Cover Scents
Filed under: Ask Grant, Hunting Tactics
Hey Grant, It’s Chris again from northern Pennsylvania! I have a bunch of questions for you… First off, I think you said something at the QDMA convention in Kentucky about using deer scent such as regular doe pee in the woods and having it contaminate the whole area. I use Tinks regular doe pee all year as a cover scent. I spray it on my boots when I check my cameras and while I’m observing deer in a tower I hang a scent wick. By using so much urine does it have a bad effect on the deer herd? I also spray down with earth scent, so if they smell anything it should be doe pee. My next question is about shot placement. I’ve heard all about deer living on one lung, especially rutted up bucks. My concern is if I should take a straight down shot or not? My dad always taught me to shoot down through the lungs on this shot and aim a couple inches from the spine. Is this a clean shot? It seems at that angle it would just go down and destroy one lung. What is your take on this shot? Chris
Chris,
I think it is difficult for humans to understand how good a deer’s sense of smell is. Most researchers believe deer can easily smell the cover scent, the human the cover scent is on, and probably what he had for breakfast several days ago. I try to avoid anything, including scents that will attract a deer’s attention.
I will share that I know two hunters that have constantly smoked cigarettes for years – even while hunting. They harvest mature bucks on a regular basis in areas were mature bucks are rare and receive a lot of hunting pressure. I’m convinced that after years of chain smoking, these hunters’ bodies don’t smell like a normal human. I don’t believe the risk of cancer is worth being a successful hunter, but it does make me think about cover scents. I think for cover scents to be effective, they must mask all human odors, including exhaled breath, etc. That’s difficult to do.
As to your second question, I do not knowingly take shots that will only penetrate one lung. Such shots typically result in an extended recovery trail, or even worse a non-recovered or wounded animal. Shot placement opportunities are an important consideration in stand placement and even more important when a shot possibility occurs. Wait for the opportunity to penetrate both lungs and the outcome will be much better!
Growing Deer together,
Grant
