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Scent Control & Calling: The Devil's in the Details

Posted by Benjamin M. Tangye // December 1, 2009

First, we’d like to introduce a few new clients...

Kansas Land Brokers:  Look for a new site with better navigation and content delivery.

Clark & Company: Originally a stage & cattle company founded in the 1890's, Clark & Company now specializes in California ranch sales & California land management.

The Management Advantage: Look for a new website and online videos from the 10 year running TV show produced by Chuck Sykes.

Second, as my Dad used to say ‘the devils in the details’.  Here’s a first hand story, from a third party’s perspective, on what it takes to harvest monster deer year in and year out.  JJ Dukart whose father owns The Extinguisher Illusion Game Call Systems, tells the story....

"Year after year, Rod White, of LandandGame.com harvests world class whitetails using archery equipment. What is it that leaves top whitetail enthusiasts across the country dropping their jaws in disbelief as to how he does it? Well, after having the chance to film Rod harvest another Boone and Crocket buck a few weeks back, I would have to say… it’s all in a detail.

"This past week I had the chance to put some of these details to the test in my home state of Minnesota, and in a matter of three days on stand, I harvested the largest buck of my life. You can just about imagine how fast I became a believer in Rod’s hunting techniques. Two small details that I directly attribute to harvesting this Minnesota warrior just a few days following my time behind the lens with Rod are categorized in scent control and communication.
When comparing the scent control standards I follow to those used by other hunters I know, I would say I am a bit over the top. However, when comparing these same standards to Rods, I would have to say that I am behind the curve. One detail that I obtained from Rod about scent control is the important process he uses of layering down prior to traveling to the stand. My understanding is that if one can stay cool enough to remain sweat free the entire walk to the stand, a large percentage of bacteria growth can be cut down, and scent dispersal will be kept at a minimum during the hunt. The morning I harvested my buck I walked nearly a half mile to my stand using this layering method, and I did not break a sweat once. A short time after setup a big buck walked in on the exact downwind trail I entered the area on just moments prior. I believe that layering down was a key factor in the eventual harvest of the buck. There is a long list of scent control methods that I learned from Rod which impacted my hunt, but remaining free of sweat for the entire walk is the one that stands out in my mind.

"Growing up tuning and field testing calls for Illusion Game Calling Systems, a family owned business, I can safely say I am above average in my knowledge of communication with wild game of all sorts. But when it comes to communicating with mature whitetails, I can’t imagine too many hunters are more advanced than Rod White. Looking back at the moments leading up to harvesting my buck, a few thoughts went through my head about what Rod taught me dealing with calling in and out of heavy cover. It is much easier to interact with deer in heavy cover due to their limited vision than compared to clear areas where they can see the exact spot sound comes from. In this situation, the buck was walking on a clear path that curved away from my location, giving me no option other than communication to close the gap. Being that I was in an area where the buck had visibility on his side, I had to make my choice of words count. Instead of choosing to create a long tending grunt on my extinguisher deer call, which would have given away my position, I had to fool this buck by using a few short contact grunts when he looked away. After he stood in one spot for nearly five minutes wondering where the sounds came from, he finally became curious enough to walk in and close the gap. This simple detail, subtle communication in a clear area, was all it took to keep my location concealed and bring this buck in.

"My biggest buck to date came just days after getting the opportunity to film Rod. Why do I think it happened such a short time after that one week? It’s all in a detail…"