August-September 2020 • Nebraskaland 25
scent-eliminating detergent. It's simple — even with scent-
eliminating soap I don't want to put my hunting clothes
in a washing machine that has had hundreds of gallons
of scented laundry detergent put through it. I prefer the
simplicity of a garden hose and a clothesline, but if you really
want to use commercially available scent soap, wash your
clothes by hand in a rubber tub.
The Morning of the Hunt
The morning of a hunt, I wake up and rinse off in the
shower without soap. When I'm finished, I use the towel
that's been hanging on the line to dry off. I believe getting
completely dry is important. Have you ever washed your dog
and noticed the characteristic wet dog smell? Although we
don't notice it, humans put off a similar smell that gradually
goes away as we dry. Drying off with a scentless towel gets
rid of that smell immediately.
After rinsing and drying, I use a scent-free antiperspirant.
While they sell them at outdoor stores, scent-free
antiperspirant is available at most pharmacies and grocery
stores. Take note, there is a difference between antiperspirant
and deodorant. I prefer antiperspirant because it stops scent
from occurring by temporarily blocking your sweat glands
from perspiring rather than trying to neutralize or mask
body odor like deodorant. Antiperspirant also works in other
places besides your arm pits. Any area of your body that
is likely to sweat or smell is a candidate for a swath of
antiperspirant.
After showering, drying and applying antiperspirant, I
put on the clothing that I will drive in to my hunting spot,
including a pair of foam sandals I slip over my socks. By not
wearing my hunting clothing while traveling, I avoid taking
on scent from my vehicle. I place my hunting clothes in a
sealed rubber tub that I put in the back of my truck.
Once I arrive at my hunting location, I change out of the
clothes I'm wearing and put on my hunting clothes, including
a pair of knee-high rubber boots. I like to walk to my stand
with my jacket and other insulating layers in my pack. This
keeps me from sweating while walking and climbing into the
tree. Once I'm in the stand, I layer up and settle in.
Keep in mind that while you walk to the stand you are
leaving a trail of scent behind. This ground scent can alert
Sporting goods stores have entire sections dedicated to scent control. The author forgoes these products and sticks to
a simpler scent-control system that works for him.
PHOTO
BY
JEFF
KURRUS
PHOTO
BY
JEFF
KURRUS
