Bathe or Not

[Ross]

I jump in daily get soaped up jump out and head out for the afternoon hunt...refreshing may help a little until that sweat starts rolling again...as noted mt hunting elk you will stink and keep the wind in your favor otherwise you get to see the eyes and nose flare, the crashing and thoughts of what could have been...

 

[jwb300]

If I'm going for a longer period I will just take a few wet wipes and a small can of bosistos tea tree oil spray. That stuff works wonders. It is antibacterial so it kills the source of the scent. It is a natural smell too which may help.

The best thing is you can spray your boots with it if they are getting a bit damp and smelly, it repels insects (and is the only thing I've found that repels leeches), you can spray it on cuts and grazes to prevent infection and you don't have to worry about it eating plastics like deet.

 

[njdoxie]

I do nothing for 9 and 10 day hunts....I minimize sweating by removing clothes as needed, I also apply extra anti-perspirant before I leave

 

[Bar]

I do nothing for 9 and 10 day hunts....I minimize sweating by removing clothes as needed, I also apply extra anti-perspirant before I leave

There you go.

 

[Tony Trietch]

Bar might not think it's manly to clean up in a stream or crick but I feel like a million bucks after a dip.
I don't bring soap of any kind or think it will help at all with scent control though.
It's purely for my comfort. It's water.
It's good.

 

[Bar]

Washing in a creek is fine. It was the lotions and chaffing stuff that made me cringe. Sounded like a bunch of women talking at the beauty salon.

 

[rhendrix]

I take a bunch of dehydrated wet wipes and a handkerchief. The handkerchief is to clean my face with and wipe sweat with, the wipes are to clean my undercarriage and arm pits with. I never mix the two up.

 

[Biggs300]

the longest I've been hunting/camping is 7 days. Yep, Wet Wipes 2 or 3 times a week is pretty much all I need to feel comfortable and not offend others in my hunting party during a hunt. It is hard to bathe camping out at 10,000+ feet when the temps are hovering around 15 to 30 degrees.

 

[ndbuck09]

the last 5 years I've done hunts from 7 days to 12 days. I just shave everything on my body and that keeps me cool and stops a lot of sweat and stink. Nice and smooth boys

 

[Elkfitness]

I bring some small soap sheets I get at REI, but I've only used them to wash my face and hands. That refreshes me. I will wash my feet when I get the chance but use wet wipes on everything else. As others mentioned, play the wind because you will smell.

 

[EATONANTLERS]

You're not going to beat an elks nose so the question is what do you want to do to be personally comfortable.
As many have already said, getting a quick shower or bath goes a long way toward keeping your head in the game. Even standing in a small plastic tub and washing up with a tea kettle of warm water is like a day at a Hollywood spa when you're feeling crusty.
I'm adding a bladder shower to our gear this year. We don't spike where we elk hunt so we're back in camp every night. Depending on what time that is, depends on how elaborate I get with cleaning up. At a minimum I use unscented wipes on my "friction points" every day. I also change skivvies and sock liners every day. It's very easy to wash out a few pairs of each and line dry them so you don't HAVE to take an entire 10 day wardrobe.
FWIW, I'm a WT scent freak at home (MI) as well, but that game don't play in the mountains.

 

[Jon M]

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.

Good question, my son and I are going to Colorado in Sept, and I was thinking about this as well?!

 

[Aperventure]

No, No, no man, you’rethinking of it all wrong. Dont try to hide, become one of the herd! It’s a benefit if you sweat a lot. Also make sure to piss all over yourself, by day 4 you’ll smell
Just like an elk and will be able to just walk up with your knife and gut on while it sleeps

 

[Backyard]

I made a camp shower out of a 2 gal garden sprayer and a sprayer from a kitchen sink. Works great!


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[ResearchinStuff]

Wet wipes daily for armpits and groin, occasionally I'll use a stream to knock the salt off my face. Also put on deodorant daily and liberally apply Vaseline to all friction areas. High moisture areas get daily anti fungal cream too.

 

[The_Yetti]

I take some Sea to Summit body wipes and hit the face/ head, pits, crotch and feet every couple days, it's a mental boost to me. My wife got me some pre-soaped mini sponge things to try. I'll try them this summer when backpacking and then see if they make the cut for first rifle elk this year.

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