No matter what, this article is likely to be met with skepticism, if not derision, given the strong views hunters have when it comes to scent control vs “playing the wind.” It reminds me of the times my wife tells me I stink, making terrible faces and shooing me away, leaving me to wonder if she just wants to be alone, or if females do in fact have olfactory powers superior to those of most ordinary mortal men? But given that scent control is especially relevant to archery season, where proximity is the name of the game, I decided to take a crack at it, anyway.

So basically, on the one hand, you’ve got the guys who look like they’re wiping down a crime scene on an episode of CSI: Miami, packing their hunting clothes in air-tight plastic containers lined with acorns and pine needles, and driving out in their long johns while spraying themselves head-to-toe with doe estrus or buck urine. Some even go so far as to refrain from eating meat before hunts, lest their breath and farts alert deer to a potential predator nearby. (I kid you not!)

On the other end of the spectrum, you’ve got the guys stompin’ out to a tree stand or blind with a turkey & bacon sandwich and a thermos full of Black Rifle coffee, swearing that they’re downwind, so who cares what they smell like? They claim that scent control is a bunch of fuss, and the wind is the only thing that really matters.

Yet the truth (as is often case with something as sticky as the truth) appears to be somewhere in the middle. One thing for certain is that deer rely first and foremost on their noses for survival. They can smell you from a mile away (or a half-mile, anyway) – if you’re upwind, that is. And pretty much nothin’ you do, whether it’s a spray, deer pee, or an ozone generator, is gonna change that.

That said, there are some simple precautions you can (and should) take, especially when walking out to your stand, to reduce your scent trail. If you think of scent as being just one piece of your strategy, it might give you that extra edge you need to bag a mature buck who’s maybe been around the block a few times and has a keen nose for danger. Those who rely solely on playing the wind often overlook the fact that, just like deer, the wind doesn’t always follow the rules — it tends to shift around in unpredictable ways, as anyone who’s spent much time up in a tree stand can attest.

So, here’s my short list of 5 Easy Things to Do to cover up your scent, and possibly even attract more deer to your position (though the latter remains the subject of much heated debate)…

5 Tips for Covering Your Scent

1. Wash your clothes in scent-free detergent, dry them on high heat, then leave them outdoors overnight if possible (where they won’t get rained on). Also stay away from scented soaps and deodorants. Some guys like to wait to get dressed only once they’re outside their cars in the woods. But unless your car smells to high-heaven of Dunkin’ Donuts or cigarettes, that’s probably not gonna make a big difference.

2. Spray your boots with scent killer before walking out, and try to stick to well-kept trails or creek beds as you make your way out to your spot. Also, walk slowly so that you don’t generate a lot of perspiration. This is crucial for noise-control, as well — walking slowly, heel-to-toe, being as silent as possible from your vehicle to the stand/blind, can make or break a hunt.

3. Try some of the natural spray recipes, such as green walnuts, acorns and yes, even vanilla extract mixed with water. There are plenty of YouTube videos with various recipes, and it doesn’t even have to be something that’s native to your area. Some claim the scents will attract deer to your position. Others say it confuses them just long enough to get off a shot. Either way, natural sprays are cheaper than paying for the commercial stuff, and worth giving a try. The subject of urine/estrus is a whole article unto itself, which I will cover another time. Put simply, use a dash if it works for you. Just please don’t overdo it!

4. Eat an apple before you go out. Lots of hunters spray every last inch of their clothing and equipment, but give zero thought to their breath. If your wife can smell it, so can the deer!

5. Ozone Generators are fine, if you can afford one. But it’s probably not a game-changer. So, use one if you got it. But humans have been hunting since caveman times without them and bagged more kills than you ever will. So take it with a grain of salt.