Why Scent Blocker?

[Grizz]

Ok, please don't think my question is so easy b/c of the title, I'm hoping I can explain in further detail...

At some point in our lives we were all introduced to hunting, and one of the first lessons we learned was that the animals we were in pursuit of had higher senses than we did, namely smell and hearing. And such is the case when hunting deer, whether they be Whitetails, Mule Deer, Blacktails, Elk, Moose, ect. We were taught to cover up our human scent as much as possible, and to always use the wind to our advantage to keep ourselves hidden from the sensative noses of our four legged friends. And this is where my question lies.

Why do I see so many of the Pro Staff as well as other notable hunters always using Scent Blocker Clothes and apparel? Is it b/c it's the best scent eliminator out there, is it b/c they have a sponsorship and are contracted to wear it, or is there another reason why so many choose to wear it?

I've been contemplating about whether or not I need to start using Scent Blocker clothes when hunting, but have a hard time giving up my method of washing my camo in scent eliminating detergents, and then storing them in an air tight, earth scented bag, and then spraying myself down with odor eliminating spray before entering the woods...
1.) B/C it is far more cost effective for me to do so, b/c sometimes looking at the price of Scent Blocker clothing makes my jaw drop.
2.) And I've never had a deer wind me with the method I use now. There have been many times when I've had deer directly underneathe my tree or within bow range, and even with a slight wind I've never had one give the whitetail salute and take off b/c they caught a wiff of me. Now don't get me wrong I've been winded before, but never when using my designated clothes and being in a tree. It's always happened to me while ground hunting.

I also have heard that Scent Blocker uses carbon in some way to help mask our scent. Could any of you explain the pro's and con's of that to me? If Scent Blocker really is the best out there then I'll for sure start to use it, but I was just wondering, is it really worth it?

[monsterbucks1]

I will tell you why I use scentblocker. I have done the same thing as you were doing now, then I wanted to try Scentblocker to give it a shot. I was very surprised on how it works. I am not Trying to sell it for Scentblocker I am just a reg. hunter like you. But where I live the wind is never the same the weather changed in an instant. I have seen more deer up close and personel with it on then the old way. I still take the scent free shower and spray the heck out of everything with the scent eliminator. I have had the biggest buck of mylifetime pass by my stand last year one of many that I have been hunting and trying to get so close for so many years. I had a doe in heat scent out the wind was blowing towards him at a pretty good gust and he was even bothered that I was only 25 yards from him. I missed shooter error or other wise I would be showing pics but i truly believe that this works just the other day i sprayed wd40 on a bolt and then I sprayed it with the scentblocker spray smell was gone. Now i am a pretty big guy and when that buck came in that close i was already warm and sweaty and the sweat started to roll when he came closer he never winded me. I am a Believer And I will not go back to the old way, and also they has some quiet and warm clothing to keep you sitting longer another good reason for it. any more question feel free to pm.

[stevebeilgard]

scent blocker is the best available, imho, and is used as another tool in our arsenal in our pursuit.

[crazylegz70]

i personally say go with what works. If you are happy with your current position, then stick with it. If you get the extra cash and want to try scent Blocker stuff, then try it...

[Grizz]

Can anyone explain how the carbon works with Scent Blocker?

If ya haven't noticed I like to do my homework before making any final decisions, lol.

[MUDRUNNER]

I have a scent blocker suit that I won two years ago.I totally agree that carbon clothing works.The thing I am not sold on is the re-activation.I have read studies that say a dryer does not get near hot enough to re-activate the carbon.I also believe, correct me if I'm wrong, that the carbon in garments are only good for a year or two, and with the price of the stuff it's hard to justify replacing all your camo every one or two years.

[Rhino]

scent blocker is the best available, imho, and is used as another tool in our arsenal in our pursuit.

Same here but I still go through all my scent reduction rituals like you mentioned except I skip the spray on scent elimination stuff. These suits are not an excuse to get lax on your scent reduction rituals before you put them on. Like Steve said, they are just another scent reduction tool.

I don't use scent blocker but other competitor's charcoal lined cloths. I know they seem expensive but if you think about how long they last since you don't have to wash them unless they get soiled on the outside, the cost/hunt is cheaper than regular camo IMHO (at least for me). In the past I washed all my regular camo cloths after each hunt and they were fadded out before the end of the season. I do spend between 50 and 60 days in the woods though. Some of my old Suppresent charcoal lined suits are about 10 years old now and show very little fadding so far.

By the way, I captured some video footage in Iowa a few years ago while set up on the ground. 2 bucks came in with a doe and stopped downwind of me inside the 20 yard line. They never knew I was there. That's one instance that I recall off hand when I didn't get picked off at ground level and I wasn't inside a commercial blind either.

[Grizz]

The thing I am not sold on is the re-activation.I have read studies that say a dryer does not get near hot enough to re-activate the carbon.I also believe, correct me if I'm wrong, that the carbon in garments are only good for a year or two, and with the price of the stuff it's hard to justify replacing all your camo every one or two years.

That's what has me unsure as well. I've heard that the life of the carbon is fairly short lived and I'd hate to spend so much on camo, only to be able to use it for 2 years and have to spend an equal or greater amount on more camo. That's why I was hoping someone could shed some more light on the subject.

[GWSmith]

...The thing I am not sold on is the re-activation.I have read studies that say a dryer does not get near hot enough to re-activate the carbon.

Would that be these articles:
http://www.fastestbows.com/articles/...cent_suits.htm

http://www.fastestbows.com/articles/...uits_deuce.htm

[BR44]

My brother swears by it. I for years used the same old method, MAINLY, because of the $'s for the outfits. One thing to keep in mind, off season closeouts. I came across base layers for 29.95 each back last spring, so I figured I'd give them a try. Hopefully soon! Good Luck !