Scent Elimination Sprays and Soaps: Reducing the Smell Factor
The scent elimination body and hair soaps are a must. They do not contain any fragrances and they kill bacteria on the skin and scalp that cause odors. The bacteria will come back, but bathing with them daily is a good start.
Recent Articles
-
Bugling Bull Game Calls made by Rockie and Corie Jacobson
Bugling Bull Game Calls and Rocky Mountain Hunting Calls, by Rockie and Corie Jacobson, are available with free U.S. shipping over $50. The Jacobsons are the first family of elk calling! Steve Chapell…
Continue your scent elimination process with a scent free laundry 
detergent made for hunters. These products will not add fragrances and will have something in it to kill bacteria. They will also not add “whiteners and brighteners” that will make your camouflage clothing stand out like a neon sign to elk and deer.
Now, that said, I have noticed that towels washed in some of these laundry detergents sometimes still have a slight musty odor on them. That smell can come from your dryer. Possibly because it didn’t get dried soon enough after washing, or by picking up a smell from the dryer itself. If I can smell that, the elk can certainly smell it after I’ve dried off with it.
Line drying your hunting clothes will improve your scent elimination results. (I hate to use that word, since scent elimination is not possible, but that is the commonly used terminology.) I’ve noticed that towels and clothing, if line dried, do not have residual smells (as perceived with the human nose). Be careful not to hang them in areas that might transmit BBQ grill odors or
other yard and camp smells.
Scent-A-Way type dryer sheets can also help with that problem.
Scent Stopper Sprays
The next step is to spray towels and clothing with a “human
After the spray is mostly dry, store the treated clothing and towels in an airtight plastic bag or clean plastic tub (that has been sprayed inside). Handle them only with clean hands when taking them out. I wash my hands with scent free soap before touching them. After you have gone to all that trouble, if you really want to do it right, consider not donning those clothes until you get to your hunting site. Wear light clothing for the hike in, then change to your treated camo and spray them again. Don't forget to spray your boots. The volume of spray needed to do a thorough job daily adds up. Buy big volumes and save money.
Hat, Boots and Other Gear
That takes care of your clothing and towels. What about your hat? Get a new one every year, or for a favorite, wash it by hand often with scent free soap. Spray it down daily before going hunting, inside and out. Don’t wear it around camp soaking up the smells of the fire, etc. Perhaps you can change to a camp hat instead. One that does not go hunting with you.
What about your backpack? How often does that get washed? How often is that thrown around in the pickup or the tent soaking up all kinds of odors? Wash it at least annually and spray it down often, too. Remember your belt and other things that don’t get washed.
I spray the inside of my boots at the end of the day with scent elimination spray and allow that to dry before I wear them again. I put a layer of spray on the outside of my boots after putting them on.
Think about the equipment that you take hunting with you. Spray or wipe it down with scent elimination spray, if you want to cut back on more unwelcome scents.
I’ll be frank with you. I don’t agonize over spraying every little thing that goes along with me. If it takes the fun out of hunting, it ain’t worth it. I do reasonable things religiously and take some chances with some of the details.
(How far do you take scent control?)
Types of Sprays
There are “recipes” for homemade scent control hunting sprays on the Internet, but they can be quite harmful to skin and it is difficult to get just the right concentration of hydrogen peroxide. You could mix baking soda with distilled water with some safe, reasonable results, but it might be hard to keep it mixed up. Most of the sprays on the market probably also contain triclosan, which kills bacteria chemically.
X Scent Silver XP Scent Eliminator Spray is a relatively new 
product and will prove to be quite effective as it attacks odors from two directions. The manufacturers are very secretive about what their products are made of. I think the usual odor modifying solution in other sprays is also in Silver XP, but this product also has colloidal silver added to it that kills bacteria on contact. It costs more than Scent-Away or Scent Killer, but is probably more effective. I have not forked over the cash for it yet, but it looks like a great product.
Scent Covers and Attractants
Scent covers are suspect in my thinking. Common sense tells me adding an odor to another odor, does nothing to eliminate or reduce the other odor. It might work on the human nose, but elk can smell and identify each one (actually many) all at once.
Scent attractants are another story. They do attract what they are made to attract (if the elk or deer is in the mood and the timing is right), but do not expect these to actually cover your scent either. If a bull smells a cow in heat and a human at the same time, he’s out of there!
Control the Wind If You Can,
Use Attractant If You Can't
On the other hand, if I find myself upwind of a bull and can’t move, I’m pulling the cow-in-heat spray out of my pocket and letting it fly his way! It can’t hurt, but I’ll work the wind first, if I have an opportunity. If the wind is right, my scent attractant spray won’t reach him, but neither will my human scent.
Remember odors that come from your mouth. Toothpaste has strong aromatic ingredients in it. I tried some “camouflage gum” and was surprised to find that it had a very strong chlorophyll smell. OK, so chlorophyll is all over the place in nature, but nature doesn’t seem to have an overwhelmingly strong chlorophyll smell like the gum!
On the other hand, the smell will wane in a few minutes as it gets washed down with saliva. Maybe it would be better than having your breath smelling like toothpaste, sausage or coffee.
Plain old baking soda makes a great scent eliminating tooth paste. Just put some on a wet tooth brush.
Scent elimination (control) is the ultimate goal and there are many excellent products available to help you work toward that end while hunting an animal with a very sharp snout.
For our Scent Control Hunting Clothing Review page. Click here.
Please subscribe to or our Quick Elk Hunting Tips and Updatesnewsletter or to an RSS feed (see left column for both) to be alerted whenever new information is added to the site.
We'd appreciate it if you would "Like" us on Facebook, or share this site with others.
Search this site here:
Return to Scent Control Hunting page, from Scent Elimination (sprays, soaps and deteregents) page
Comments:
Hector, TX: "Wow, that was fast! It's very pleasant to see your sincere spirit of service and customer care... You are doing way more than selling products to customers like me...we are getting tremendous value from all you do with your site and your business."
Tim, AZ: "This morning, she was 145# on the hook. I definitely owe some of my success to your website and your products. Thanks again!"
Jesse, NM: "I just wanted to thank you for taking the time and energy
in creating such an amazing and helpful website. As a new hunter, this provides
an excellent guide to approaching elk hunting. I just wanted to thank you for
sharing such a wealth of knowledge, and giving us new hunters a fighting chance
of filling a tag. You guys are amazing!!!"
Skip, (Tucson, AZ) "Your Elk Hunting Tips Web Site is the best, most helpful
one I have ever seen. I read and profit more than I can tell you. I just wanted
to tell you THANKS!
P. Scott, (BC 2016) "I would like to thank my hunting partner for the great company & this website for the wealth of information that I have gleaned & also the gear bought as every bit of info etc. is required to harvest one of these regal animals."
Thomas (OR), "Reading your tips has helped me to formulate a hopefully
positive and safe game plan for the 2014 elk season!"
Travis (WI), "I just wanted to say thank you for your site, and helpful emails! I got several useful tips from you, and your site. ...got to put the smack down on my first elk, a beautiful New Mexico 300 class bull."
Tristan, Superior, CO: "I feel like I could go on forever here, I just get so excited talking about elk and I don't know many other hunters… Thanks again for the gear, and the website. I have found it to be very useful and enlightening.
Jordan, MT: "Your website is a great help! I wanted to personally thank you for the great tips on hunting elk. I am extremely excited for this elk rifle season as its my first. I wish you luck during your hunts and God bless!"
Shop Our Store
Newsletter Opt-in:
"I just get so excited talking about elk.." ~Tristan, CO
Search This Site Here:
Hunting Gear Reviews
ASAT CamoElkNut Outdoor Prod.
Bugling Bull Game Calls
HECS Stealthscreen
Montana Decoy
StringSling Bow Sling
Skull Hookers
Safari Sling Rifle Sling
Clip-Shot Mini Camera Mount
ASAT Camo
Bugling Bull
Game Calls
ElkNut Productions
Free Shipping on
ElkNut Products Here
HECS Stealthscreen:
A New Type of Concealment!
$199.99,
Including U.S. Shipping
Montana Decoy Elk/Deer
Available Here!
The StringSling:
Best Bow Sling Design!
$29.95, Including U.S. Shipping
Clip-Shot: 1 oz. Camera Mount
Skull Hookers
$34.99 & 59.99 Free U.S. Shipping!
The Safari Sling:
Best Rifle Sling Design!
Share your elk hunting pictures and stories on our
Facebook Page!
Forum Topic Discussions:
How often should I use my cow call?, I am new to the sport of bow hunting elk and my question is how often should I use my cow calls?
295 yard kill with a Kimber Montana 325 WSM, by Don from Dallas: My ELk did not even twitch once. He was dead when he hit the ground.
325 WSM is worth considering, Palmer Lake,CO: I believe that the .325 WSM is the ultimate elk caliber...
30-30 for Elk? : I have a 30 30 with 170 grain round nose bullet. Will this work to shoot an elk ?
(More comments about Best Elk Rifle below)
Submissions
Unique Elk Talk by Idaho Steve (Hailey, Id ), In the middle of the night, a herd of elk came traveling through the drainage and right past my tent...
Smelly Elk Areas? by Jimmy (New Mexico), I've come across many areas that just stink of elk, literally. I have heard two somewhat contradictory stories...
DIY Gear List Must Have's! by Craig (Florida) "Here are some of the items I use on my DIY hunts in the CO backcountry..."
Elk and Deer Hunting and Mountain Bikes, by Skip Shepherd (Tucson, AZ)~ At 67 I am thinking a lot about investing in a mountain bike to get back into remote areas...
Solo archery hunting -- tips for calling/set up?, by Idaho Steve (Hailey, ID )~ I hunt by myself a lot...I'd love to hear your thoughts on strategic set-ups when solo hunting and calling.
Non- Lead Bullets for Elk?, by Dave, Elk Hunting Tips.Net (Garrison, MT)~ What do you ballistics guys think about the use of non-lead bullets for elk? According to this story...
Rage Broadheads by Chris, ...my buddy gave me a rage practice tip and when I shot it you could not pick out the broadhead from the field points. I was sold...
Recent Submissions:
Finally filled the freezer..., Colorado Rockies~ "I was bummed when I got to the property and no elk, nor any hoof prints in the snow. ...I pulled each of the elk into shade then started gutting..."
Wounded Veteran Elk hunts, by Joshua FL), I am a disabled veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and have always dreamed of hunting elk. I am posting this to see if anyone would know of any elk hunts free to disabled vets....
First Elk with a Bow, by Ryan H. (Colorado), ...Finally after many years of hunting with a bow "I got er did"!
First Elk!, by Tater (Sheridan, Arkansas) I took the advice I received from this website and was successful…I wanted to Thank You and Your Forum and the folks that share on here for the knowledge and information that helped me find an elk I was quite happy with.
Any success in Unit 14?, by: Dave (MI), "I'm planning on doing a DIY in Unit 14 for 2012..."
Bugle in Herd bulls, by Swiltbank (Az) The key to calling in a herd bull is to get into his bedding grounds and threaten his herd. Start off sounding like…
Best Rifle Caliber?, by Buglemup (Superior, MT), "I've been reading what people have been writing about rifle calibers and here is what 16 years of guiding elk has taught me."
7mm Remington Magnum, by Dean (Helena, MT. USA) I use my Liberty Ruger M77, 7mm Rem. Mag. for antelope, deer, elk... Comment: "What do you guys think about the idea of hunting elk with a 270? I also know a guy who kills elk with a 243."
338 Marlin Express, "Light, fast shooting, hard hitting, manageable recoil, and for a lever gun - very accurate."
Guns I like for Elk, by Mountain Walker (Kootenays east B.C. Canada),"I think the gun you shoot Elk with should be one you shoot a lot with... "
.35 Remington, by Bill Smith "...my .35 Rem appears to have dropped a medium deer flawlessly, but I now have serious doubts as to its capability to take an elk."
Where to hunt in Az unit 3B?, by Cliffjumper (Tucson, Az) ~ I got a late bull muzzle loader hunt in Arizona unit 3b. Does anyone know how to hunt bulls in the late season?...
First time elk hunter hunting Arizona unit 6A , by Rob Marchio (Omaha, Ne)~ I'm a first time elk hunter hunting Arizona's unit 6A. I'm planning on staying in the Pine Grove campground...
Help needed for 1st DIY Hunt w/Son, by Patrick (Parker, CO), "I was looking for some advice on my 1st DIY hunt for 2014 in CO with my 13 yr old son. I have countless hrs going over stats, topo maps & Google Earth"
Elk Hunting Colorado in 2013, By William (Midland, TX) "I am planning an elk hunt next year in Colorado and I wanted to know if hunting Gunnison National Forest..."
Unit 60 Elk 4th Rifle Season Nov 13-17 Either Sex 2013, By Chester "...Any general advice about the unit would be appreciated!"
Elk Hunting Idaho Unit 8 8A 11, This is my first year seriously trying to track down some elk. Is there anyone that has hunted in any of these units and can give me some friendly advice? Mitchell, Moscow Idaho
Elk Hunting Pocatello by Cameron (Pocatello) Where is the best place to elk hunt around Pocatello, Idaho? I'm a student at ISU and I'm looking for somewhere around here to hunt next season.
How is the elk hunting in unit 30A in Idaho?, by Terry (Richland Center, WI) Has anyone archery elk hunted in unit 30A in Idaho? What can you tell me about the area?
Hunting in Western Montana, by Mike A. (Alabama)
I did not draw a tag for Missouri breaks where I have hunted in the past. Having to start over and try western Montana.
New Mexico Unit 49, by Silas (Los Alamos, NM)
If anyone has tips on areas to start scouting, I'd really appreciate it.
First Elk Hunt First Elk Hunt, by Big "R" (NM)
I finally got drawn for a late elk hunt in Unit 28, north of Road 506 and south of the boundary line of the Lincoln National Forest...
Cow elk in Nevada's unit 222:
"Any good places known in unit 222?"
Northeast Nevada Early Elk hunt, by John (Carson City,NV)
"Any suggestions on what areas I may see some signs of elk?"
Retired USMC MSgt Needs Advice, by Ken Wing USMCRET (Bealeton, Va)
Popcorn VenisonPopcorn Venison with Maple Syrup?
Elk or Venison Steaks Grilled to Perfection Here's how to turn them into steakhouse steaks!
Spice-Crusted Grilled Venison Roast Recipe This Spice-Crusted, Grilled Venison Roast recipe works great for any red meat roasts, including elk, deer or beef roast...
Corned Elk Recipe You can easily make corned venison and elk, moose or corned beef from these instructions...
New! Comments
Leave a comment in the box below.