Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials. |
The hunting gimmicks vs. useful gear thread |
Post Reply | Page 123 10> |
Author | ||
RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: January/14/2011 at 10:43 |
|
I've been thinking about this discussion for awhile, and thought it would be helpful to all us hunters if we could compare notes on all the various gadgets and random "stuff" that vendors claim is THE answer for bagging that trophy buck/bull/bruin/boar/tom. I'm an admitted gadget guy, and I'll try lots of things once, but I have to admit that I've found most hunting gadgets touted to be the best things since the invention of the wheel outside of the essentials like a good rifle, good optics, good boots, and good clothes have left me very underwhelmed. So, here's the thread to talk about the stuff that works and doesn't work, the truly useful and the ripoffs in calls, decoys, scents, scent elimination products, blood trailing lights, etc., etc., etc.
I would like to start this thread by discussing estrous ("doe in heat") deer scents.
I've tried pretty much every major brand and form of estrous scents available today, and I've NEVER seen conclusive evidence that they really work. I've hung wafers, sprayed atomized clouds of stink, dragged scent impregnated rags, squirted smelly liquids and gels on branches... and I've never accomplished anything from my efforts other than wasting money and making everything around me, my clothes, and my gear stink like hell!
Deer (and most other game animals) are very scent-oriented. They rely on their sense of smell for food, avoiding danger, and reproduction. So, it seems logical to me that these estrous scents SHOULD work during the stages of the rut.
The fact remains, however, that despite YEARS of extensive use, they never have worked for me. Nor have I ever talked to anyone not affiliated with an advertisement or endorsement tell me that they've positively witnessed these scents work. By "work," I don't mean a buck walked out, happened to walk by the scent and sniffed it out of curiosity, causing him to pause momentarily; I mean a buck came trotting in directly toward the source of the scent, obviously attracted to it.
There are several suppliers that advertise their estrous scents come direcly from live does. It would seem that if this is indeed true, they should work. So, I'm not sure why I've never had any success with them.
I did an experiment 2 years ago. I applied some of the "100% natural, from the source" scent to a tree limb at chest height along a well-traveled deer trail right in front of one of my game cameras. I was wearing rubber boots and made sure that I did not actually touch anything in the area so I wouldn't contaminate the site with my scent. The timing was in the peak of the rut, which in my area is right before and after Thanksgiving. I retrieved my camera card 2 weeks later and saw no increased buck activity. None of the bucks in my pics showed any noticeable interest in the estrous-scented limb whatsoever, or if they did, it happened during the delay between pics.
On multiple occasions during the rut, I've witnessed bucks even walk right past (within a few feet of) the scent locations, and not one of them has paid any attention to it beyond casually sniffing it and moving on.
I don't know what to make of this, so my theory is that there is some component (pheromone perhaps) of the scent beyond the stink itself that must be lost when it isn't fresh. Maybe these scents are too contaminated with other agents that they no longer smell like a doe in heat to a buck. Perhaps there is some element to a doe's estrous scent that is unique to the region they live or is affected by their diet. Or, maybe the suppliers are just putting some random stinky liquid in a bottle and telling us hunters that this is what a doe in heat smells like.
I'm open-minded enough to accept that maybe some of these scents work some of the time under some conditions and for whatever reason(s), these conditions have just never been right during the times I've used them. Heck, I saw a video once of a buck attacking a hunter that supposedly had spilled some estrous scent on him. Who knows if that was the real reason for the attack.
So... lets hear it. Any of you folks ever had any luck with any of these attractant scents?
Edited by Chris Farris - September/16/2014 at 14:01 |
||
Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
||
SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
i have seen similar results with store bought stuff, nothing. i have however used fresh, harvested the day before stuff and seen a few smaller bucks jump on a drag line i used it on within 30-45 min period of running it. |
||
lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I'm with you Ted on the scents, I've actually found that at times these scents steer deer away. Carbon Suits are another big fallacy and much of it has lead to numerous law suits.
|
||
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
|
||
Bigdaddy0381
MODERATOR Georgia peach Joined: February/27/2007 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 13682 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I have seen deer actually notice attractant scents twice. one was a small doe and the other was a 3 pointer. Both was tinks 69. I have used many many bottles of it.
|
||
P&Z Firearms , Pro gun cleanings and gun repair and wood refinishing.
Ecclesiastes 10:2 |
||
RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
By "notice," do you mean the buck came running toward it, obviously excited by it, or the deer just curiously sniffed it the same as they might if you'd dumped out a chocolate sundae there?
|
||
Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
||
lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
One of my favorite gadgets is the shoot and see targets, even though they're alittle pricey, they sure make detecting bullet holes much easier. |
||
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
|
||
Bigdaddy0381
MODERATOR Georgia peach Joined: February/27/2007 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 13682 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
when i noticed him he had his nose up in the air licking his chops. I'm guessing it brought him in. the doe she just snorted at it as she walked by. i think it has to do with how many doe and how much the buck has got his arsie kick for mounting another bucks doe. If you get cocked block a few times anything smells good.
|
||
P&Z Firearms , Pro gun cleanings and gun repair and wood refinishing.
Ecclesiastes 10:2 |
||
SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
roflmao!
|
||
jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Don't you know you're supposed to use a ghilly suit soaked in estrus?
|
||
Reaction time is a factor...
|
||
lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Ancient Chinese secret.
|
||
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
|
||
300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Killed my 1st buck with a bow over a mock scrape scented with Dr. O's. Anyone remember it?
As far as a cover scent I use red fox urine bought at trapping supply stores. I've kept all my outer hunting clothes and boots in a big plastic tote with an open qt bottle for yrs. Every yr something happens that further proves to me that it keeps deer calm and actually attracts them. This yr I watched a small buck follow my trial to the tree I was in. Sniffed around a bit and even sniffed the tree. Went to browzing then bedded down for a good while.
|
||
"I ain't got time to bleed!"
|
||
300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
GOOD idea,Ted. This should be a fun thread. I'll have think on some gadgets that I've used.
|
||
"I ain't got time to bleed!"
|
||
3_tens
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/08/2007 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 7853 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I tried an experiment with popcorn once during Archery season several years ago. I popped a garbage bag full of unsalted pop corn and trailed it all the way to may stand. About 20 min. after sunrise I had a covey of quail follow it in. About 20 minutes later a large coon came in and started to munch. He didn't stay very long and left. Then the squirrels came. Lots of squirrels. The coon was gone about 45 minutes then came back with another big coon and 4 smaller ones. The frenzy is on. The squirrels didn't like the coons and a lot of racket ensued. This drew in the crows. Must have been about 20 of them. Squirrels don't like crows either. Now the squirrels are chasing the crows from tree to tree. Barking at the coons as the pass to chase the crows out of the next tree. It was one of the more exciting days spent in the woods. Problem was there was so much noise I never saw any sign of a deer. Popcorn has now been crossed off my list of possable attractants.
|
||
Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.
Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow Now the rules have changed again. |
||
300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
And how long did it take to pop all that corn?
Unsalted to! Who says hunters don't care about the wildlife?
|
||
"I ain't got time to bleed!"
|
||
budperm
Optics Retard show me your sheep!! Joined: January/01/2009 Location: Pennsylvania Status: Offline Points: 31710 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Possible deer attractant, sounds like it makes for great varmint attractant!
|
||
"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".
--Thomas Jefferson |
||
Bigdaddy0381
MODERATOR Georgia peach Joined: February/27/2007 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 13682 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I did that with HAY one time at a bar out in the middle of now where. it was all fun and games till the 900 pound round bale got ate up. I did meet this nice girl who wanted me to milk her. never figured out what she was talking about. Oh well still good times. Oh it was a hunting trip too!
Edited by Bigdaddy0381 - January/14/2011 at 12:10 |
||
P&Z Firearms , Pro gun cleanings and gun repair and wood refinishing.
Ecclesiastes 10:2 |
||
300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Wyoming Knife
Years back I bought one for myself and then got one for a friend for Christmas. I never even tried mine (kept grabbing my ol'Case folder). My friend got real good with his. Anyone else try 'em?
I do have one of the small Wyoming saws that I use. Nice!
|
||
"I ain't got time to bleed!"
|
||
Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Most entrenched gimmick:
Gulp ... camoflauge. I don't think the camo hunter has any real advantage over the non-camo. Every year I end up getting super close to some game animal with a bright orange vest on. If I'm not moving, they don't see me. Game was taken for centuries before camo. I still buy it and wear it, it is part of the hunting culture now. Best gear you'd think would be a gimmick: Havalon Piranta Z knifes. A folding clip knife handle that takes #60 scalpel blades. One gets dull, pop on another. No sharpening in the field, no sharpener in your pack. I just bone out my elk "Alaskan-style" and save myself packing a saw as well. |
||
-Matt
|
||
feklar
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/28/2007 Status: Offline Points: 86 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
On Tink's etc, I've used bottles and bottles of it and never saw a single thing that made me think it "worked."
I cut the glands off a hot doe once and hung it in a tree 30 yards from my stand. I had 2 small bucks come running from downwind grunting like pigs. That was one time, never to repeat itself.
Other gimmicks:
"Camo orange" and UV spray!
|
||
Terry Lamb
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/19/2009 Location: Sagle, Idaho Status: Offline Points: 150 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Wahoo! A great thread idea!
For the last five seasons I have used a large variety of "estrous" scents, and have yet to see any whitetail pay any attention casually, much less seem to be "attracted" by them. Not once.
During the same five seasons I have used the little Primos can calls during rut peak, and five years in a row have called in and taken bucks. Three out of five came in at a trot, and the other two just walked in to find the doe. In deer talk, the cans evidently make a noise akin to "oh, hurry big boy, I don't know if I can wait any longer..."
These simple little devices have been amazing, and don't smell up your pockets either!
|
||
Terry Lamb
|
||
Post Reply | Page 123 10> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |