Scent Elimination
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Mike from MI asks:Really enjoyed your video on hunting ditches and swirling winds. I hunt a stand that sits at the bottom of a very steep ditch that comes off a corn field and leads down towards a river. I access from the river up to the base of the ditch where my stand is. Most activity is at the very top of the ditch where it evens out but unfortunately I am unable to hunt that land. The terrain is much flatter at the base where I hunt but still wondering if I've placed myself in a pocket of swirling wind and wanted your take. I rarley get busted but some of the local bruisers might be busting me silently. Thanks!Winke Responds:Mike, I would say the wind is swirling there. I would have to see it to know for sure, but it definitely sounds like a spot where swirling occurs. The top of the ditch is almost always the best for a number of reasons, but since you can't hunt there, you are stuck. I would carry some mikweed seeds and drop them occassionally to see where they blow. I bet you will be surprised. Good luck. (4-6-12)
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Mike from IA asks:Last season I had trouble with wind swirling even when I was a good distance from the hill the wind was blowing over. Do you know how far approx. you have to be from a hill or ridge (30/40 ft high) the wind is blowing over, without causing all the swiring? Thank you for your time.Winke Responds:Mike, I am not sure on that. I guess it will continue to swirl for at least 100 yards, maybe a bit less. That is just a guess on my part. I haven't actually tested that. Anytime you are downwind of something that blocks the wind (even a good ways downwind), you will have swirling and turbulence - especially when the wind gusts. Good luck. (4-3-12)
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James from MN asks:Hi Bill, I have seen you say several times that it is very hard to keep garmets of clothing clean once you touch them. You're saying the scent free soap doesn't clean all that stuff out. I have a hard time believing you only because I hope its not true. If that were the case, then every article of clothing you buy has been handled in the factory, in the store and when you first buy it with out scent free gloves on. So the garmets are tainted right from the beginning. Is that why you say we can never be completely scent free? Not trying to be negative or arguementative, just hopin' there is a soap out there that will clean that stuff out of the clothes or it doesn't make a lot of sense to buy the expensive scent free clothing it its already not scent free before you even buy it...Winke Responds:James, I feel confident that I am right - at least some of the fouling odors can't be easily removed with washing. Probably some can, but certainly not all. If it is sometimes impossible to get a stain out of clothing, why would it seem so impossible that it is sometimes impossible to get an odor out? Both are organic compounds. I don't think most new garments get tons of handling before they arrive at the store - most are in plastic bags, but why would you ever buy a "scent free" garment that is hanging on a rack in the store for everyone to handle? I never would. Buy one that is still bagged. Garments with lots of pores and lots of surface area (like a fleece for example) are the worst. The odor molecules have so many places to attach and hide. There is a new washing machine add-on product on the market right now called Pure Wash that I am testing. It might make a difference. The P.R. person that sent it to me said that you don't need detergent and it works fine with cold water. It uses a process of oxidation and ozone to create a water chemistry that attacks organic compounds (odors) chemically rather than mechanically. I am not sure yet how well it works. I still need to do some more testing. It is a good concept though. Take one of your old polyester long undershirts. Smell the armpit. Does it smell? Wash it a few times and dry it and then smell it again. Still smell? I bet it does. Polyester also has a lot of pores where the odors can stick and hide. Not sure exactly how that relates to your buying practices, but yea, I think it is an issue. Good luck. (3-29-12)
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Ken from WI asks:Hi Bill! I was just wondering what the current status is regarding the new Winke containment suit that you are working with at Cabelas? Thanks for expertise and helping fellow bowhunters! KenWinke Responds:Ken, I just spoke with the head of their apparrel dept. yesterday and it will be in the fall catalog. I am not sure when those come out, probably late summer? Thanks and good luck. (3-29-12)
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Chris from IL asks:Mr. Winke, I want to thank you for such an amazing show/website. I have been following you since Oct. of 2011 and I check it DAILY. Since keeping up to date with you and your crew I have decided to change the way I hunt. You have shed light and direction on things I have never thought about. My question for you is about scent control. My routine is when I get back from a hunting trip I wash my clothes in H.S. Scent wash, I then dry them in the dryer with H.S. Earth Scent dryer sheets and store them in air tight totes with H.S. Earth Scent wafers. Is this good, bad, or could it be better?Winke Responds:Chris, Awesome. Thanks so much for your support. I think in theory your system sounds good. I would do a test if possible sometime. Place an one of those wafers upwind of a trail near your stand and watch how the deer react to the odor when they pass through the scent stream. I am not sure about it since I have not tried that product in many years. If they ignore it you are golden. If they react to it with more than passing curiosity, you may want to leave out the cover scent. Also, once clothing is contaminated, it is very, very hard to ever wash it out. That is misconception people have. They think they can just wash the garment and they are good to go again. Not so. Over time, all clothing gets fouled too much that it can not be cleaned. The only option then might be ozone or something like that. Not sure as I have not tried that yet. Point is, normal washing won't keep your clothing from gaining odors that offend deer. I know it for a fact. Good luck. (3-29-12)
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Randy from WI asks:Hi Bill, love your site and alway's enjoyed reading your articles. Here's my question. My brother and I hunt the same stand's and we alway's try to be scent conscious. He take's his coffee with him up in the stand. My thinking is if your goona go thru all the fuss of staying scent free, why bring coffe with you? What's your thinking on this subject. Thank's and keep up the good work! RandyWinke Responds:Randy, I think as long as he takes a coffee break and then puts it away, no big deal. I wouldn't leave the coffee cup sitting out for long though as that would certainly be a foreign odor. Not sure exactly how deer would react to coffee odor. Also, if they can smell the coffee, they are likely close enough to smell the hint of human odor you still have left on your person (it is really hard to get rid of 100% of your odor) so it may not be a big issue anyway. I would just say to have a nice coffee break and then put it away. Best regards (3-27-12)
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Joey from FL asks:hi Bill, great show, hope you continue this show online for many years to come as i am a grad student and its great to have a first class show that I don't have to subscribe to a channel for... Scent control.. you mentioned that you use Sport Wash,i've used it, good stuff, but do you use just the regular ol white bottle with the orange on it that i can pick up at walmart, or do you use a special or more advanced formula? thanks, lets get andrew a turkey this year ! good luck and thanks for all your hard work! JoeyWinke Responds:Joey, Thanks. We don't plan to go anywhere. I just use the regular Sport Wash that you can get anywhere. I hunted with the owner of that company many years ago and he went over the science on the product and it made a ton of sense. The kids will get after those old gobblers. Have a great day. (3-26-12)
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ryan from MN asks:i recently have been looking into carbon products for scent control like carbon synergy. I looked up carbon and found "coal" in the definition which left me with a question. can i crush charcoal and use that. if they are not the same can you explain their differences. thank you love the show!Winke Responds:Ryan, I think the manufacturers use a certain type of charcoal. Not sure what "activated" means, but maybe you can look up how to "activate charcoal" and see where that leads you. In theory, yes, you can but in practice it may not work well. Charcoal may also have additives to make it burn better or stick together so be sure you aren't actually adding additional odors that way. Worth more research I would say. Good luck. (3-15-12)
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Brian from MI asks:Hi Bill, thanks for the great shows, I apologize if you addressed this question already and I missed your response but what are your thoughts on the HECS body suit?Winke Responds:Brian, I have one here but I have not tried it yet. I guess it makes sense on some levels and I like the guys who are selling it; I just haven't tried it yet. Also, I don't think I have a lot of issues beating a deer's sixth sense, but maybe that is just because I don't realize that I do. It is a complex web. There are just so many variables in why deer become alert that it would be very, very hard to truly evaluate this suit in a purely unbiased way. At least it would be for the way I hunt. Definitely worth more exploration at some point. Best regards. (3-15-12)
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Jake from WI asks:Bill, How much downwind clearance do you hope for with your setups? We'd all like to have a perfect funnel that has has a huge lake on each side so the wind could blow our scent out over the lake where deer can't travel but there are very few stand sites like that. I know it will vary with scenting conditions and level of scent control but I'm looking for a general rule of thumb. If I have a known travel route 200 yards downwind is that far enough? 500 yards? More? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks for a great show and website.Winke Responds:Jake, I think if you are doing all you can to decrease your scent then 200 to 300 yards is probably a good number. I think otherwise it is more than 400 yards. Possibly you can reduce it further, but no scent control is ever 100% so at best you are just trying to reduce the distance at which they can get enough of your odor to trigger. That also brings up another good point: each deer is different. I am not sure if they are different in their physiology, but some definitely are more sensitive to human odor than others. Those are just a few rule of thumb numbers you can consider. As you stated, local wind flow (such as updrafts and swirling, etc. will also affect this distance greatly. Good luck. (3-15-12)
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joshua from OH asks:Just how important is using sent control? I've been using quite a lot of scent-away the past two years and have never had a deer up wind that didnt' smell me. Could you give me some tipes or reamend a better product?Winke Responds:Joshua, That product is only part of the solution. To answer your question, I think if you do things right, you can beat most of the deer most of the time, but not all of the deer all of the time. Doing things right includes keeping your clothing super clean. I use Sport Wash because it leaves less detergent residue and I hang my outerwear dry outside rather than putting them in the dryer. I also don't put the outerwear on until I get out of the truck and get ready to walk, same for my boots. Finally, spray down at this point. I don't carry a pack because that is just one more thing that can smell. I try to keep my gear to the absolute minimum because everything you add is one more thing that deer can smell. Of course, you need to keep your underwear layers clean too. There is a lot more to it than that. There is a lot of science and experience too, but to really get into this I would need to write a book. You can get away with a lot if you do it right. Again, I could spend a lot of time talking about what "right" is. You can get pretty creative on that. Good luck. (2-26-12)
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Joe from MD asks:Many knee high rubber boots are now insulated with neoprene. They advertise being scent free; however, I know when you perspire neoprene smells incredibly bad. How can these boots still be considered scent free? What knee high rubber boots do you suggest that are quality scent free boots? Thank you for your suggestions in advanceWinke Responds:Joe, The only ones that seemed to be really scent free to me were made of PVC. I suppose the real question is not whether they are scent free, but if if they are offensive to the deer. I am not sure on that. I always feel that if I can smell it, the deer can definitely smell it. I think if you leave the rubber boots out in the sun for a few days, the most volatile surface coatings will evaporate. I think that plus spraying them down with a good scent eliminator spray is the best hope for rubber boots. Good luck. (1-23-12)
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Brian from ME asks:In your opinion what is the best strategy for scent elimination when walking to a stand location? Recently I had a giant 5x5 walking right for my stand and looked like a shot at less than 20 yards was inevitable, instead he hit my scent from walking in at 35 yards and bolted. I had not observed deer using the path he took, and thus determined my route to the stand accordingly. I usually spray my boots completely before traveling to the property and again after putting them on. The path I took was over a dormant alfalfa field so I'm thinking not much more the the sole of my boot made contact. Will you be attending the Big Buck Classic in Omaha at the end of this month.Winke Responds:Brian, The very best strategy I have found is to wear PVC waders. They aren't very warm so you end up having to swap out to other boots at the tree, but they definitely contain the scent. I think the scent falls off your clothing and also out of your boots (especially rubber) when you walk that is why they can smell you on the bare ground. Yours was kind of an extreme case though. That buck must have been hyper sensitive. The second best strategy is to wear a set of Elimitrax booties and leggings. They do a good job too of holding in scent. We will not be going to the Omaha show this year. Possibly next year. Good luck. (1-23-12)
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Greg from WI asks:Bill: What steps did you take structurally (windows, door, seams, ect), to make your 2 story ground blind scent free? Does this allow you to hunt any wind with it? What do you believe is the best scent free/scent tight hunting blind on the market today? Thanks. Hope you knock down the Double G4 buck! GregWinke Responds:Greg, It is nearly scent tight. When we close all the windows deer downwind may raise their noses but they don't usually spook and eventually they go back to eating. The blind is 6 X 6 feet and about 11 feet tall. There is corner cut out of the upstairs floor and a couple of steps to climb up there. The upstairs has four windows (one per side) that are roughly 3 feet wide and 9 inches tall. The windows are outlined in weather stripping and made of plexiglass with a lot of bent nails holding the glass against the stripping. The windows also have hinges and fold downward. The plexiglass is actually clear enough that we film right through it. All the footage from the blind was shot through the glass. That allows us to keep them closed for better scent retention. I suspect we will have to replace the upstairs plexiglass next year to make sure we have crystal-clear glass for filming. The downstairs has 10 windows (most are 15 inches tall by 8 inches wide). Again, all are covered with plexiglass. I keep them closed until the buck I am after shows up and then open just one to keep scent from blowing out. Overall, it works quite well. I have not tried many (just one) manufactured blinds so I don't have an opinion on which is best at containing odors. Thanks for the support. (1-4-12)
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Joe from ME asks:Hey Bill, Love the web site. I check in every night for something new. Helps me unwind. Like you I'm skeptical when it comes to scent eliminating clothing. I've tried several but noticed that none of them can pass the gass pass test. Depending on what the wife prepared for dinner the previous night, I frequently have gass on stand and have no problem detecting it through the suit. If I can smell it I'm sure the deer can along with any other scent from my body. My question is: Can your suit pass the gas test?Winke Responds:Joe, Yes, it will. We actually snap ammonia capsules inside the membranes we intend to test and see how long it takes for the ammonia odor to get out. You would be surprised how powerful that is and how long you can lock that up inside even a breathable membrane if you select the right membrane. It comes down to pore size in the membrane. Like a screen - let the water vapor molecules out but hold the scent molecules inside. The biggest risk is not what is inside the suit - I am not worried about that, but how you handle it. Once contaminated it is very hard to ever get it truly clean again. Even when you wash them regularly, over time the deer actually start smelling the garment itself. There are many tradeoffs in this that I am not going to bore you with, but the bottom line is that you need to be very, very careful with the suit itself. It will contain odors but if the suit stinks even a bit it isn't going to be as effective. There is no question it works. Good luck. Merry Christmas. (12-23-11)
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David from MI asks:Howdy, I am an avid bowhunter from the state of michigan. I was fortunate enough to take 2 bucks this past year which is perfectly legal here. Both bucks came in down wind from my stands from several hundred yards out and I was able to kill an 8 point at 37 yards, and a 10 point at 20 yards. I practice rigid scent control by using every scent controlling product imaginable. I also use brand named carbon lined clothing as a base layer and an external layer. I was just wondering if I got lucky or if I do not put enough human scent in the air to bother the deer completely. I have not been winded in 3 years by using rigid scent control. What are your thoughts on this? p.s. I love the website!Winke Responds:David, It is hard to say for sure. I have seen luck come into play on thermals and local winds, etc. that makes it tough to tell when deer should be smelling you and when they shouldn't. The only real test I have found is to drop wind floaters and watch them blow right to the deer. When that happens, you are pretty sure they should be able to smell you. There is no doubt that what you are doing is helping and is worth continuing. Even if all you do is reduce the distance over which a deer can smell you, that is a big deal and will keep your hunting area fresh longer. Because you are not being winded (assuming you are out a lot) you must be doing something right. I don't get winded very often either, but that is as much a result of bulletproof stand sites where the deer can't get downwind of me as anything else. What you are doing seems to be working. (12-12-11)
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Jordan from MO asks:Hi Bill, Congrats on the G5 buck. This isn't a question, but an interesting scent control strategy I learned from a couple older bowhunters this past week I'd like to pass along. If you happen to walk past fresh deer droppings in the woods, always carry a zip lock baggy to collect as much as you can. Back before commercial scent control products really hit the market, these hunters would light the deer droppings on fire before a hunt. While the smoke would arise into the air, they would stand just over the lit droppings to let the smell mask their human odor on their coveralls. It sounds pretty radical, but they swore by it.Winke Responds:Jordan, Not sure I want to stand over burning dung, but I have heard of guys using wood smoke to conceal their odors too. They too swear by it, but I have never tried it. I don't believe deer are afraid of smoke odors, but I would need some experience to be sure that they can't separate human odors from the smoke odors. They are amazingly good at separating odors. Good tip though. Best to you. (11-25-11)
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Matt from WI asks:Bill, Love the show and your website! I have a couple of questions about scent control. Do you think deer can smell air-activated hand warmers? If so, does it alert them? What about food? Will eating a sandwich and a candy bar in my treestand contaminate the area I am hunting as far as scent is concerned? I do as much as I can to eliminated human odor when hunting, but am I going to alert deer if I use handwarmers and eat lunch in the woods?Winke Responds:Matt, I am guessing they can smell it because I can smell it. I don't use them, for no particular reason, I just don't. The real question is whether it is offensive or just another organic odor that hits them all the time. I am not sure on that. It is hard to know without hanging one in a tree upwind of a trail and watching how they react and I have never done that. I think the sandwich and candy bar are fine. They are gone fast anyway (at least in my hands they are). My gut tells me you are fine on the handwarmer but I can't say for sure on that. I guess if you keep it inside something that will help too. Good luck. (11-22-11)
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Matt from MO asks:In a past question you said that waiders helped cover your ground scent. Would knee high rubber boots have the same effect?Winke Responds:Matt, In a limited sense they would, but the vast majority of ground scent isnt actually on the ground but on vegetation. If low brush touches your clothing, you will leave scent. Rubber boots are fine if there is no chance of touching brush, otherwise you need something taller. Wadwrs may be overkill in some situations but they will definitely hold in scent. Good luck. (11-7-11)
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corey from IA asks:I know we are always trying to stay up wind from deer,but help me with this scenario. If your treestand is on a hillside ,how far will your scent carry before a deer can no longer detect it ? thanks love the showWinke Responds:Corey, First, it probably has to be on the top of the ridge to really carry very far. If it is down over the side, the winds will be sucked down as they swirl into the protected air lower in the valley. The only place where they will stay aloft is way up on top (right on the top edge of the slope). In that case, I think a deer has be at least 200 yards away not to smell your scent if you take maximum scent elimination steps but more like at least 500 yards if you take no steps. So, while scent elimination is not 100% effective (in most cases) it does make your hunting area hunt larger by reducing your impact. Good luck. (11-14-11)
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Ken from AL asks:Hi Bill! Love your show and that you are a true bow hunter; not promoting products that you don't believe in! I have hunted with a bow for over forty years and still seem to learn something new every year. However, I continue to have a problem with getting busted by big bucks every year; this year alone on three big bucks. I use scent lok suits, head mask, scent liner boots and socks and gloves. Use scent killer spray, watch for wind direction, store all my clothing in a scent lok bag, change clothing in the field! Wear elimatrax into and back from my stands. Use true carbon for my exposed face; Use Hunters specialties fresh earth cover scent wafer. Yet, when I read about how other hunters have big bucks come from down wind and don't get busted, I wonder why I'm having trouble? any ideas? Thanks, KenWinke Responds:Ken, Two things: don't believe everything you hear or read. There are many variables such as cover and terrain that shape the winds, and thermals. What may seem like downwind, isn't always downwind. What you are doing is all good. It is very, very tough to fool most of the deer most of the time and I think it is impossible to fool all of the deer all of the time. I am working on another version of the "Winke" suit with Cabela's that will come out next fall. I have been testing one this season. I really like that concept of scent containment more than scent absorption. I am not blowing smoke, it has worked better for me. You may want to take a look at that next fall when it comes out. I am sure I will talking about it a lot more before then. Good luck. (11-3-11)
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Casey from IL asks:Hi Bill, I was curious what area or areas of the body you try and protect from emitting scent more so than others? Is there any other special prep to cut down on scent being produced besides showering and spraying down for these areas?Winke Responds:Casey, I use a good unscented deodorant and keep my hair pretty short, but otherwise, just showering and spraying down each time you go out. Keeping your outerwear clean is a big deal. Much bigger than most people realize. It goes way beyond just washing and hanging outside to dry. Actually, I don't even handle my outerwear with me hands, just use a clean pair of jersey gloves everytime. I keep the carefully stored away from odors between hunts and hang them whenever possible. Most people don't realize that once your outerwear is contaminated, it is very hard to get it cleaned up enough again that deer won't smell it. Good luck (11-13-11)
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Derek from MO asks:Bill, I am a huge fan of Midwest Whitetail and have watched it every week since it started only a few years ago. I play baseball at Southeast Missouri State and love watching your show every week. I wanted to share something with you about how I deal with scent control. A week or so before the opening day, and throughout the season, I put my hunting clothing in a large trash bag full of leaves. Helps blend you in more with the woods. This has been extremely effective and wanted to see what you thought?Winke Responds:Derek, I do that too. I think it works great. Key is to make sure they are dry leaves so you don't get mildew in the bag, or else you can replace them often. I appreciate the support and your advice for other hunters. Good luck this season. (11-6-11)
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Troy from MI asks:What is your opinion on the effectiveness of the new ozone emitting scent elimination units? Particularly in a blind application with limited and more controlled air flow. If I remember correctly you have an engineering back ground and had a scent elimination suit out at one time? So you are obviously thinking about this kind of thing. I'm an engineer who wants to believe it will help any unplanned wind direction... Love your show and articles.Winke Responds:Troy, I think the technology makes sense, I am just not sure it works fully in the application they advertise (where the machine is above you in a tree). I would have to see that to believe it. It might work fine, but it seems there are many variables in that scenario. However, in a blind it would seem to make a ton of sense. I also think those machines would be great for getting odors out of your hunting clothes. We are going to bring the suit back out again in 2012. Good luck. (10-26-11)
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Chris from MO asks:Are the blueballs on evergreen trees a good scent cover? Just wondering if you've ever heard of people crushing them up and making a spray for a natural scent cover.Winke Responds:Chris, Those are cedar balls (seeds). Yes, I suppose they would be. I have used the cedar boughs themselves in my clothing bag to add cover scent. Good luck. (10-26-11)
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Mike from IL asks:Bill I know that you are sponsored by execute scent control but I was hoping for your honest opinion on the ozonics machine. As a working class man with 3 kids I hate to throw away my hard earned money on just another gimmick. Thanks for your time and good luck this season.Winke Responds:Mike, I believe the technology is solid but not sure it will work in that application - where it is in the tree with you. However, I do think that in a ground blind it will likely do a great job. Also, I think it would be a great way to remove odors from clothing if used in a closet with your hunting clothes, for example. Not sure if it will actually work in the tree, though. I just don't know enough about that application. Seems to me that human scent woudl blow right past the ozone molecules. Seems like a reach that the ozone would get them all, but I could be wrong. Good luck.
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Hunter from OK asks:Bill, thanks again for all that you do for our hunting lifestyle. Reading your articles has put me seasons ahead of where I would have been without your help. I don't see you supporting "gimmicks" and nor do I put a lot of grain in them...however, I am curious as to your thoughts on the "latest and greatest" Ozonics scent elemination technology. Jay Gregory is a big supporter of this device, and although I'm sure he is motivated financially, I do respect him as a whitetail hunter. Do you have any personal experience with the Ozonics and or are you aware of the legitimacy of this technology? Surely, if this was as good as they say, everyone would have one and it would make hunting mature deer a lot easier. I hope Jay isn't pulling a fast one on us! Thanks again, and best of luck this season. -HunterWinke Responds:Hunter, The science will work, I am just not sold on the application. I am not convinced that simply setting it up above your stand location will eliminate all your scent when the breeze blows. I can see how it would definitely work (at least to some extent) in a blind. The odors are contained better in that location. Again, the technology is solid, just not sure it will work as they say in the places they say it will work. But that is just me using my judgement. I have not tried it. Someday I might. I am not sure it is legal here in Iowa. There have been some questions raised about that. I would have to look into it carefully. Good luck.
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Jeff from IN asks:Bill-I've been following your web show since just after you started it and I'm always learning something new. Thanks! My question is about scent control. You talk about what you do before the hunt, but what do you do after the hunt? I know you use a fresh set of gloves every hunt to handle your your outer layers. How do you handle those layers after the hunt? Do you spray them again before you bag them? And do you always bag your outer clothes separate from everything else? I always feel like I'm getting my scent all over my clothes when I store them and never sure I've done all I can to keep them scent free. Thanks again for the help!Winke Responds:Jeff, I am a big believer in keeping them away from odors but keeping them loose so they can air out. The ideal would be to place them in a tub full of leaves or cedar boughs with the lid off and leave them in the back of your truck with a topper to cover them from rain and theft. That way they aren't forced to soak up any odors they have. Airing them out is a big deal I think. We hang the suits outside as often as possible between hunts. I always keep the outerwear separate. I am wearing a garment that is actually a containment vessel, so to speak. I have done tons of testing on this (more than most people would believe) and I know what works. There are two keys: keep your scent in and keep the garment from getting contaminated. If you can do both, the deer have a hard time smelling you. Think that way and you will know exactly what to do with your outerwear.
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Jonathan from MO asks:Mr. Winke, I have followed your shows for a couple of seasons now and I love them, thank you for sharing all of your knowledge with us. I was hoping that you could spend a little bit of time letting us know how you manage your sent other than hunting the wind. Do you use any scent killer products, either close or sprays? If yes what is your method, if no, why? I think this could be a great segment to show. THANKS again, can't wait to watch tomorrow!!!Winke Responds:Jonathan, We are using Xecute this year for scent reduction. I am a big fan of keeping the outerwear squeaky clean. That is really important. I wash in Sport Wash and hang to dry. No dryer. Good luck.
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art brennhofer from MN asks:Hi Bill,first I would like to thank you for all the information that you provide to help us hunters understand deer better.I read an article in a magazine that talked about using some kind of a "smoker" to give your hunting clothes a smoke oder.I am not sure who markets it but the author claimed that he sees alot more mature deer now because deer are not afaid of a smoke smell and it covers up his human smell.My hunting partner smokes cigaettes and I can smell them on him but he sees more deer then I do.Is it possible that could work.Thanks again,ArtWinke Responds:Art, I don't necessarily think the cigarettes will cover up human odor, that is coincidence, but there is some evidence that smoking your clothing over some kind of fire (wood chips) will help to cover odors in the clothing and possibly even your body odors. I have seen one clothing smoker, but I have never used one. I am not sure if it will work, but it does have some potential. Good luck.
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Jacob from LA asks:First off, I really enjoy your show, the website and your approach to deer management / hunting. I usually keep my scent free clothing in big contractor trash bags. I'm not sure if these transmit odors to my clothes, and I was thinking about getting a couple of the H.S. scent safe bags this year instead of the trash bags. How do you store your scent free clothing, and can you walk me through the sequence you use from the time you decide to wash hunting clothes until its time to wash again? Thanks -JacobWinke Responds:Jacob, The HS bags will work. I have used them. If you can smell the bag the deer can smell the bag on your clothing. I wash and then hang out my outerwear. I never dry my outerwear. I do dry my inner layers. I have dozens of pairs of jersey gloves that I wash too and only handle my outerwear when wearing fresh gloves. I put the inner garments into a Ziploc scentproof bag, I think from Scent Blocker. I put the outerwear into a big canoer's dry bag that I got from Cabela's a number of years ago. It has no odor. It is a PVC bag that I selected in the store because it had no odor inside when I opened it. I still fill it with leaves every year and pile my outerwear in there with the leaves. Spray outerwear with scent eliminator. We use Xecute. I keep my boots in a place in my truck bed where there is no chance of contamination. I don't want to seal them because the foot odor potentially then gets trapped with the entire boot. Let is air out. I never wear the boots or outerwear except when walking to and from the stand and while hunting. I always take it off when I get back to the truck. I get about five or six days out of my outerwear in this way and change my longies every day. Middle layers, every couple of days. That may not be perfect, but it is what I do. Good luck.
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dippy from AL asks:can i chew and spit tobacoo during bow hunting or will the deer smell it and leave the areaWinke Responds:Dippy, From everything I have seen and heard from chewers, it is not a big deal to the deer. You should be able to get away with it. They are much more likely to leave the area due to your ground scent where you walked in and out than from your tobacco on the ground. Good luck.
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Cory from IA asks:Hi Bill, enjoy the show every season. My question is about carbon hunting clothes. You are supposed to put them in the dryer to reactivate the carbon, but there is speculation that a dryer would never get hot enough to reactivate the carbon. So, are carbon hunting clothes a waste of money? I have had a carbon suit for years, and am careful about my scent,but have still got busted downwind. What are your thoughts on this subject, or have you heard these rumors?Winke Responds:Cory, I stopped wearing carbon clothing back in the late 90s, if that is any indication of my feelings. I am not sure if they work or don't work for others. Some claim they do. I got busted all the time too. In fact, I couldn't tell the difference between my abilty to elude deer with the carbon clothes versus just wearing poly/cotton. Maybe I wasn't diligent enough in my handling of the clothes or maybe the technology has gotten better since the late 90s. That is my simple honest answer.
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Kyle from MI asks:Vehicle scent control - What do you recommend for car/truck interiors to help with scent for those driving to their hunting locations? I just got a vanilla air refreshener from Browning - but I think it would be a negative for hunting - although my car smells great! Thanks for putting the videos on the website (main show and all states)!Winke Responds:Kyle, It is going to be really hard. Short of seat liners (something that holds the scent back like a vinyl) there is not much you can do. The best bet is to never wear your outer clothing in the vehicle. I keep mine in a scentproof bag in the back of the truck (along with my boots in a separate container). Wear clean sweat pants and sweatshirt in the vehicle and take it off when you get parked. Don't put the outerwear on until you get to your hunting spot and start walking. Good luck.
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Tom from OH asks:Hey Bill,I had a one piece,waterproof,camo coverall with your name on it that I purchased from Cabela's a few years back.Long to short,it was cut off of me in the E.R. I CAN'T FIND another one.It was the most versatile clothing I had ever worn.Where can I find it,or a reasonable replacement that work's as well? Thanks,Tom A.Winke Responds:Tom, I hope you are OK! They stopped making the suit back in 2005. I was able to get a few (most I gave away, unfortunately). However, we are going to offer that garment again in the spring so keep your eyes open in the Archery 2012 catalog. Thanks for your support.
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Drew from MO asks:hi i was wondering how you help prevent sent when hanging your stands? i understand boots and cover and all that but how do you help against sweat and keeping that off the tree?Winke Responds:Drew, You could bring a change of undergarments in a big ziploc. That would work. I don't change clothes or anything like that. It is hard to keep from sweating so you may have a scent issue when setting up stands. I use a suit that I worked on with Cabela's back in 2004 that contains odors very well and that pretty much handles the bulk of the problem when I zip it up. We are going to come out with the suit again next spring, so that will be nice to be able to promote that. I still wear mine seven years later. It is getting ragged and I need a new one! Good luck.
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Travis from MO asks:Bill, I am considering making my own scent eliminator this year, using a recipe off the internet. Do you believe commercial brands are worth spending a few extra bucks or that homemade scent eliminators are just as efficient?Winke Responds:Travis, I don't know. Some of the formulas are pretty simple with must baking soda suspended in water. I don't think they are as effective as chemicals designed to attack the molecular chain of carbon (the basic building block of all odors). It is sure worth a try. On the other hand, what is a couple of bucks when you are talking about all the time and money we already have invested in this sport. I used to make my own seed blends, but eventually I realized I wasn't saving much money and potentially not planting the best varieties for winter hardiness, etc. I would rather spend the extra couple of dollars and know some chemist is doing the research to hopefully make the formula better.
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Pat from TX asks:Hey Bill. I know we all try to be conscious of scent control, but people tell me I am obsessed. The last time my wife bought wash cloths and towels I took the old ones and made them my dedicated hunting towels and wash cloths that get washed and dryed with the same scent free detergents and dryer sheets I use with my hunting clothes. I also use a small ozone creating device (about the size of a cell phone) that I leave in a scent free tote overnight with my hunting clothes. Then if I have a chance, I will hang my clothes on a clothes line for a while before hunting. Finally I spray down before getting in the stand. I don't know if it's all or just one single thing that's working, but I have had or killed several deer downwind of me using this technique including a 140+ class buck downwing at about ten steps last year. Am I going overboard? By the way, I tried to talk my wife into letting me by a good used washer/dryer set to put in our shop dedicated solely to washing hunting gear butWinke Responds:Pat, I don't think you are going too far on that. There is no such thing as too scent-free. I would say that a dedicated used washer and dryer would be something to save for. That is what I do. They are very cheap - often free. The ones I use are junk, but they get the job done. There is no question that the dryer (and washer for that matter) will carry odors from one load to the next and if the previous load was with scented degergents and fabric softeners, you will have that odor on your hunting clothes too. Maybe you can talk your wife into using only unscented detergents and fabric softeners for all your laundry. Good luck with that. I agree with all your steps. Good work.
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Brandon from WI asks:I see that you've teamed up with Cabela's once again. Any chance they'll be coming out with another set of Bill Winke signiture clothing soon? I believe you mentioned that suit a few times and how it's been a great suit for you and you couldn't find it in stores anymore... Congratulations on all the new angles MW is going and I wish you the best of luck. Thanks, BrandonWinke Responds:Brandon, Yes, it will be out in the spring. That was the motivation behind this new relationship. Of course, I want to have a good retailer for a sponsor of the shows, but we are going to combine that sponsorhsip with the Winke Suit Rev2 starting soon. Thanks for asking.
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Pat from MO asks:How do you stay scent free when putting up your stands?Winke Responds:Pat, I don't. That is the simple answer. Putting up stands means you sweat - at least I do. However, I wear a suit that contains odors so it is not so likely that deer can smell the B0 that eventually results from bacteria breaking down sweat because it is bottled up. I will be offering this suit through Cabela's starting in early 2012. That was what prompted the Cabela's sponsorship this year. Good luck.
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Drew from AL asks:i just bought some new rubber boots. what do you do to get rid of the new rubber smell?Winke Responds:Drew, I would scrub them thoroughly with unscented soap using a stiff bristle brush and then leave them out in the sun for a few days to evaporate any oils that might be on the surface. I doubt you will ever get them 100% scent free. That is another of big misconceptions - that rubber boots are scentless. They may contain scents if you keep the top tight, but they aren't scentless themselves. However, after a few trips through the woods some of the odor fades. Be sure to store them separate from your clothing and keep them away from other odors. Literally, only wear them when in the field, not in the vehicle. That will help to keep them clean. I haven't worn rubber boots in recent years, but I suspect I will wear them again someday. I am not sold on the fact that they are required for scentfree entry and exit. A good clean, Cordura boot also works very well. Good luck.
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Cody from WI asks:Hey Bill! I was recently looking at a pair of rubber boots to buy for hunting, and after reading most of the reviews on Cabelas, almost every review said they have a rubber smell that they can smell with there own nose, would they be worth purchasing? And would the deer be able to smell the rubber? If not, what would you suggest for a Rubber Boot, in the price range of 60-80? Thanks!Winke Responds:Cody, I think I answered this one earlier. Please look down the list on the Recent questions to see if in fact I did. Thanks and have a great day.
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Chuck from WI asks:Bill, Thank you for doing such a great job with your show. I would like to know your opinion on Ozone and its ability to neutralize human odor.Winke Responds:Chuck, I have not tried them, but the science is sound. I am just not sure the application is perfect. It is kind of like activated charcoal, it will filter odors, but maybe not as effectively as everyone would like. Ozone is an unstable oxygen molecule. Stable oxygen it O2, ozone is O3, I think. Some heavy oxygen generators are producing molecules with as much as 5 or 6 loosely bound atoms of oxygen. All those extra oxygen atoms have to go somewhere. When these heavy molecules are released they naturally attack carbon based molecules (most organic molecules like gasoline, human scent, cigarette smoke) are carbon-based. The stray oxygen molecules grab those carbon molecules to become either carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide (I am not sure which). The bottom line - it rips those carbon chains apart and the odor molecule is destroyed. Used car reconditioners have used ozone for years to remove cigrarette smoke. There is no doubt it works, but I am not sure that outside of a confined space it is as effective as people hope. I can see the best application as using the heavy oxygen to remove odors from clothing in some kind of closet setting, or possibly used within a ground blind to wipe out airborne odors. However, unconfined, out in the open, I remain skeptical that it can truly eliminate all or most human odor. Again, I haven't tried it in an unconfined area, so I may be wrong, just be sure to go in with your eyes open and realize that wide open settings may be where the product falls short. Good luck.
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Cody from WI asks:Bill, relating back to the other question i had, you explained that you don't want to lrave any of your sent around the area of the scrape, i do you have hunting boot's(scentlok) and i do also use cover scent's(scent eliminating spray), but what about glove's? What do i get to prevent the smell of my hands around tye area? Thanks! Bill!Winke Responds:Cody, The gloves that people use for washing dishes (you can get them at the grocery store) or even latex safety gloves should contain and control your scent. I have used both in the past with good success. Good luck.
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Floyd Greer from MO asks:As far as scent control; I wear rubber boots. I was looking at some with neoprene. What is your opinion of neoprene on rubber boots as far as scent control?Winke Responds:Floyd, Both neoprene and rubber have some odor of their own - neoprene is worse. I let any new boots sit in the sun for several days to evaporate as much of the odor molecules as possible, but I think they still have an odor. The only boots I have used that didn't have any odor were made of plastic or PVC. We have used PVC boots in the past and they are fine, but normally very cheap and uncomfortable. They are not made for hunting, but for industrial use. Rubber is the better choice, but I have also done fine with Scentproof Cordura Nylon boots as long as kept them away from any sources of odor. That is what I am using now.
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Jared from WI asks:Earth scent wafers, I am currently using the wafers as my cover scent but I am worried that I may dedected by game. I keep all of my clothing in a air tight scent bag. When I take them out of the bag it seems to be a strong earth oder. What is a great cover scent for Whitetail hunts? Thanks Jared from Wisconsin.Winke Responds:Jared, I am not sure if those will work or not. I have not worked with them extensively. It is hard to beat naturally occuring items. For example, actual dry dirt, dry leaves, cedar boughs if you have cedar. I often fill my scent bag half full of dry leaves in October. I am not sure how effective the cover scents really are. The key is to keep your clothing very, very clean and not even handle them with your bare hands. I always use a clean (fresh washed) pair of cheap jersey gloves every time I go out to hunt. I hope that helps. Have a great Easter.
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john from AR asks:hello bill what is your take on activated carbon hunting cloths? do you use them or is spray on scent control enough. thanks johnWinke Responds:John, I think when used correctly they can help. They are no silver bullet however. Carbon in clothing will not keep deer from smelling you. I have worn it enough to know that. Though I don't wear the carbon at this time, I have worn it extensively in the past. Deer smelled me. It is very, very hard to remove all foreign odor from your body and clothing. It can be done, but it requires going to extremes. Just buying a suit of carbon won't do it. I use the sprays and still wear a garment I worked on with Cabela's back in 2004. They discontinued it in 2007. It was not 100% either, but very good. We are looking at bringing it back out.
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Matt from OH asks:I have a question Bill i have heard the deer don't smell ur spit if u dip tabacoo i just wanted to know if there any research done about that if they smell and can tell its human sent im sure a lot of guys wonder the same thing i am.Winke Responds:Matt, I am not aware of any formal testing. I know enough guys that have spit in front of deer and not had them freak out though. My guess is that each deer is a bit different in their reaction, but overall I am guessing here (since I don't chew) that they don't see tobacco spit as human scent.
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Charlie from IA asks:I was just curious if you had any knowledge or first hand experience with the ozonic scent eliminators. I've been doing some reading online and they sure sound like they could make our lives a lot easier sitting in the stand. What are your thoughts?Winke Responds:Charlie, I have not tried them. I understand the technology, I am just not well enough versed in the product itself to know if that technology actually works to remove scent molecules from the air. It likely does work under the right conditions - in a blind for example. I doubt it works under all conditions, however. I don't like carrying stuff. I'm funny that way. I like hunting deer a certain way and don't want to do it other ways. I enjoy hunting them on their own terms most of the time. Each person has his or her own measure of satisfaction. Mine is not always just in the form of shooting a big buck, but often I gain as much (or more) satisfaction from how I do it. For that reason, I am not an early adopter of most technologies. I may be carrying one some day, but not right now. Good luck.
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LANCE from TX asks:I always enjoy reading your question and answers. It is a great way to learn about the art of bowhunting. My question relates to information that I have read that states that 60% of a hunter's odor comes from their head and mouth. I have tried one of the hunter's toothpaste that is on the market and to me the mint breath was just as bad as using a national brand toothpaste which would alert deer. So, is there an effective face mask that a hunter could use in warm and cold weather that would reduce your head and breath odor? Again, thanks for all of your hard work and dedication to the art of bowhunting. Lance.Winke Responds:Lance, I was never in that camp. Who says that your breath has human odor in it? Maybe deer come to associate your breath odor with humans, but my guess is that they don't. I have spit on the ground in front of deer and they just sniff it and walk off. I would say that breathing through your nose most of the time when you have deer downwind is as good as anything. Also, carrying a few apples to the stand will help to keep your breath fresh. Someday someone will do an actual test to determine if deer relate breath odor to humans. Again, I would be surprised. I know for a fact they don't associate human urine with human odor. Again, someday we will know for sure. Good luck.
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kevin from IA asks:Dear bill long time viewer first time writer. My question is my base layer of scent free clothing should it be loose fitting or tight fitting.Before cranking out a bunch of money.Winke Responds:Kevin, I think it should be comfortably snug. I don't like "tight" but I think it will work better if it makes contact with your body. The second layer is the one that should be fairly loose. The job of the first layer is to get the moisture off your body and away from you as quickly as possible. It will do that better if it makes contact with your body all the way around. But not tight. I hope that helps.
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Chuck from MO asks:Do you believe the Scentblocker and Scent Lok suites are effective today? Is it worth the money to spend $500 for the pro series edition? Thanks for your time!Winke Responds:Chuck, It is hard to tell someone that a product works or doesn't work because the level of expectation is different from one person to another. I want my scent control gear to work nearly 100%. If it is 50% I can get that from a clean polycotton suit. Does the carbon stuff work? I am sure it works, but to what degree? That is where the testing comes in and I haven't been in that game for a while. So, I don't know for sure. I used to wear various models of carbon clothing back in the 90s and early 2000s and they didn't do what I thought they should do so I stopped wearing them. They probably did something, just not what I wanted. I am sure the technology of those products has improved over the years since. But, I started trying other solutions, and I ended up with someting of my own. I produced a suit with Cabela's back in 2004 that I still wear. Management changed there, the new guy didn't like me or the suit or something and closed them out back in 2006. We are talking about trying to resurrect that product, but I am not sure how that will all play out. If it happens, it will happen soon. If not, I will likely be trying some new garments and will test the new stuff from Scent-Lok and Scent Blocker to see if it is better than it was back around 2000.
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Chuck from MO asks:Bill, after recently reading your book I have a whole new approach on hunting mature deer. What advise do you have to help further eliminate ground scent when walking in? I am looking for a new edge to take with me in 2011, all the scent control measures I take every time out just are not enough. I have several hundred acres and multiple stands to hunt on different farms and deer seem to still figure me out with limited pressure and paying attention to every detail. Thanks for your time!Winke Responds:Chuck, I have had good luck with both waders (PVC waders like Three Forks from Cabela's) and Elimitrax booties when walking to and from stands. Both will contain your scent without depositing its own scent on the ground, grass and low brush. Another option is to cut trails that you walk on that have elminated any chance of brushing up against vegetation. That is where most ground scent is deposited. Not so much on the ground itself, but on low vegeatation that your pants touch. Good luck.
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Carl from TX asks:Mr.Winke I've always tried to be as scent free as possible. My body to my equipment. I was wondering what's your method of scent control. Do you do it all or just hunt the wind? Thanks all.Winke Responds:Carl, I do it all and then I also hunt the wind. I want every possible advantage. I wear a suit I designed for Cabela's back in 2004. It never sold well then and they eventually closed themout, but I kept a small number of them. That is what the cameraman and myself wear on every hunt. We shower first, put on a fresh clean pair of gloves each time out and keep the outerwear in a sealed canoe bag that we pull out only after we get to the spot where we plan to start walking. I keep my boots in the back of the truck away from any odors and sometimes keep them in a tub. Again, we only pull them out when it is time to get ready to walk in. After a few days, the system works fast and we are on our way within a few minutes. It does add some time and trouble, but it is definitely worth it. I don't carry a backpack. I only carry what I can fit in my pockets. I spray the bow, quiver and arrows down with a scent eliminator regularly. The less you take with you, the less you have that will smell. Make sure to wash your harness and keep it with your outerwear. Good luck.
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Jason from KS asks:Do you think deer can smell a difference between clothes made from natural fibers (such as cotton or wool) and synthetics such as polyester? I know that synthetics are made with a lot of chemicals that could possibly add to scent detection. I have been reading about petrochemicals and am looking to eliminate as many as possible. On the flip side; I have had great luck with Elimitrax and it isn’t natural… Any opinion as to which type of clothing holds/repels scent better?Winke Responds:Jason, I think the bigger issue is the processes and dyes used in the production of the fabric. There is likely way more odor with the dyes than there would ever be with the fabric itself. I have done well with polyester fabrics in the past, but only when they are new. Once a garment gets contaminated, it is really hard to fully wash the "stink" out of it. That is why I always handle my outerwear with caution (only using clean gloves). If you can air them out good for a few days outside in the hot sun much of the unnatural odor will evaporate and "bake" out of it, but you are definitely on to something here. Garments are not all scent free right from the manufacturer. With a couple of washings and plenty of "airing" out, however, most will be much better. There is a lot more to this than what I am telling. I spent two years studying it, (I mean really studying it) but there is not room for all that here. I will likely write an article about it at some point and post it to the articles section. Good luck.
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Dave from WI asks:Awesome website and tons of great info. Your one of a few " pros" whose judgement and observations I trust. Bill when you did your scent control with the waders and PVC jacket what did you do with your breath? And how important is it to control breath/mouth vapor? Thanks, DaveWinke Responds:Dave, I have never felt that human breath has human odor in it. I have experimented many times by spitting on the ground with deer close by and they will sniff it but show no signs of fear. My guess is that human breath odor is overstated as a factor in scent control. If you are in doubt, you can always make a point to breath through your nose when deer are downwind. I seriously doubt you will see a difference. Good luck.
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Ryan from WI asks:Hey Bill i was just wondering what scent elimination steps you take before going into the woods and what products you use? Do you wash your clothes in Scent-Away? Take a Scent-Away shower? Spray all clothes?Winke Responds:Ryan, I always shower and keep my outer clothing very clean and in a separate scent proof bag. I only take them out when I get to where I am hunting then only handle them with clean gloves on. I wash my outerwear in Sport Wash. I feel like that does a good job on low nap polyester clothing. I use other name brands on my under garments. I have not been using sprays on my outerwear but do use them on my hat and the things I carry such as my bow, bino straps, etc.
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Kevin from IL asks:What do you do when you get a running nose.If you wipe it on your gloves i'm sure there has to be some kind of scent there.Winke Responds:Kevin, I don't think that deer smell human scent in mucus. I know they don't smell human scent in urine, nor in spit (I have tested that several times). So I would say you are free to wipe that runny nose all you want. Good luck.
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Scottq from WI asks:Hey Bill, I bought one of your Winke Scent Elimination suits from Cabelas a couple of years ago. Despite the fact that it is almost unbearable in warm weather, I do think it's above anything I've ever tried for scent elimination in the field once the weather cools. That's just based on my own experience from having deer downwind. Was just wondering if you still use one of these and if you still believe in the product? It isn't available anywhere these days, but I have to say I'm happy I was able to get one before they were gone. Of course my reason for asking is to justify NOT purchasing new hunting gear!Winke Responds:Scott, I still use one and insist that my cameraman wears one two. However, mine are starting to get worn and tattered. I will eventually have another version if only to make sure I have them for my own hunting. There is no reason to buy anything new. Good luck.
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Joseph Harris from TN asks:How important is it to use a scent control clothing? I find it rather expensive and was wondering if it really works or not and if so what brand do you recommend. I am on a limited budget and if it is not worth it I would rather spend my money else where. I hear the carbon breaks down and has a shelf life. What do you suggest?Winke Responds:Joseph, I don't know about the shelf life. I think the products do some good. I tried everything out there all through the 90s and found that nothing really decreased my scent much. Since then the technology may have gotten better but I started to use a product I developed with Cabela's that they took off the market in 2006. Since then I have been using that product. If money is tight, I would not buy the scent clothing and focus on only hunting stands where there is little chance for a deer to get downwind of you. Good luck.
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Dalton from KS asks:My neighbor says that a deer can't smell you if you are 15 feet in a stand or higher. I don't know because I saw does bust you when you are 30 feet. He told me that Kansas doesn't have swirling winds and that our scent rises so we can hunt without the deer busting us. Is this true? I know you always are very careful about your scent control and you won't let your scent be blown into any bedding areas. I always wash my clothes before going and and i take a shower in scent free soap. Then I spray myself down with scent killer and after that i use a wafer that smells like freshly plowed earth. ThanksWinke Responds:Dalton, Your neighbor is wrong. With a gusty wind the scent will hit the ground after only a few yards from a stand that low. He is wrong on the swirling winds too. Anytime there are variations in the terrain, even in the cover, the wind will swirl when it gusts. Good luck.
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corey from WI asks:how often do you washyour clothes if you are hunting 4 or 5 times a week and do you use scented dryer sheets or do you air dry (i find it hard to air dry when you plan on hunting in the morning)Winke Responds:Corey, I wash them about every five times out (every 2 1/2 days). That is my outerwear. I try to wear fresh under garments each time out. I don't use any scents on my clothing at all. Good luck.
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Dennis from AL asks:Bill, I have used the scent lock / blocker items for several years now. Honestly don't know if it works or not. Saw a T.V show Myth Busters that had a guy all dressed in a carbon type suit and hide. Then they had a hound dog track him down by scent. The dog was on a string right to where the guy was hiding. What is your opinion of this. All I can say there are many issues that come into play ... Thanks DENNISWinke Responds:Dennis, I don't wear activated charcoal clothing at this time. I have tried it but never felt it helped me much. I may have been doing other things wrong so I can't say it was only the garments. I also saw a test done with dogs by a wildlife biologist in UT or ID. He proved the same thing: there didn't seem to be any measureable difference in the response of the dog to the guys garbed in carbon versus those not so garbed. The goal of eliminating odor is likely unrealistic. It makes more sense to work on reducing it and thus reducing the distance over which a deer can smell you. Other people's experiences my be different from mine, however, so take with a grain of salt. I have other thoughts, but I am going to keep them to myself at this time. I have done a lot of work in this area. If you go to the extremes you can do some impressive stuff. Short of going to the extremes it is all a compromise with comfort and effectiveness is lost. That is the bottom line - you trade effectiveness for comfort.
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Brent from MI asks:Bill, what do you know about thermals and how they affect the dispertion of human odor. i've heard tons of rumors regarding thermals and how they push your scent upwards of a morning and downwards of an evening. can you set the record straight for me! as always....Thanks a ton in advance and best of luck to you!Winke Responds:Brent, Thermals only take over when the day winds are very week and the terrain is broken enough to create up and down drafts. When the area you are sitting is in the sun, the thermals will be rising. When it is the shade, the thermals will be falling. That is the easiest way to understand it. In the evenings, they tend to turn downward and remain that way until the sun warms the land the next morning. In mountainous areas, thermals are a big deal, however, as stated, here in the Midwest, day winds will take priority over thermals and will dictate where you should hunt. On still days, hunt thermals, otherwise hunt the forecasted day wind. Good luck.
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william from PA asks:I have what my wife calls dragon breath. I am a diabetic and have gum disease and my breath stinks most of the time. When I go out in public I chew gum to hide my stinky breath should I do this while deer hunting and would the gum scent scare the deer away or not?Winke Responds:William, I am not convinced, despite all the press, that deer associate human breath odor with human scent. They are two different things coming from two different places. The breath odor is not related to the same factors as body odor. It is possible that deer have made that association, but I am not convinced of it. They aren't afraid of human spit, for example. I have spit in front of them on occassion and they just sniff it and walk off like it is nothing. I am not sure on that one. However, they would certainly smell spearmint, or whatever else you might try to sweeten your breath. You may just want to carry a few apples and munch on them through the day to help. That would be as good a bet as any. Good luck.
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Jacob from MN asks:Hi Bill, I was just wondering if scent eliminator ever goes bad. I have a bottle of Primos Silver XP that I bought last year and wanted to make sure that it will still work properly.Winke Responds:Jacob, I don't believe the commercial formulas will go bad. It is possible that if you let them freeze they may not work as well if the chemical compound changes, but if you just store them inside during the offseason, I would expect them to keep working. Good luck.
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mohammad ali from MI asks:hey bill why do you use scent killer spray if the wind will already spread your scent around your hunting area?Winke Responds:Mohammad, It will reduce your scent for any deer that slip past on the downwind side. In theory that shortens the distance over which they can detect you and will help to keep your hunting area fresher because deer a distance off won't smell you. It is very hard to eliminate your odor, but you do many things to reduce it.
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Brandon from KS asks:Bill, would just like to pass along an item I have found at the megalomart. It is a Charcoal gel odor absober. Called "KEEP IT DRY CLOSET DEODERIZER". About 5 inches long 4 inches tall 1 inch wide.Located with the moth balls,cedar coat hangers etc. Very cheap about $4.00 each. I throw one in each of my totes, or storage bags that contain my hunting clothes and such. I even put one in the truck to keep the stink down.Winke Responds:Brandon, That is a good tip. Thanks for sharing that with us. For anyone interested, I looked up the company name (Willert) online and they show the product there. They don't sell it online so you are best off looking for at the big marts like Brandon did.
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mark from MD asks:to pee or not to pee that is my question ? bill do you let the stream flow out of your treestand or do you carry something along to pee intoWinke Responds:Mark, I let it flow. I have peed from my stands for 20 years and have never seen a single deer react negatively to it. No worries on that one - guaranteed.
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Mike from ON asks:Bill I am obsessed with scent control and am always looking for new tricks. One thing I concern myself with during the hunting season is my diet. I try to stay away from spicy greasy foods (garlic, italian spices etc.)and strong meats. It can also be a problem to eat too much fibre or protein because of the chances of gas. What if anything do you change about your diet and what other scent control tricks do you know that are either underrated or not often thought of. I appreciate yor time and love your show keep up the great work. MikeWinke Responds:Mike, I don't change my diet, but I know some who only eat white meat in the fall. I do wear a garment I designed with Cabela's a few years ago (sold out and closed out - sorry none left) that bottles odors in better than anything else I have tried. Then all I do is keep that thing very, very clean and most of my worries are gone. A good trick, if you are lookig for ideas, is to wear a pair of PVC waders when scouting areas with lots of brush or tall grass to keep from leaving any scent. It works great. Elimitrax also works but is not as tall as the waders.
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Scott from CT asks:Hi Bill! What are your thoughts on ground sent and how much do we leave behind while scouting, Even if we wear rubber boots sprayed with scent killer and don’t touch any vegetation. What are your thoughts on wearing chest waders for scouting? Thanks!Winke Responds:Scott, If you wear rubber boots and spray them down and don't touch anything (which is very tough to do), you will leave little scent. There are always fibers and particles falling off your clothing that deer can smell, so it is hard to be 100 percent scentproof unless you do what you suggest in wearing a pair of PVC waders. I think that is a great idea. I do that occassionally myself. Good luck.
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Brian from IA asks:Dear Bill, All year long I used scented bath soap, such as axe for old spice. Should I start to use an unscented soap during the hunting season, or can I continue to use these scented soaps during non hunting days? When I am going out to hunt I always take a scent free shower with scent-away, but I am wondering if it is ok to use scented soaps on the off days?Winke Responds:Brian, I am not totally certain on that. My gut tells me that if you scrub well wtih a wash rag when using the unscented soaps, you will wash away all the residual odors from the scented soaps. However, it still makes sense to play it safe and stop using the scented soaps and shampoos at least a day or two before you start to hunt.
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kent from IA asks:Bill, I am considering more scent control methods without buying carbon clothing. Have you used or know someone with experience with ozonics?Winke Responds:Kent, I have talked to a number of people who use them. They definitely work in certain applications. These units make the most sense when hunting from ground blinds and when used as a way to remove organic matter (scent molecules) from your clothing prior to the hunt. I don't have enough experience myself to know what will happen when using these units in a tree. It would seem tough to do a thorough job of mixing the ozone with your airborne scent when the wind is blowing.
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Ryan from IN asks:hey bill great site bye the way i been watching for 2yrs now. ok my question is, what should i do with my boots when storing clothes? i have scentlok suit an fear that foot odor will contaminate clothes if i stored boots an clothes togather in a rubbermaid container. how do you go about this, just separate them?Winke Responds:I separate them in their own containers. I still don't like that altogether because I sometimes feel like I am bottling up the foot odor and totally contaminating the boots. Instead, it makes sense to get them out of the container when you get back to camp and let them air out in a place without any foreign odors (the front porch, for example). Good luck this fall.
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Andrew from IL asks:I live on a farm in western Illinois and I absolutely love hunting whitetail deer. Being that I am only 17 and am very active in sports, I have a limited budget. I've always used a scent system ever since I started. We have a well that puts out sulfur water. Since it has a very rotten smell to it, could it be in my clothes etc even after I use a scent control wash? And also, could it even be staying on my body after a scent free body wash is used? Thanks for any suggestions.Winke Responds:Andrew, That is a tough one regarding your body odor, but I would certainly think it would be in your clothing. You can always run a dehumidifier and use the water from that to wash your clothing if you are looking for a pure, odorless source for water. Otherwise, it might be wise to wash them somewhere else. I would still definitely line dry them, however, to avoid dryer odors.
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Brandon from KS asks:Bill, I'm Glad the season is just around the corner. Always enjoy the shows. My question is about scent. When traveling to and from your stand (and I guess as well as sitting on stand) How far do you think human scent wafts/drifts ? Of course the wind will push it further if it is strong on certain days. Just curious in general how far a hunter should be concerned about how far thier scent is drifting. I have some stands that are hard to get into, and I have to pretty much come in from one direction. The scent blowing into the hunting area always concerns me.Winke Responds:Brandon, I don't have any testing on this, but I read a couple of studies by other guys over the years that suggests that a deer can smell you to a distance of at least 1/4 mile if you don't take any odor elimination steps and the conditions are correct. The best scenting conditions are a light breeze, steady with moderate to high humidity. This takes in most hunting conditions. If you think in terms of 1/4 mile you will probably be on target. Each thing you do to reduce your odor will reduce that distance. Good luck.
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Brian from IA asks:Bill, What cover scent would you suggest to use? I would like to buy a product that provides everything from washing and drying clothes to elimanating scent right before entering the tree. What would you suggest?Winke Responds:Brian, I think both Hunter Specialties, Wildlife Research Center and Scent Blocker all make good systems. Any one of them will work. I am a sticker for avoiding odors, of course, and I have noticed that many odors enter clothing in the dryer. Even if all you use the dryer for is to dry hunting clothes with no softener sheets, they still tend to produce and odor. Just sniff the exhaust coming from the dryer vent sometime and you'll know what I mean. So hanging the clothing dry is a very good idea. I don't personally use cover scents. I sometimes walk in cowpies when crossing pastures, but most of the "ground scent" that deer pick up they find above the ground - on low brush and vegetation that your cloting contacts. That is why I always wear Elimitrax boots when walking through areas where contact with vegetation is unavoidable. Take everything to the extreme. If you don't, you may as well not even do anything. Good luck.
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dylan from IN asks:how much of a factor is scent lock? i dont have scent lock suits or anything of the sort. i try and play the wind but not always. i do make sure to stay as scent free as best i can with all the different products.Winke Responds:Dylan, It does reduce scent to some degree. Exactly how much it reduces the scent is debatable. You will still need to play the wind at all times even with the scent clothing.
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Alex from OH asks:Hey Mr. Winke, I've hunted this 400 acre farm my friend owns for the past two years. He has Cattle on this farm they are separated from where my stands are located but are close to it. I was wondering if I stepped in Cow manure would it help to mask my scent while I'm walking to my stand? Thanks, AlexWinke Responds:Alex, Yes, that is a good thing to do, but don't forget that most of the "ground" scent that deer pick up is in the places where your pant legs brush against the low vegetation. So the manure cover scent is only part of the challenge of getting in clean. You still need to avoid contacting vegetation. That is the hardest part. I have gone to great lengths in some areas to keep my clothing from touching vegetaion. I like to use Elimitrax boots and I also have even used PVC waders in some cases, to get in clean. It is a lot of trouble to be sure, but that is sometimes the price you pay for getting into a tough stand without leaving any scent.
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Eric from NY asks:Hi Bill, Last fall you mentioned you might come out with another version of the scent control suit you wear. Are you still thinking about doing so? I'm curious if the material is as quiet as a fleece type garment or how it compares for wind and water protection too. Thanks, love the show.Winke Responds:Eric, Thanks. We had plans to bring it out but had trouble with the material. We still hope to have a few by fall, but don't hold your breath. I will let everyone on the site know about it when we get them ready.
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Tye from AL asks:Bill; a stand I’m looking at hunting on public land has great creek access routes for entry and exit, but the creeks don’t line up well with the best wind direction for the stand I plan to hunt. Can the creek act as enough of a wind break to allow entry/exit with not so ideal winds, or is wind still the determining factor on entry/exit? This situation for example has the creek running North/South, but the stand needs a westerly wind and is blocked by private ground on the east side ending any hope of approaching from that direction. The creek is deep and narrow and blocks the wind, but can thermals moving my scent up into the wind stream still be a concern?Winke Responds:Tye, The creek will shield the wind from you, but ultimately it will swirl around some in the creek and eventually end up blowing out and will be detected by any deer in the downwind direction. I would try it on still days (or days with low winds that aren't as likely to gust and swirl violently). It will probably work fine under those conditions. Good luck.
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jeff lemon from OH asks:didnt you and cabelas team up to make a pair of coverall that were lined with some material and were suppose to keep your scent contained i still have one and like it wondered what your thoughts on it and wether you still liked it or have you come up with something betterWinke Responds:Jeff, I am still using that suit myself. That is part of the reason I don't have a clothing sponsor because I don't want to have to wear something else. I am working with another company to come back out with a similar product. I'll keep you updated when we have it ready.
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Steve from MO asks:Bill, What are your thoughts concerning eliminating ground scent entering and exiting stands? It's obviously best to not cross known trails but just in case, what do you think works best? Do you think spraying down your rubber boots and clothes heavily with some sort of scent eliminating spray is sufficient? Any thoughts on the Elimitrax boots as to whether they are worthwhile? I personally like them but if you are going through any brush they sure are noisy. Thanks, SteveWinke Responds:Steve, I am a big fan of the Elimitrax boots. I think they do exactly what I need them to do. It is hard to make clothing so scent-free that the deer can't smell where you brushed against the vegetation. If you really want to get in clean, consider a pair of PVC waders and carry your boots. I have done this in sensitive areas and it works incredibly well.
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Jarred from OH asks:You've mentioned several times that you use the suit developed for Cabela's several years back. If memoery serves me, it wasn't carbon activated. How did it block your scent. Do you not feel carbon works as advertised. Also are you making a new version of the old suit. Thanks producing a great show, I have picked up some really nice pointers. JarredWinke Responds:Jarred, You know how to pin a poor guy down don't you? I am not going to answer all those questions because they are too loaded. I think some of that carbon technology works, but it never worked for me as well as I would have liked. That is all I am willing to say about that. I will likely come out with another scent suit next summer. Now I have a way to promote it through the show. The two I have left are getting ratty and it is time for me to replace them so I had better get back to work and find a manufacturer! Thanks for your support. We will try to add some information in every show to help you become a better deer hunter. That is my goal. Good luck.
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Frank from PA asks:I have a question for you, does the scent blocker and scent lok clothing really work or do they just fake? If they do work which one should I buy?Winke Responds:Frank, I think they both work to a certain extent. I don't wear either one because I have something I like better that is no longer being sold, unfortunately. I would select the suit you can afford and the one that fits you most comfortably. Certain features might also be important to you. I would not worry too much about comparing the two on effectiveness. I don't have a good answer for you there.
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Aaron from ME asks:Winke, One of the best forms of scent elimination I've found, although somewhat unconventional, is having my wife save her urine. Before I dress in the morning, I rub it all over me and then before I head out to my stand, I pour some more on my head and let it drip down me. I really have never been detected since I started doing this. Have you ever heard of this? Do you think I could sell her urine and advertise it as a scent eliminator? Thank you, AaronWinke Responds:Aaron, I have heard it all now!! I thought I had lived an open, full life, exposed to many new ideas in the hunting world, but apparently I have been sheltered because that one took me by surprise. I know of a guy out in Colorado that rolls in elk wallows (he's head to toe mud and elk piss when he's done) and then he just walks right into the herd. Maybe you guys can get together and start a company.
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Justin from AL asks:I have been using dead down wind and scent killer scent eliminator sprays (plus clothes wash and body shampoo before the hunt) to stay scent free in the woods. It seems like I've used a ton of scent eliminator field spray this year. Do you need to apply it every time you enter the woods, or does it keep working for a while; for example could I put it on in the morning and not need to apply it again that afternoon (even though I'd be wearing the clothes home and then leaving them in the car)? Thanks Bill and good luck as you get started with your hunting on the 25th.Winke Responds:Justin, Some of those sprays have active ingredients that will continue to work well after you spray them on. I would say that if you are coating your clothing well, doing so once per day should be enough. I wouldn't wear them in the vehicle at all. There is just so much odor, dust, etc. in the seats of vehicles that you will surely contaminate them quickly wearing them in the vehicle. It would be better to keep them in a scent proof bag and get them off as soon as you arrive back at the vehicle. I look pretty crazy dancing around in my longies all the time, but hey, it keeps the odors off my clothing.
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scott from OH asks:Bill, why don't you find someone new to manufacture your Winke Super Suit? I am still kicking myself for not buying one 5 years ago. I would think they would sell much better today since you have the website where people can actually see the success you have while wearing it. Thanks again for this great resource. ScottWinke Responds:Scott, Yes, that is what I am doing. I expect to have something like that next year. My suits are getting tattered from barb-wire and brambles so it is definitely time for new ones. There was a personnel change at Cabela's the year after the suit came out and the new guy didn't like the suit or me so he dumped it. In his defense, they weren't selling great, but they are not mainstream clothing - a little clunky. With a little time, I think they would have caught on. Once he decided to close them out, I should have bought 20 of them in my size! I bought a couple (you would think with my name on it they would give them to me, but like I said, the guy didn't like me.) So here I sit with tattered clothes.
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levi from IL asks:Bill, Do You Like Scent Lok Or Scent Bloker Better?Winke Responds:Levi, I don't use either one of them right now. I still use a suit I developed with Cabela's back in 2004. That one didn't do well for various reasons, but it does work very well. Mine are wearing out so I am going to have to get off my butt and come up with something else. Good luck.
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Casey from MN asks:Hey Bill, great show you guys at MW put on. I love the authentic hunts and family atmoshere. Keep it up. The property I bow hunt has great potential as I have some great deer on my trail camera. The terrain is lower oak flats and river bottom surrounded by cropland and hayfields. The problem I have is finding stands where the prevailing wind doesn't blow my scent to the deer. I've read your comments about a special scentlock suit you helped develop but this can't completely eliminate your scent, does it? I've never been big on the scentlock suits and such and always try to play the wind but it seems I'm missing out on some great deer and/or just plan educating them. Is there anytime you ignore the wind and just hunt? Also what is your scent elimination routine? ThanksWinke Responds:Casey, To answer your question in simple terms, no, I never forget the wind and just hunt. I'm sure that is a catching marketing phrase, but I would never do that. Instead, play the wind as best you can and then use the best scent control possible to help you get away with a bit of error. One possibility is a scent proof ground blind. I have hunted in blinds that completely contained my scent. Just make sure it is essentially air tight (you can always open the door occassionally to get some fresh air inside. I use cellophane wrap (Reynolds) across the windows and then shoot through that. Getting to and from the blind may still be a problem, but on stand (in the blind) you should be able to stay basically undetected.
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Dean from NJ asks:Hi Bill, love the shows! Since I have seen on the shows that sometimes you set up your stand when you go into the woods to hunt it, my question is, how do you deal with your scent? I know sometimes when I set up a stand sometimes I can get a sweat going and I know that can not be good for scent control. Any ideas? Thanks!Winke Responds:Dean, I just take my lumps and sweat. There isn't much else I can do unless I bring a change of clothes in a rubber canoe bag (I have done this before). However, I'm always playing the wind anyway and wear a suit that I developed back in 2004 for Cabela's. They stopped making it but I bought several before they quit and that is what I still wear. That suit basically works regardless of what I smell like.
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Tim from IL asks:I guess I don't understand your reply on onions being introduced as new , because here in Illinois if you look around wood lot openings and edge's of timber there is wild onions growing abound, that is where I got the idea on using something natural to the deer but yet strong enough to cover our smell if you put them around your setup... can you have your show do a study on this and compare in different area's ...you know sometimes idea's so silly and simple could be with awesome results... Thank You TimWinke Responds:Tim, If they are natural, then it would work. We don't have them in my area and I have not seen them often when traveling other places to hunt so I assumed they were not part of the natural landscape. I think that would be an interesting study. Thanks for the heads-up.
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Brian from PA asks:Dear Bill, I have been using one of your scent suits for a number of years.....works great!!! I seem to remember reading somewhere that you also use some sort of swimmers cap for your head, and cover your daypack in one as well? Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.Winke Responds:Brian, Actually, it is my friend Jim Hill that wore the swimmer's hat. He used a neoprene swimmer's hat. I never went to that extent but do where the head cover that came with the suit. Sadly, Cabela's had only limited success with the suit and stopped selling it so now I need to figure out what I am going to do to get more of them. I put my pack in a PVC canoe bag when in the tree. I wear just a small fanny pack and the bag, rolled up, fits easily into the pack with the other items I carry.
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Tim from IL asks:What do you think about onion"s for cover up ? Any research on this ? Your show's are awesome thanksWinke Responds:Tim, That one was not on my radar. I had never thought of that and probably wouldn't do it. Deer don't like new stuff and that is defintitely an odor they would not be accustomed too. So even if it did effectively cover human scent, it would introduce too much of an unfamiliar odor to suit me.
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Matt from IA asks:Love the show Bill. Been following it since last year on Realtree's site. Keep up the good work. My question is this...do you think a natural smell like a campfire would work as a good cover scent or would it spook deer. Thanks.Winke Responds:Matt, I think it would work. I would keep everything really clean, but if you feel that you need a cover scent, hanging the clothing and accessories above a smoky fire would definitely help. Good luck and thanks for supporting the show.
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Brandon from KS asks:Bill, Love the shows! Last year I got in about mid season, and was really looking forward to the launch of this season. Was wondering what your thoughts are on the carbon scent control clothing ? Do you use any of this type hunting clothing ? Thanks Brandon.Winke Responds:Brandon, I still wear the suit I designed for Cabela's back in 2004! I thought enough of them that I actually purchased several of them when they were closing them out over the last couple of years. That is the most effective product I have tried, but unfortunately it is no longer available. Maybe I will try to come out with something along those lines again. Anything helps as long as you keep it very clean. It is just that some things work better than others. Keep that stuff clean and it will definitely help.
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Bunky from VA asks:Bow Hoist Rope Bill, When you use a hoist rope do you put it away or leave it out? Do you think the rope or strap material would hold human scent longer than the metal steps? I was planing on putting a rope at each stand but I thought maybe I should use one and carry it up the tree and take it with me when I leave so I don't leave a rope low to the ground with scent on it. What's your approach on this?Winke Responds:I leave one at each stand. It will go scent-free soon enough. I think if you are going to be putting the stand up during the season, it would probably be a good idea to take the rope with you. However, if you use a heavily padded seat on your stand, it probably contains a fair amount of scent too. I started taking the cushions off. Not nearly as comfortable, but much less scent. Good question.
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Elwin Page from ME asks:I was just wondering about your bow and arrows. Do u spray anythink on them for the human scent that gets on them from and if u do what is it that u like to use. Thank you ElwinWinke Responds:Elwin, I definitely spray my bow and arrows regularly. I use typical scent sprays. I think I used Scent Killer last year.
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kade from IA asks:I want to take my girlfriend out with me hunting but im afraid she might get too cold. Im going to set a ground blind up on a picked corn field. My questions is if I run a propane heater would deer be able to smell it?Winke Responds:Kade, Yes, they they can smell propane fumes for sure, but the nice thing about heat - it rises. And it takes your scent up with it. We have seen this before. If you have a small outlet for the hot air to get out of the blind, the heat and odor will rise a good ways before cooling and moving with the airflow. I think it is a great idea.
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Jonathan from MN asks:Hi Bill, I just read your recent jounral enteries on your experiments with scent control(I really enjoyed the read).After reading the article it got me wondering what is your current scent contral system.I see that you are not wearing scent control hoods on your video footage. Are you just keeping clean and watching the wind or do you have some kind of scent reduction or elimination system that you use? I have been wearing scent lock and keeping everything clean and scent free for the last 10 years or so with fairly good results just wondering if there is anything else I can do to up my odds of staying undetected.Thanks for your time and the example you are to all of us. I really enjoyed meeting you at the MN Deer Classic you are obviously a man of good moral character and I appreciate the fact that you include your family in your work and are not scared to mention the fact that you are actively involved in your local church. God Bless, JonathanWinke Responds:Jonathan, Several years ago I came up with a coverall based on my findings with the waders, etc. I applied for a patent and took the idea to Cabela's. They developed the concept into a garment and they sold it for one year. It didn't fly off the shelves so they abandoned it. I was hoping they would promote it, but they had/have a lot of relationships with activated charcoal companies so it wasn't in their best interest to throw money at that and risk alienating their core business of charcoal. So it died. I ended up with a few sets of that coverall and that is what I wear. The facemask you see me wearing, is actually part of that suit. Someday I will likely come out another version, but for now, I still wearing the ones from the Cabela's days. Thanks for your comments. I appreciate your support. Best regards. Bill
