Bathe or Not

[ringneckdog]

Wondering what most of you guys are doing out in the field for cleanliness? I am a guys that sweats a ton. I will be backpacking out on my first elk hunt for probably 7-8 days with a buddy. There appears to be plenty of descent water around the area were hunting. I'm just curious if most of your are just cleaning up with baby wipes and such or if your actually jumping in a small lake or creek and actually bathing? IF you are jumping in, what kind of scent free soaps are you using that are biodegradable or are you not concerned if they are biodegradable? Are you guys packing in all the scent free deodorant and other scent products.

I just very use to being a scent fanatic here in the midwest when going after whitetails and I normally never put my hunting clothes on until I'm in the field and take a shower with scent free products before every hunt, even if just going for an hour or two.

Luckily I have what I think is a pretty good set up of all first lite gear with multiple pairs of the boxers, which are absolutely awesome by the way and 4 pairs of socks, so I can change those out pretty regular.

Lastly have any of you used noise Jammer products for elk? For deer here in the midwest everyone swears by them and most retailers cannot keep the products in stock, but I normally just focus on being totally scent free. I just was't sure if might be something to consider taking with. I'm sure the merino clothing will definitely help **** down on the smell, but looking for any advantage I can get.

 

[dreamingbig]

I take a quick rinse in a mountain lake every two or three days. At minimum I will the day we hike in... Refreshing after the 8 mi jaunt to camp. Water is cold so don't spend a lot of time in it!

 

[dreamingbig]

Take a small 2 ounce bottle of Hunter specialties scent free green liquid soap.

 

[BoonROTO]

If you are going to be in the backcountry for 7-8 days your are going to stink, no amount of scent free products are going to make you scent free. I use baby wipes and bathe however I can when an oppurtunity is available and I feel the need. That may be dipping in a creek or using a collapsible water bladder hanging from a tree. If you do use soap absolutely use biodegradeable, why wouldn't you? Play the thermals and the wind as much as possible.

 

[PMcGee]

I take stuff to bathe but never used it. Usually just wipe down with a wet wipe. I brush my teeth in the morning (if I remember too) and take scent free deodorant. I only take one extra pair of socks and one extra pair of underwear. I wear my hunting clothes in and have an extra base layer to sleep in. That's for up to 10 days. I sleep in my shelter by myself so I don't really care if I stink or not.

 

[Archerm]

And do it when there is lots of sun in the middle of the day!!

I take a quick rinse in a mountain lake every two or three days. At minimum I will the day we hike in... Refreshing after the 8 mi jaunt to camp. Water is cold so don't spend a lot of time in it!

 

[sodaksooner]

I don't think it helps with the smell much but it does a lot for me mentally to clean up every few days.

 

[dreamingbig]

Agreed. Take advantage of mid day sun and it is more for how you feel rather than scent control. Keep the wind in your face.

 

[Poser]

What others said: after a week, heck, after 2 days, no amount of scent control short of a full shower/bath and complete laundering of your clothes and gear is going to make any difference at all.(and the difference it does make is minimal and doesn't last long). If the conditions are right, I'm not opposed to jumping in a lake, but for the most part, washing the crust of your face or dunking your head in the water will get the job done sufficiently. Its all relative. When you are used to the feeling of showering everyday, you feel like you need one. After 3 days in the backcountry, a splash of cold water on your face will give you that same feeling of being refreshed.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

Never worry about it personally. If anything I will bring some wet wipes.

 

[Bar]

Stinking and elk hunting are like peanut butter and jam.

 

[live2huntelk]

We have used this .....used reactor stove to heat water up and mix with cold water....wash head, and upper body. About 4 days in, it can be very refreshing.

http://www.rei.com/product/758045/sea-to-summit-pocket-shower

 

[IdahoElk]

Wet wipes are your friend!

 

[jdmdavey]

I carry a small bottle of biodegradable soap. Find a creek, get nekkid and endure the frozen frank & beans!
It does a lot for me mentally to get cleaned up after 2-3 days of hard hunting, especially in the early season.

 

[ringneckdog]

Thanks for the replies. All of your insights and recommendations are appreciated. I should have mentioned before. One of my main reasons for asking is not only for odor concerns, but to try and mitigate chaffing. I'm also planning on bringing Monkey butt powder and will bring with wipes, towel, and the HS green soap as that is what I use already and have been happy with. I would guess most of this audience listens to it, but if you don't, check out the Gritty Bowmen podcast. They have alot of great insight and tips, and I cracked up about their episode discussing chaffing and manscaping. Not something you typical hear discussed from Hunters.

 

[Bar]

Sorry, but this is getting kind of girly guys. I just go hunt.

 

[jmez]

You will never fool an elk's nose. Hunt the wind. There is no such thing as scent control in the mountains.

 

[Jeff Martin]

This is one of my luxury items. I pack a camp shower and let the sun heat the water. I go light on other items so I can have a shower. I shower almost everyday. I need it mentally.

 

[ridgefire]

I typically bathe every three days or so, depends on how warm it is. Jump in and right back out, lather up and then back in to flop around for a second or two. Water is cold in the high country mid Sept. Butt wipes in between the baths.

 

[elkmule123]

Kinda funny, shortly after reading this thread I came across this http://www.simple-shower.com/ in a outdoor magazine.