This type of thread is sure to spark a big debate, it always does.
Let me first state that there is absolutely no way to 100% eliminate human or other odors that we carry on our bodies. Yes it would appear at times that you have done so. There are companies that make millions selling such products. Yes I also fell for it at one time. These days I use no scent remover or any other product to eliminate my odor. Now I’m not saying I don’t use scent free, deodorant and laundry soap, because I do. However it’s not for the reason most might think. It’s because they make me sneeze and itch! Michelle still uses scented products.
That said I do believe that some products can help in areas where animals constantly come in contact with human odor. In Texas for example most of our state is heavily populated. People walk their dogs, jog, farmers in the field, oil field workers etc. So it is not unusual for animals to cross human odor. I believe they learn to tell how long ago it was made and whether or not it’s acceptable to tolerate it. I also believe that some products may help to trick them into thinking you have been and gone. Trust me though most know you were there.
We as hunters tend to think inside the box, a one size fits all if you will. That’s not reality.
The reality is MOST coyotes have a highly developed sense of smell, as do hogs and deer. However there are many factors that affect how they react, in fact too many to list.
To start with No two animals have identical scenting capabilities. Take a prize litter of hound pups out of world class parents with an extraordinary sense of smell. You think all the pups in the litter will inherit this? NO some will and some will not. Then there are other factors that come into play as well. Say they all have an awesome sense of smell equal. Not all will be intelligent. Some will have the ability to discern immediately what they are smelling and some will not. Then you have as many personalities as there are in humans. You will have aggressive, passive, and timid to mention a few. Aggressive animals may smell you and decide to stand their ground. Passive may smell you and not care just ease away and timid may turn themselves inside out trying to leave. Now factor in conditioned response {educated} and the game changes even more.
Now you have to consider the wind. Sure it may be blowing from the south at 20 mph where you are sitting. But what is it doing 20 feet, yards, miles from you? I have two great examples of this from just that last two weeks.
I have a tripod set up for bow hunting on a major intersection. Problem is I can only hunt it with a North West wind. Well in Texas, the wind usually blows from the South. I pondered this set up for a few years now and decided to place another tripod on the North side of the trail. Problem is most of the animal’s bed just below the rim of the trail, downwind of my new stand. The first time I sat there I had 3 deer and a hog walk directly under me from downwind. How did this happen? I was in my work clothes after working all day {except for camo shirt}. I was by no means scent free. The tripod is on the edge of a huge drop off of which is lined with trees. My scent never makes it down to where the animals are bedded. It has a ramp effect right at my stand.
Second case was Wednesday as I hunted with 4 EOTech guys. We were using thermal devices to spot hogs and kill them. We spotted a group about a mile away, but our wind was wrong. By the time we got into position the hogs had dropped off in the river bottom. I told the guys I would call them back out into the open. They all said they are straight down wind of us. I told them it should work anyway and it did! They couldn’t believe it. For one thing three of them didn’t believe you could call a hog and the wind appeared to be wrong. After it was all over I showed them why they didn’t get our wind. I kicked the dirt sending a cloud of dust straight downwind of us for about 20 yards then as if by magic it took a hard left turn. You see when the wind hits the river it changes send a current the other direction. Had I not known the lay of the land I would have just given up because the wind was wrong.
As stated I just don’t buy into completely fooling their noses. There are times when you may think you have by using some fancy product. Most of the time though there are things in play you haven’t considered or weren’t aware of. By all means if it gives you the confidence to be successful, use it. I myself work and hunt on the same day. Most of the time I don’t have time for a bath in between, nor do I have the money for all the gizmos, gadgets and spray.
Just my .02
