In my opinion, one can’t and won’t fool a deer’s nose with expensive garments or “scent control” rituals. Only playing the wind can keep your scent from being detected. I believe John is an incredible hunter, and possibly an even better marketer / salesman.
I wasn’t aware of this guy or his “method” I do something similar. I like to hunt very mature deer in heavy pressure areas. The better your method the better chance you have of killing 5yr old plus deer.
After reading his process I think he doesn’t go far enough in some areas and wastes too much time in others.
Like/agree:
-not eating or drinking anything with pungent smells…this is huge.
-his tote method…I’ve modified mine to have specific locations/areas I hunt per tote. I will take dried leaf matter and soil from each location and store them in the totes a month before I start hunting the area. Then dump out all materials before hunting…this helps cover the natural plastic leaching of the tote. The premise being deer can pick up specific ionized molecules and use this as part of their navigation (I know this is vudoo and call me crazy…but I can believe whatever I want!) and it doesn’t hurt haha
-wool base layers
-doesn’t believe in scent sprays over clothing because obviously the spray is not actively pursuing scent molecules haha
-several other parts of his process were right on and mostly it’s about having a process in the first place
Dislike/disagree:
-using scentlok gloves to grab things is silly…there will be molecules attaching to porous materials…using rubber gloves is better.
-washing clothes in “scentfree” detergent…it will still have a scent signature…just leave the clothes outside all season. Easier and more effective
-washing scentlok after 4 sits…they will have scent molecules and moisture on the clothing after hunt. Need to hang outside in the sun. Airs the clothing out and sun kills anything that remains.
-he loves scentlok and I think it’s a gimmick
-dressing in a vehicle is a terrible idea even in cold or public area…pick up way too many molecules still. Strip down to boxers no matter what. When it’s cold it’s even better cools you down for walk in
-never have clothing over rubber boots…can brush against grass
-also no mention of ground disturbance…walking in you have to walk outside boot first contact and roll boot to ground to minimize ground disturbance that deer can EASILY smell
-also no mention of the biggest scent producers…our mouth. I gargle with listerine at night and before I go in for a sit. Plus eating a couple apples during a dark to dark sit helps clean up the mouth and contain polyphenols to help prevent bad breath. Eating salad at night and ginger will help prevent dropping bad scent molecules from your mouth. I’m not sure if there is science behind it but anything green is supposed to help with bad breath…probably a wives tail.
I do all this BUT still pay very close attention to the wind…if he doesn’t pay attention to wind then this dude is just a blowhard hunter that only finds success by volume of time in the tree not skill.
