A big buck has one of the most extraordinary sniffers in the woods and fooling it is easier said than done.  A mature deer's nose can smell 100 times better than a humans nose. A deer can smell human scent as far as 150-200 yards away with a slight breeze and can continue to pick up the scent for several days after. When a deer checks the wind you might see them licking their nose, this helps moisten the scent which allows them to smell better.

Scent is the deer's biggest line of defense over both sound and sight. It is how the deer communicate with one another and how they avoid danger from predators. Deer have many scent glands and leave signs for other deer to pick up on. Scent is a deer's language and is also a hunter's biggest challenge.

Beating a big buck's nose straight up is like beating Peyton Manning in a quarterback challenge. You just have to hope he is having an awfully bad day. One of the easiest ways to fool an old wary buck is to play the wind. Being downwind of a buck with a steady stiff breeze is your best chance of getting close. Your scent molecules are carried by the slightest breeze so if it is blowing away from the deer there is no chance for him to smell you.

Without playing the wind direction game the stakes are definitely increased and only the best of hunters will be prepared enough to still be able to get close to a deer. Many articles on deer hunting tips and scent control have been written but season after season I see so many hunters not paying attention to their scent. I guess they are not that serious about hunting or they think every deer within range is going to come in on them upwind; not a very likely scenario.

I love it when I see a hunter early in the morning in full camouflage putting gas in his truck. He'll pump his gas getting fumes all over his clothes and then walk right into the woods and hunt for the next couple of hours wondering why he didn't see anything. He blames it on the fact that "the deer weren't moving" or some other lame excuse and never entertains the idea that his scent scared off every deer in the county.

To trick a deer's nose I definitely say always play the wind. You should have several stands set up for different wind directions. Be disciplined and never sit in a particular stand when the wind is not right! One sit in a stand when the wind is blowing the wrong way and you may have just ruined that spot for the season as far as shooting a mature buck. If the wind changes directions while you are on stand then climb down and move or just head back in, it isn't worth screwing up a good stand location.

Today there are so many scent control products on the market that there is really no excuse for any hunter not to take advantage of them.  Some of the products that produce the best results are the scent neutralizers, scent control clothes, and the soaps (body and laundry).

To start you first have to remove as many dead skin cells off of you as possible. You should shower just before every hunt using one of the scent free body soaps and shampoos. Personally I like to dry off with a towel that has been washed with my hunting clothes using scent control laundry soap. I even go as far as to use the Dead Down Wind fabric softener sheets in the drier. If you have a scent free isolated place to hang your clothes outside, letting them air dry will also work well.

After showering use a hunter's deodorant just in case you begin to get a little warm walking to the stand. I'll throw on some street clothes that have also been washed with the hunting laundry soap. I will then get out of the house, cabin,  or camp as soon as possible; hanging around will only increase the chance of some type of human scent contaminating you again. Always store your hunting clothes in a scent free bag. There are quite a few carbon and charcoal lined bags that will keep out any unwanted scent molecules. If you do not have one, a good sized plastic garbage bag will also work.

Once arriving to your hunting location sit in the vehicle for a minute to allow any lingering exhaust fumes to blow away. I always get dressed into my hunting clothes in the field. A lot of hunters will skip this step. But nothing can sabotage your hunt like wearing your hunting clothes in your scent contaminated vehicle. Unless you have somehow made your vehicle's interior completely scent free, I don't recommend getting dressed beforehand.

I like putting on a scent free base layer first. These base layer materials play a huge part in controlling any body heat and keeping you dry. Next I will put on my outside layer followed by a dousing down of a scent neutralizing spray. I will spray all my clothes, any fanny packs, my equipment, and anything going to the stand with me. It is also advised to wear scent control gloves and a head garment of some type, and always wear rubber boots.

Now if you begin to get warm or sweat, the base layer will wick the sweat off your skin and will pass it through itself where it is then absorbed by the next layer. This keeps you dry, warm, and scent free. Sweat is a hunter's enemy. On hot days I may not button up or put on my gloves and mask until I get to the stand for fear of getting too hot. Walking slow and taking your time is your best bet.

Once you hit the stand check the wind to be sure you are set up right. I recommend then spraying a breath neutralizer in your mouth and even popping in a piece of hunter's gum. I truly believe, in the right situation, a big buck can smell what you had for breakfast on your breath if you are not careful.

Too many hunters will not take all of these necessary steps and won't even realize they are cutting themselves short. When hunting the elusive whitetail it is best to take advantage of every opportunity. Why not increase your chances? I see guys wearing their hunting clothes in their vehicles and then getting out and spraying down with scent neutralizer or showering properly but then throwing on their hunting coveralls that have been hanging in the garage all week; not good.

Making some type of effort is better than making no effort at all. But playing the wind and following these hunting scent control tips will increase your chances of downing a trophy sized animal this hunting season.