hours. Hot Trails scented candles are available in a wide variety of scents, including Doe in Heat, Dominant Buck, White Oak Acorn, Persimmon, Cinnamon for Bears, Coyote and Fox Attractant, Earth, Elk and more.

The ThermaSCENT device from ThermaCELL heats scents to extend their range. An absorbent pad is saturated with scent and placed on the ThermaSCENT platform. As the device heats up, the scent evaporates and disperses widely. The ThermaSCENT device is small, cordless, easy-to-use and, because there is no open flame, safe to use in the woods.

The Buck Bomb Fuse features a 12-inch-long wick that rolls up inside its own leak-proof canister. You can spray your favorite Buck Bomb scent directly onto the wick or into the canister. A hanger cord allows you to hang it from a branch near your hunting site. When you’re finished hunting, you just roll the wick back into the canister to preserve your scent for next time. Neat and compact, the Fuse makes the perfect companion for any Buck Bomb scent.

New for 2009 is the Piney Holler BuckFogger. This scent-dispersal system transforms specially formulated scents into a far-ranging fog. Because the scent is oil-based, it clings to foliage, trees and branches in its fog-like state, creating a powerful scent trail. You’ll also be able to see where your scent drifts so you can make adjustments to your setup as needed. Multiple scent formulas are available for deer, elk, bear and predators.

The Munson Manufacturing Scent Trap is a leak-proof, easy-to-load liquid scent container with an integrated wick. When open, the Scent Trap releases the scent of your choice. When closed, it’s compact, convenient and mess-free. The Scent Trap features a built-in hook for quick set up.

Get Super Close

Your chances of bowhunting success go up substantially the closer you get to your quarry. The best of these scent and scent-elimination products will help you get bowhunting-close. Buy a few and experiment with them. They just might make the difference between going home empty-handed or filling the freezer with tasty whitetail venison.

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