Print Page | Close Window

The hunting gimmicks vs. useful gear thread

Printed From: OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc.
Category: Hunting, Fishing & General Outdoors
Forum Name: General Hunting
Forum Description: Techniques, tips, stories, general discussion, etc.
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=27086
Printed Date: March/29/2024 at 06:06
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: The hunting gimmicks vs. useful gear thread
Posted By: RifleDude
Subject: The hunting gimmicks vs. useful gear thread
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 10:43

I've been thinking about this discussion for awhile, and thought it would be helpful to all us hunters if we could compare notes on all the various gadgets and random "stuff" that vendors claim is THE answer for bagging that trophy buck/bull/bruin/boar/tom.  I'm an admitted gadget guy, and I'll try lots of things once, but I have to admit that I've found most hunting gadgets touted to be the best things since the invention of the wheel outside of the essentials like a good rifle, good optics, good boots, and good clothes have left me very underwhelmed.

So, here's the thread to talk about the stuff that works and doesn't work, the truly useful and the ripoffs in calls, decoys, scents, scent elimination products, blood trailing lights, etc., etc., etc. 
 
I would like to start this thread by discussing estrous ("doe in heat") deer scents.
 
I've tried pretty much every major brand and form of estrous scents available today, and I've NEVER seen conclusive evidence that they really work.  I've hung wafers, sprayed atomized clouds of stink, dragged scent impregnated rags, squirted smelly liquids and gels on branches... and I've never accomplished anything from my efforts other than wasting money and making everything around me, my clothes, and my gear stink like hell!
 
Deer (and most other game animals) are very scent-oriented.  They rely on their sense of smell for food, avoiding danger, and reproduction.  So, it seems logical to me that these estrous scents SHOULD work during the stages of the rut. 
 
The fact remains, however, that despite YEARS of extensive use, they never have worked for me.  Nor have I ever talked to anyone not affiliated with an advertisement or endorsement tell me that they've positively witnessed these scents work.  By "work," I don't mean a buck walked out, happened to walk by the scent and sniffed it out of curiosity, causing him to pause momentarily; I mean a buck came trotting in directly toward the source of the scent, obviously attracted to it.
 
There are several suppliers that advertise their estrous scents come direcly from live does.  It would seem that if this is indeed true, they should work.  So, I'm not sure why I've never had any success with them.
 
I did an experiment 2 years ago.  I applied some of the "100% natural, from the source" scent to a tree limb at chest height along a well-traveled deer trail right in front of one of my game cameras.  I was wearing rubber boots and made sure that I did not actually touch anything in the area so I wouldn't contaminate the site with my scent.  The timing was in the peak of the rut, which in my area is right before and after Thanksgiving.  I retrieved my camera card 2 weeks later and saw no increased buck activity.  None of the bucks in my pics showed any noticeable interest in the estrous-scented limb whatsoever, or if they did, it happened during the delay between pics.
 
On multiple occasions during the rut, I've witnessed bucks even walk right past (within a few feet of) the scent locations, and not one of them has paid any attention to it beyond casually sniffing it and moving on.
 
I don't know what to make of this, so my theory is that there is some component (pheromone perhaps) of the scent beyond the stink itself that must be lost when it isn't fresh.  Maybe these scents are too contaminated with other agents that they no longer smell like a doe in heat to a buck.  Perhaps there is some element to a doe's estrous scent that is unique to the region they live or is affected by their diet.  Or, maybe the suppliers are just putting some random stinky liquid in a bottle and telling us hunters that this is what a doe in heat smells like. 
 
I'm open-minded enough to accept that maybe some of these scents work some of the time under some conditions and for whatever reason(s), these conditions have just never been right during the times I've used them.  Heck, I saw a video once of a buck attacking a hunter that supposedly had spilled some estrous scent on him.  Who knows if that was the real reason for the attack.
 
So... lets hear it.  Any of you folks ever had any luck with any of these attractant scents?


-------------
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.



Replies:
Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 10:48

i have seen similar results with store bought stuff, nothing.  i have however  used fresh, harvested the day before stuff and seen a few smaller bucks jump on a drag line i used it on within 30-45 min period of running it.



Posted By: lucytuma
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 10:49
I'm with you Ted on the scents, I've actually found that at times these scents steer deer away.   Carbon Suits are another big fallacy and much of it has lead to numerous law suits.

-------------
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson


Posted By: Bigdaddy0381
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 10:58

 I have seen deer actually notice attractant scents twice. one was a small doe and the other was a 3 pointer. Both was tinks 69. I have used many many bottles of it.

 

 



-------------
P&Z Firearms , Pro gun cleanings and gun repair and wood refinishing.

Ecclesiastes 10:2


Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 11:15
Originally posted by Bigdaddy0381 Bigdaddy0381 wrote:

 I have seen deer actually notice attractant scents twice. one was a small doe and the other was a 3 pointer. Both was tinks 69. I have used many many bottles of it.

 
By "notice," do you mean the buck came running toward it, obviously excited by it, or the deer just curiously sniffed it the same as they might if you'd dumped out a chocolate sundae there?


-------------
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.


Posted By: lucytuma
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 11:15

One of my favorite gadgets is the shoot and see targets, even though they're alittle pricey, they sure make detecting bullet holes much easier.



-------------
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson


Posted By: Bigdaddy0381
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 11:19
Originally posted by RifleDude RifleDude wrote:

Originally posted by Bigdaddy0381 Bigdaddy0381 wrote:

 I have seen deer actually notice attractant scents twice. one was a small doe and the other was a 3 pointer. Both was tinks 69. I have used many many bottles of it.

 
By "notice," do you mean the buck came running toward it, obviously excited by it, or the deer just curiously sniffed it the same as they might if you'd dumped out a chocolate sundae there?
 
when i noticed him he had his nose up in the air licking his chops. I'm guessing it brought him in. the doe she just snorted at it as she walked by. i think it has to do with how many doe and how much the buck has got his arsie kick for mounting another bucks doe. If you get cocked block a few times anything smells good.
 


-------------
P&Z Firearms , Pro gun cleanings and gun repair and wood refinishing.

Ecclesiastes 10:2


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 11:25
roflmao!


Posted By: jonoMT
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 11:25
Don't you know you're supposed to use a ghilly suit soaked in estrus?

-------------
Reaction time is a factor...


Posted By: lucytuma
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 11:36
Originally posted by jonoMT jonoMT wrote:

Don't you know you're supposed to use a ghilly suit soaked in estrus?
Ancient Chinese secret.


-------------
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 11:43
  Killed my 1st buck with a bow over a mock scrape scented with Dr. O's.  Anyone remember it?
 
  As far as a cover scent I use red fox urine bought at trapping supply stores.  I've kept all my outer hunting clothes and boots in a big plastic tote with an open qt bottle for yrs.  Every yr something happens that further proves to me that it keeps deer calm and actually attracts them.  This yr I watched a small buck follow my trial to the tree I was in.  Sniffed around a bit and even sniffed the tree.  Went to browzing then bedded down for a good while. 


-------------
"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 11:46
  GOOD idea,Ted.  This should be a fun thread.  I'll have think on some gadgets that I've used.

-------------
"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: 3_tens
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 12:00
I tried an experiment with popcorn once during Archery season several years ago. I popped a garbage bag full of unsalted pop corn and trailed it all the way to may stand. About 20 min. after sunrise I had a covey of quail follow it in. About 20 minutes later a large coon came in and started to munch. He didn't stay very long and left. Then the squirrels came. Lots of squirrels. The coon was gone about 45 minutes then came back with another big coon and 4 smaller ones. The frenzy is on. The squirrels didn't like the coons and a lot of racket ensued. This drew in the crows. Must have been about 20 of them. Squirrels don't like crows either. Now the squirrels are chasing the crows from tree to tree. Barking at the coons as the pass to chase the crows out of the next tree. It was one of the more exciting days spent in the woods. Problem was there was so much noise I never saw any sign of a deer. Popcorn has now been crossed off my list of possable attractants.
Loco


-------------
Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.

Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow
Now the rules have changed again.


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 12:07
 
    And how long did it take to pop all that corn?  Whacko
 
   Unsalted to!  Who says hunters don't care about the wildlife?


-------------
"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: budperm
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 12:07
Possible deer attractant, sounds like it makes for great varmint attractant!  Excellent

-------------
"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".
--Thomas Jefferson





Posted By: Bigdaddy0381
Date Posted: January/14/2011 at 12:10
Originally posted by 3_tens 3_tens wrote:

I tried an experiment with popcorn once during Archery season several years ago. I popped a garbage bag full of unsalted pop corn and trailed it all the way to may stand. About 20 min. after sunrise I had a covey of quail follow it in. About 20 minutes later a large coon came in and started to munch. He didn't stay very long and left. Then the squirrels came. Lots of squirrels. The coon was gone about 45 minutes then came back with another big coon and 4 smaller ones. The frenzy is on. The squirrels didn't like the coons and a lot of racket ensued. This drew in the crows. Must have been about 20 of them. Squirrels don't like crows either. Now the squirrels are chasing the crows from tree to tree. Barking at the coons as the pass to chase the crows out of the next tree. It was one of the more exciting days spent in the woods. Problem was there was so much noise I never saw any sign of a deer. Popcorn has now been crossed off my list of possable attractants.
Loco
 
I did that with HAY one time at a bar out in the middle of now where. it was all fun and games till the 900 pound round bale got ate up. I did meet this nice girl who wanted me to milk her. never figured out what she was talking about. Oh well still good times. Oh it was a hunting trip too!
 


-------------
P&Z Firearms , Pro gun cleanings and gun repair and wood refinishing.

Ecclesiastes 10:2


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: January/17/2011 at 20:23
  Wyoming Knife
 
   Years back I bought one for myself and then got one for a friend for Christmas.  I never even tried mine (kept grabbing my ol'Case folder).  My friend got real good with his.  Anyone else try 'em?
   I do have one of the small Wyoming saws that I use.  Nice!


-------------
"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: Bitterroot Bulls
Date Posted: January/17/2011 at 20:44
Most entrenched gimmick:

 Gulp ... camoflauge.  I don't think the camo hunter has any real advantage over the non-camo.  Every year I end up getting super close to some game animal with a bright orange vest on.  If I'm not moving, they don't see me.  Game was taken for centuries before camo.

I still buy it and wear it, it is part of the hunting culture now.

Best gear you'd think would be a gimmick:

Havalon Piranta Z knifes.  A folding clip knife handle that takes #60 scalpel blades.  One gets dull, pop on another.  No sharpening in the field, no sharpener in your pack.  I just bone out my elk "Alaskan-style" and save myself packing a saw as well.


-------------
-Matt


Posted By: feklar
Date Posted: January/17/2011 at 21:14
On Tink's etc, I've used bottles and bottles of it and never saw a single thing that made me think it "worked."
 
I cut the glands off a hot doe once and hung it in a tree 30 yards from my stand.  I had 2 small bucks come running from downwind grunting like pigs.  That was one time, never to repeat itself.
 
Other gimmicks:
"Camo orange" and UV spray!
 
 


Posted By: Terry Lamb
Date Posted: January/18/2011 at 10:32
Wahoo! A great thread idea!
For the last five seasons I have used a large variety of "estrous" scents, and have yet to see any whitetail pay any attention casually, much less seem to be "attracted" by them. Not once.
 
During the same five seasons I have used the little Primos can calls during rut peak, and five years in a row have called in and taken bucks. Three out of five came in at a trot, and the other two just walked in to find the doe. In deer talk, the cans evidently make a noise akin to "oh, hurry big boy, I don't know if I can wait any longer..."
 
These simple little devices have been amazing, and don't smell up your pockets either!


-------------
Terry Lamb


Posted By: supertool73
Date Posted: January/18/2011 at 11:19
Originally posted by Bitterroot Bulls Bitterroot Bulls wrote:

Most entrenched gimmick:

 Gulp ... camoflauge.  I don't think the camo hunter has any real advantage over the non-camo.  Every year I end up getting super close to some game animal with a bright orange vest on.  If I'm not moving, they don't see me.  Game was taken for centuries before camo.

I still buy it and wear it, it is part of the hunting culture now.

Best gear you'd think would be a gimmick:

Havalon Piranta Z knifes.  A folding clip knife handle that takes #60 scalpel blades.  One gets dull, pop on another.  No sharpening in the field, no sharpener in your pack.  I just bone out my elk "Alaskan-style" and save myself packing a saw as well.


I agree about the camo thing, I think it is a waste.  I had 4 bucks once walk up on me within 20 yards. I was in kahki pants and a white long t shirt.  I was sitting in front of a brush, they looked at more for a minute then kept feeding.  I shot the biggest one.

The reason why I buy it is they have developed material that is pretty quiet and does not collect burrs and stickers like a lot of other day to day clothes I wear.  Plus they have a lot of nice waterproof stuff these day which is nice for the wet hunts.


-------------
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."


Posted By: robbie
Date Posted: January/21/2011 at 20:15
Originally posted by Bitterroot Bulls Bitterroot Bulls wrote:


 Best gear you'd think would be a gimmick:
Havalon Piranta Z knifes.  A folding clip knife handle that takes #60 scalpel blades.  One gets dull, pop on another.  No sharpening in the field, no sharpener in your pack.  I just bone out my elk "Alaskan-style" and save myself packing a saw as well.
Had never heard of this before, but google it and it looks interesting.  I'm assuming you are saying that you actually use one?  Any particular model?
Do you only yse to skin or for other functions? Butchering?
Thanks


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: January/21/2011 at 20:33

 .



-------------
"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: Bitterroot Bulls
Date Posted: January/21/2011 at 20:36
I have been using one for five years.  I first saw them in a taxidermy catalog.  I use them for skinning and boning in the field, and trophy care.

I have my game professionally processed, so I don't know how good they would be for all-out butchering.  I would probably use a long, flexible boning knife for doing that, but I am certain the Piranta Z would do in a pinch.

I can not stress enough how nice these knives are.  There is no need for a large knife to bone out even large game like elk and moose in the field.  I don't gut out my game, so all I need is a good sharp, precise knife.  A scalpel is perfect.

I use the black Piranta Z knife.  If I bought one now I would get the bright orange, so I could see it easier in the snow.  Just be careful changing out the blades!

The one issue I have is I occasionally have to tighten the tiny screws holding the pocket clip on the handle.


-------------
-Matt


Posted By: Roy Finn
Date Posted: January/21/2011 at 20:59
Originally posted by 300S&W 300S&W wrote:

  Killed my 1st buck with a bow over a mock scrape scented with Dr. O's.  Anyone remember it?
 
 
OMG, that was one crazy dude. I used to stop by his booth at the Harrisburg show just to phuck with him. I honestly can't remember ever seeing that dude sober. The only thing that stuff ever attracted were flies. He did have a good scent dispenser (kinda looked like a cigar tube container with a "wick") that I used with Tink's 69. Dr. "O"................that gave me a chuckle.
 
Here's an oldie but a goodie.........
 


Posted By: Roy Finn
Date Posted: January/21/2011 at 21:03
Can't believe no one's mentioned the " Butt-Out" tool yet..


Posted By: robbie
Date Posted: January/21/2011 at 21:03
Thanks Bitter, I'll try one....


Posted By: tman1965
Date Posted: January/21/2011 at 21:46
I have never had any luck using any kind of scent or grunt tubes.. I'm with LT on the targets too, I do like those shoot-n-see's! I also like those little hand warmer packs, and reflective thumb tacks. I also did not have any luck with the butt out tool... pulled out about 3 miles of intestine and something that I'm guessing was at one time a nut.


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: January/22/2011 at 06:07
Originally posted by Roy Finn Roy Finn wrote:

Originally posted by 300S&W 300S&W wrote:

  Killed my 1st buck with a bow over a mock scrape scented with Dr. O's.  Anyone remember it?
 
 
OMG, that was one crazy dude. I used to stop by his booth at the Harrisburg show just to phuck with him. I honestly can't remember ever seeing that dude sober. The only thing that stuff ever attracted were flies. He did have a good scent dispenser (kinda looked like a cigar tube container with a "wick") that I used with Tink's 69. Dr. "O"................that gave me a chuckle.
 
Here's an oldie but a goodie.........
 
 
 
   ExcellentExcellentExcellent!!!   Yep,that's the guy.  He was a TRIP.  I met him twice in Harrisburg.  I only used two bottles of his stuff before it and him disappeared.  It seemed to work well enough. It pulled the first deer I took with a bow (BIG spike) right off his trail to my mock scrap.  Darn deer was licking it off the ground.  In those early yrs I was still in the habit of setting up too close to trails and such.  That mock scrap was 6ft from the base of the tree I was in.


-------------
"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: JGRaider
Date Posted: January/22/2011 at 08:31
These binocular eyecups work like a charm.  I can't believe the difference they make..

http://www.fieldopticsresearch.com/

Another "trick" I've been using for years is, after field dressing your game, use diet coke to wash your hands.....you'll be amazed how clean they get.  Much better than water.  

I'm with you guys on camo, butt-out tool, scentlok suits, and scents.......a marketing ploy at best.  A big thumbs up to the piranta knife too.    


Posted By: Roy Finn
Date Posted: January/22/2011 at 14:17
I've talked to the "Doctor" a couple of times and he was actually slurring his words he was so baked. That can't be good for business.
 
Regarding scents, I probably can't say I've had a buck chasing any scent I've laid down but I can say it gets their attention and at the very least, it stops em for an easy shot. I've tried quite a few and the best stuff so far has been Tinks 69.


Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: January/23/2011 at 08:37
Good discussion, gents! 

On the estrous scents:  it seems most have had the same lack of luck with it I have.  At best, I can concede with Roy that maybe it makes a deer stop and investigate, giving you time to take a shot.  I still remain a scent skeptic, though.Smile

On camo:  I agree totally -- I don't think it makes any difference whatsoever which camo you use or even if you aren't using camo at all.  We have some pretty high tech, photo-realistic camo these days that look cool and blend in with surroundings nicely.  I've used most of the most common patterns at one time or another.  As long as the wind is to my face, I'm still and quiet, and reasonably well hidden, I've never had a deer notice me visually regardless of what I was wearing.  All these new-fangled camo patterns are designed for one thing -- to attract the hunter and generate gear sales.  Obviously it works in that regard.  I do think it looks cool on certain gear, whether or not it actually works to fool the eyes of critters.  I believe short of wearing a suit of sequins or flashing LED lights, you can get away wearing almost anything while hunting.  I do think you blend into the background better and your movements are less noticeable if you wear some kind of pattern and duller colors, but I don't think you need some high tech camo to accomplish this. 

As was mentioned earlier, camo clothing does have one huge advantage for the hunter, however.  Some of the best clothing and materials for keeping you warm, dry, and quiet happen to be made available in the latest camo patterns.  So, even if the camo itself doesn't provide any real advantage, the clothing it's applied to certainly does. 

I do believe there is one area where camo is important, and that is turkey hunting.  I haven't done any tests to confirm anything, but I do know that turkeys have very good eyesight and you have to be very well hidden to remain undetected.  Much more so than when big game hunting.  I don't know that any particular camo pattern is better than another for turkey hunting, though.

On the scent masking stuff:  I've never seen any concrete proof that the scent blocking clothes or scent eliminating sprays actually work.  I've tried it all -- charcoal lined suits, anti-bacterial soaps, shampoos, and sprays, and silver sprays and wipes -- and have had deer wind me whether I was using that stuff or not.  I've tried being hyper careful of my hunting clothes and storing them in scent proof bags with pine needles, leaves, etc.  The only thing I've found that positively works in preventing animals from smelling human scent is being aware of wind direction and hunting with the wind to my face.

On UV blocking clothes and detergents:  I have no idea, but it sounds like utter b.s. to me, so I don't worry about whether or not my hunting clothes are reflecting UV light. 

On calls:  I have had the doe bleat "cans" work a couple times.  I actually had a couple bucks run toward my stand position while using the bleat can.  Most of the time, it hasn't done anything other than make deer stop and look in my direction out of curiosity, but that's o.k., as it's never spooked deer.  I'll keep using them. 

The grunt calls have worked well for me to simply get a deer to stop walking or trotting long enough to give me a shot.  Other than that, I can't say I've ever actually called a deer in with one.

I've had rattling antlers work to bring in a buck on one or two occasions, but most of the time, I can't say I've ever had luck with it. 

I don't believe that deer are as drawn to calls as elk, turkey, waterfowl, and predators are, as they aren't as vocal as those animals.  Overall, I believe various deer calls work in one way or another, but the conditions have to be right (such as use during the rut) for them to work.

Elk, turkey, waterfowl, and predators are a different story.  Calls of all sorts have unquestionably proven time and again to be effective on these critters, as long as the person using the calls is skilled in their use and uses them at the right time and the right way without over-calling.  A lot depends on the area being hunted, though.  I believe animals in public hunting areas that get lots of pressure become call shy.



 




-------------
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.


Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: January/23/2011 at 08:42
What do you guys think of the various blood tracking lights and other tracking aids?  I've tried different color lights, and I can't say they make blood stand out better for me.  I'm somewhat color blind in certain spectrums, so unless there's lots of blood, it doesn't stand out that well for me against brown fall leaves on the ground.  For me, the best aid in picking up blood at night is a pure white, latest generation super bright LED light -- the brighter the better.


-------------
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.


Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: January/23/2011 at 08:45
Originally posted by lucytuma lucytuma wrote:

One of my favorite gadgets is the shoot and see targets, even though they're alittle pricey, they sure make detecting bullet holes much easier.



I like them too; they work well.


-------------
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.


Posted By: tman1965
Date Posted: January/23/2011 at 12:00
As far as lights go I like the streamlight stinger and scorpion, and the coast lenser.
for making blood a bit easier to track I use peroxide in a spray bottle... It will make blood foam up. makes it much easier to tell if that little speck is blood or just a dark spot on a leaf.


Posted By: mike650
Date Posted: January/23/2011 at 12:26
I use an old scorpion as well and really like it a lot. While hunting I carry that and a headlamp in my pack.

I've tried using a Surefire blue filter attachment (advertised to track wounded game) to my scorpion while we were tracking a guest's gut shot buck at night and it worked just OK. If memory servers me the blood trail appeared black on the leaves, etc. but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.


-------------
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear


Posted By: Roy Finn
Date Posted: January/23/2011 at 19:43
Ted, on calls and horns (rattling), I have good results using them in Canada during the rut (as you indicated) but you also have to have a good buck to doe ratio. On on first trip to Sask, and on the first day, I was in a ground blind and rattled in a nice sized 8 pt. He literally came in running looking for the fuss. On the other hand, I've rattled till my hands bled in NYS and haven't had anything I could honestly say respond to my efforts.


Posted By: Roy Finn
Date Posted: January/23/2011 at 19:53
As for the camo observations, I agree completely. Seems every year the greatest camo pattern is discovered and hunters respond in kind. I also feel the same basically as you do regarding scent eliminator clothing and sprays. The biggest deer I've shot in NYS was probably no further than 25-30 yrds away from me and the wind was blowing almost directly at my back and towards him as well. He showed no sign of being alarmed and on that hunt, it fell right centered during the peak of the rut.


Posted By: hunterwingler
Date Posted: January/23/2011 at 22:53
Originally posted by Roy Finn Roy Finn wrote:

Can't believe no one's mentioned the " Butt-Out" tool yet..
butt out is a big joke in my book, right a long with cough slicer tube, camo its a plus to have but do I need it NO, tho a ghillie is really great to use. sent lure.. best I've used more a sent mask is buck bomb. knife's man i have more them than i really need does one more better than the other nahhh not really but I do have one like better. My Dad for years & years nothing other than a old timer pocket knife for skinning & gutting.

-------------
I wasn't upset about the black cat crossing my path this morning but mouthing "your fu@#ed" as he passed was just rude.

If Guns kill people mine are all defective


Posted By: scooter65
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 06:41
This is a great thread!!
 
I would have to agree with the general concensus on the scentcover, scent pad, camo, rattling products and techniques.  Occasional success.  Never tried a buttout and don't plan on it.  There is one thing that I have found useful, gut hook.  Is it a big deal, NO.  Maybe if I was cleaning several animals in a row. 
 
Keep the experiences coming lads, it's all good stuff.


Posted By: 8shots
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 06:59
I have become a believer in camo. I have hunted for many years mainly in blue jeans and some matching colour or green shirt, brown or fawn jackets etc. never had a problem to bag my quota. Game would approach me or I would approach them to a reasonable comfort zone, which I accepted as the normal distance for game...on average around 100yds. (Goes without saying some closer)
 
Then I donned a full Realtree camo outfit I recieved for Xmas. That comfort distance shrunk to 50yds or less. If I sit still then none target game would walk right past me if the wind is right etc.
 
So I do believe decent camo works.
 
We have had onne or two guys testing camo to see how close they can stalk game without being detected. Most camos work, some better then others, but all are better then no camo.


Posted By: mike650
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 07:32
Thunbs Up


-------------
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear


Posted By: tahqua
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 07:33
I have had good luck with camo. I use several diffrent patterns, based on area and season. I have found it to be most useful for waterfowl and turkey.
I have rattled in bucks with synthetic horns. My best buck ever almost ran me over.
I have had mixed results with scents. I had a small buck follow me after I put some doe in heat on the bottom of my boots, real smart. I have also set up false scrapes that have been hit.


-------------
Doug


Posted By: budperm
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 07:43
Scooter you need to specify that you never tried a butt plug on a Deer.
 
Wouter I watched a very interesting hunt by SCI this last weekend.  Two guys hunting the Cape Buffalo usede a plain brown umbrella as camo ad succesfully walked up on multiple Cape to within 50yds after the Capes had spooked a few times under a normal stalk.  They took their Cap of choice at 50yds then tried the Umbrella on Wildabeast with great succes too!  Just talked strait up on them behind the umbrella.
 
Same show also had them hunting the Greater KUDO and the Black KUDO.   Man they had some great video of those hunts.  Those grey ghosts just seem to disappear as soon as they hit the brush.  I know your a successful Kudo hunter and an excellent shoot.  After seeing how well those things things can disappear in a well shot video has caused my already high opinion of your abilities to go up another couple of notches.  If I hit that lottery and can afford to hunt Africa you can bet I'm going to give you a call! Excellent


-------------
"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".
--Thomas Jefferson





Posted By: Terry Lamb
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 08:05
A previous post mentioned camo and color in turkey hunting, where attention to camo detail in my experience is utterly critical. My first day of turkey hunting with a bow, I was beautifully decked out with all camo goodies from gloves to face mask to boots, and immediately called in six toms.
 
They froze, freeked, and sprinted for the next county at about 75 yards. I had made no movement and was sitting. Puzzled, I finally realized that with all my attention to camo details, I was using arrows with fluorescent yellow fletchings. Turkeys have extraordinary color vision.
 
I returned home, spray-painted the fletchings black, the only thing I had, and returned to the woods that afternoon, bringing in all kinds of birds with no problem whatever.
 
So, at least in regard to the eagle-eyed turkey, camo is no gimmick!


-------------
Terry Lamb


Posted By: 8shots
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 08:18
Bud, I have seen the umbrella trick work on wildebeest. They are naturally curious animals and the strange "non-human" looking thing keeps them interested.
 
Did not think it would work on buff !!
 
Kudu are my favourite animals to hunt, and yes they can be crafty, even to the point of hiding behind a bush and walking around it as the hunter walks past, to keep the bush between them and the hunter.


Posted By: JGRaider
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 09:14
Not a big believer in camo making any difference.  What cracks me up is people getting "camo-ed up"to go sit in a blind.


Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 10:18
Originally posted by JGRaider JGRaider wrote:

Not a big believer in camo making any difference.  What cracks me up is people getting "camo-ed up"to go sit in a blind.
 
Yeah, that is humorous.  I occasionally get "camo-ed up" to go sit in a blind, but my choice in clothing is always based on weather and what will be most comfortable for my long vigil rather than what pattern is on the outside.  Most of my best cold weather garments happen to be camo-ed. 
 
Outside of turkey and waterfowl hunting, I personally don't believe camo makes any difference.  Or, at least I haven't hunted any other species where I thought it did.


-------------
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.


Posted By: tahqua
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 10:56
I don't use blinds where I deer hunt. I am a stalker and stump sitter because the deer are spread out over large areas and the densities low. I find that camo helps me blend into the surroundings. I don't wear lighter marsh grass types in the cedars and pines. I don't where darker greens in the hardwoods either.
I have had deer come within reach of me. Clearly the wind was on my side, but they should have seen me also. I don't care about the patterns as long as the colors break up my outlline with my surroundings.
 


-------------
Doug


Posted By: mike650
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 11:09
+1

-------------
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear


Posted By: Chris Farris
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 11:35
I've had pretty good luck with scents but it is hit or miss.  I got to meet Tink a few years back on a fishing trip and he told me that the secret is to use less.  He also said that many things have to be aligned like using the right scent for the time, having the correct wind, not using too much, having fresh scent and most importantly having a receptive buck in the wind trail.  That is pretty much all common sense I think, but the key is that all of things have to happen at the same time.
 
The times I used it successfully it worked right off the bat and worked really well.  Then it would not work the next time.  I never attracted any bucks over two years old.
 
I've had good luck with rattlin' horns too but kinda the same as scents, it would work really well one time then not at all.  For sure real antlers that are fresh work best.  I've never been able to get anything to respond to the fiberglass ones or the various bags that are supposed to emulate the sound.  Rattlin' is an art that you can only learn from doing it over and over.  I am not good but have been with people that are and I have learned (just like the scents), less is more and don't stay in the same spot for more than 30 minutes.
 
I agree with everyone on the camo.  It is big business and just like fishing lures it is geared to catch the shopper and not so much the fish.  I get a big kick out of the guys all camo'd out with face paint on and the works just to go dove hunting.  I think they are more worried about people knowing they are going hunting or have been hunting.
 
Another thing that Tink told me that he feels very strongly about is not wearing blue jeans to hunt.  He went into great detail about how animals see blue jeans almost like we see blaze orange, don't know if it is true but he was very adamant and convincing.


Posted By: scooter65
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 12:54

CAMO - works wonderfully on people!! 

 
Got into paintball a few years back and camo was a life saver.  My goodness is that fun.


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 13:16
  I'm going to add squirrel hunting to the list where camo is required to eliminate ANY possiblity of getting busted.  I'm not saying you need the latest designer stuff but if the squirrels seem to be mostly in the trees the day your hunting,you best keep your hands and especially your face camoed.  They'll definitely catch the glare of your face as your looking up if you don't.
 
  Interesting story. As most who hunt out of trees know,you'll see more "woods happinings" doing so than on the ground.  I was in a tree one day down wind of and watching a scrapeline.  I'm on the top of a ridge with a hollow behind me in which I can't see the bottom.  Periodicly I'm hearing at least 2 dogs down in this hollow.  Directly I catch movement to my left and here comes a nice 6pt slowing scent checking this scrapeline.  All of a sudden these dogs get hold of a rabbit.  Well you know how loud and intense that got to be.  This buck stops,looks in that direction,and starts heading that way. A grey fox comes up out of the hollow and passes within feet of this buck. Each completely ignored the other. I have a buck and doe combo call around my neck so I try and get the buck's attention.  He wasn't EVEN interested.  He drops down over the ridge into the hollow out of my sight.  Gone?  10mins or so later and after the rabbit commotion quits he comes back up the same way he went down and gets back on his scent checking trail coming my way.  Needless to say I got no shot even though I was down on my knees on the stand and giving a bleat every once in a while to try to get him to stop in a lane.  Deer are VERY curious to sounds and sights that aren't common to them but one whiff of danger and they're gone.  Any of you coyote/fox hunters using a rabbit distress call ever have deer come in?  One thing I believe is that alot hunters who use calls and attracting scents but don't think they're working aren't seeing the game that comes in.


-------------
"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: tahqua
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 13:39
Good point on the face Earl. Nothing makes ducks and squirrels take notice like a shiny face looking up.

-------------
Doug


Posted By: Roy Finn
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 13:54
Chris, I would be willing to bet that in areas where rattling is very popular that the deer become educated and more cautious. I've used synthetic horns in Sask as well as my pards and have had good results. On the other hand, I've used fish scents when trout fishing and I'm 100% convinced that they work.


Posted By: mike650
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 14:01
My grandfather, father, etc. used solid color pants and stripped shirts (Ben Davis clothing) when they use to hunt in the club. It wasn't camo, just very tough material for breaking the brush, etc. and it worked for them.
 
I hunt much like Doug (Tahqua) posted and it could be just a confidence thing but think it's to my advantage to wear a simple camo pattern to break things up. Nothing crazy like face camo, everything has to match, etc. It works for me.

I've heard too that blue is not a color to wear while hunting for the same reasons Chris posted.

Deer and coyote calls seem to work for us and I carry one of each. We've been able to bring 'em in from time to time.

Shiny face is a great point!!

It could be a confidence thing again but I feel fish scents do have their place. Again, I don't go crazy, I use them when the bite's slow or under certain conditions, just a little to spice the bait up a bit.


Good stuff guys!!!  Excellent

-------------
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear


Posted By: tahqua
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 14:02
Originally posted by Roy Finn Roy Finn wrote:

Chris, I would be willing to bet that in areas where rattling is very popular that the deer become educated and more cautious. I've used synthetic horns in Sask as well as my pards and have had good results. On the other hand, I've used fish scents when trout fishing and I'm 100% convinced that they work.
 
Dr Juice sprayed on a leach works great on walleye. I'll have to try scent on trout too!


-------------
Doug


Posted By: 8shots
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 14:29
Chris, the blue is in fact just the opposite. Extensive work has been done on animals and blue. It is a colour they are blind. The animals see in shades of grey and blue blends in the best.
We have a company that make blue camo.
 
In the test I alluded to earlier, the blue camo perfromed the best time and again.
 
As a teenager we used to hunt in denim jeans and shirts, whilst our counter parts wore khaki. We never had problems shooting kudu etc. When the blue camo was tested, we understood why.
 
The camo just looks like crap and reminds me of our police, so I refuse to use them.
 
Animals with dichromatic (color blind) vision such as hoofed animals which include deer, buck and antelope species look at the environment in a completely different way than humans do.
 
 

In contrast, the animal eye has only two sets of cone receptor cells which are also referred to as dichromatic vision. Due to vast differences in the animal eye structure when compared to the human eye, these cone receptor cells are scattered across the entire retina which spread their daylight vision in all directions with no focus on any particular zone. Also present in the animal eye are rod receptors. These receptors function mainly during low light or night time conditions while the cone receptors function during daylight hours.

The animal eye also has a light reflecting layer situated at the back of the eye which allows its receptors a second chance to absorb light. However, this reflecting layer also causes blurred vision during daytime conditions. The bigger eye with a rectangular aperture forfeits sharpness while trying to compensate for the large amount of incident light.

The cones and rods are connected to neurons which feed visual images to the brain. In the case of animals, large quantities of receptors are connected to the same neurons which increase sensitivity with a loss in high definition colour vision.

Due to these differences in eye structure as well as the different distribution ratios between cones and rods in the human and animal eyes, deer, antelope and buck do not have the same colour acuity as humans do and therefore have very limited colour vision.

 


Posted By: 8shots
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 14:35
The above description off course exclude kudu. They see in 360 different colours, have binocular vision(25x80), motion detection sensors (multiple eyes like an insect) and have built in x-ray vision that is activated as soon as a hunter comes within 10km radius. Wink


Posted By: mike650
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 14:37
When I was little I used to hunt in my blue jeans...  Bucky


Wow, as always Wouter, I learn much from you!!


-------------
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear


Posted By: Roy Finn
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 14:38
Originally posted by tahqua tahqua wrote:

Dr Juice sprayed on a leach works great on walleye. I'll have to try scent on trout too!
 
That's the stuff I use on trout, Dr. Juice Trout/Salmon. I call it High Karate.........


Posted By: supertool73
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 14:38
Originally posted by 8shots 8shots wrote:

The above description off course exclude kudu. They see in 360 different colours, have binocular vision(25x80), motion detection sensors (multiple eyes like an insect) and have built in x-ray vision that is activated as soon as a hunter comes within 10km radius. Wink


Laugh Above


-------------
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."


Posted By: tahqua
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 14:39

Thanks Roy, I'll check it out...........



-------------
Doug


Posted By: JGRaider
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 15:04
This is not intended at anyone personally, but the blue jeans and hunting success was recently beaten to death on another forum where the original poster said much the same as Tink in that blue jeans are not conducive to hunting success.  Well, I went back and looked at all the best bucks I had taken and all were wearing blue jeans.  There were probably 20+ pages of pictures of hunters in their blue jeans and lots of big animals taken.  In other words I'm calling BS on the blue jeans not working very well for hunting.  My experience and many other successful hunters know that's rediculous.  


Posted By: supertool73
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 15:09
People just don't want to admit all the money they spent on fancy camo and detergents and all that are not really helping them that much.  

-------------
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."


Posted By: tahqua
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 15:11
This is a great idea for a thread so I'll add a handy little device I have been using for years. It is called the Redi Edge sharpener. I did not know what to think at first about this device. But it is small and is very handy to use. I use the larger one that has a ceramic body that is a hone and also has a groove for fish hooks. I can use an edge, they have a radius, on serrated blades in a pinch too.
The downside, if it is, the carbide inserts leave micro-serrations on your blade. On the one hand they can make your blade cut really well. On the other they can wear it out over the years. The honing aspect helps debur them some.
 


-------------
Doug


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 15:11
  "Well, I went back and looked at all the best bucks I had taken and all were wearing blue jeans."
 
  Bucks wearing blue jeans?  I don't think so.   Whistling
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Just kiddin'.  Bucky   I also read that thread. 


-------------
"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: tahqua
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 15:13
Originally posted by 300S&W 300S&W wrote:

  "Well, I went back and looked at all the best bucks I had taken and all were wearing blue jeans."
 
  Bucks wearing blue jeans?  I don't think so.   Whistling
 
If they were Levi's, they were ~
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Just kiddin'.  Bucky   I also read that thread. 


-------------
Doug


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 15:21
[QUOTE=tahqua][QUOTE=300S&W]  "Well, I went back and looked at all the best bucks I had taken and all were wearing blue jeans."
 
  Bucks wearing blue jeans?  I don't think so.   Whistling
 
If they were Levi's, they were ~
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 LOL  I been wondering why the bucks around here don' t fight.


-------------
"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 15:22
  I been using one of these for many moons.  Works well.  EZ-Lap Diamond M
 
 


-------------
"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: Chris Farris
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 15:29
Anyone that has successfully hunted Cape Buffalo and Elephant with a bow I tend to listen to and I stopped hunting in blue jeans because of him, I switched to Carhardt "tan" jeans.  Cool
 
I think you can successfully hunt wearing just about anything and doing just about anything just not routinely.  Don't know where the blue jean thing came from but it sounds like it is wide spread.
 
I know there are certain things you can not hunt in as I learned the hard way that you can not hunt Caribou with black rain gear.  It was the only gear I had at the time so I packed it for this self guided hunt way, way north Canada, we were so far north that the pilot said he saw Polar Bear in the area a few weeks before we flew in (I even saw two musk ox).  I was able to get real close to Caribou every day until one day when it rained and I put on my rain gear.  Caribou were running from me as far as I could see.  I was not aware that there were also black bears in that area and evidently they were a main predator of these Caribou.
 
I know a guy that rushed to his deer lease on a Friday and was upset because he did not make it in time but he walked to his stand anyway although it was already "prime time".  He was in street clothes, smoking a cigar and drinking Jack and Coke because he knew nothing would be there and ended up shooting the biggest buck of his life.


Posted By: tahqua
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 15:32
I still have an EZ Lap in my musky and pike tackle box. It's a great device that preceded the Redi Edge by a bunch of years.

-------------
Doug


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 15:40
Originally posted by tahqua tahqua wrote:

I still have an EZ Lap in my musky and pike tackle box. It's a great device that preceded the Redi Edge by a bunch of years.
 
  They're still available for around $15.  I believe I paid between 4 and 6.


-------------
"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 15:46
 "know a guy that rushed to his deer lease on a Friday and was upset because he did not make it in time but he walked to his stand anyway although it was already "prime time".  He was in street clothes, smoking a cigar and drinking Jack and Coke because he knew nothing would be there and ended up shooting the biggest buck of his life."
 
  When you least expect it........................................
 
  We use to take our bowhunting gear with us to where we parked our company trucks at the time.  We had just enough time after work to get our camo on over top our chain gas,exhaust smelling,sweat stained work clothes and get to the woods for a couple hrs before dark.  We killed deer.


-------------
"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: tahqua
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 15:56
Originally posted by Roy Finn Roy Finn wrote:

Can't believe no one's mentioned the " Butt-Out" tool yet..
 
A friend used one on deer. He said it worked okay. I asked him if he was going to run it through the dish washer when he got home. He didn't, but he's not a Yooper.


-------------
Doug


Posted By: mike650
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 16:01
Originally posted by Chris Farris Chris Farris wrote:

Anyone that has successfully hunted Cape Buffalo and Elephant with a bow I tend to listen to and I stopped hunting in blue jeans because of him, I switched to Carhardt "tan" jeans.  Cool
 
I think you can successfully hunt wearing just about anything and doing just about anything just not routinely.  Don't know where the blue jean thing came from but it sounds like it is wide spread.
 


If you google "can deer see the color blue" you get all kinds of hits. Below are two.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/2003/06/what-deer-see - http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/hunting/2003/06/what-deer-see

http://www.northcountrywhitetails.com/articles/whatdodeersee.htm - http://www.northcountrywhitetails.com/articles/whatdodeersee.htm

I tend to agree to agree Chris that you can wear just about anything. Last year I was wearing camo shorts, orange "Giants" tank top, hunting boots, and boonie hat when I shot my buck. (story for another time) Bandito

-------------
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 16:13
   Yippee
       
            No Pics


-------------
"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: mike650
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 17:02
PM sent...  Big Smile

-------------
“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear


Posted By: SD Dog
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 17:07
Oh I agree Earl.  That would be priceless.

In SD for rifle season you have to wear orange I have a coat that makes me look like the great pumpkin.  Have had deer pass 10-15 yards away but the wind was right.  Most camo stuff is great because of the quality of the product, not the print on it.

Doe in a can has worked.

One thing I like to take along are preg checking sleeve gloves.  If you have ever preg checked cattle, you know what I am talking about.  Plastic glove that goes up to your shoulder.  Plenty of room to get your arm with a coat on into them.  Very nice when it is bitter cold out.  Vet stores have them.


-------------
If nobody ever said anything unless he knew what he was talking about, a ghastly hush would descend upon the earth. AP Herbert

Stupidity & ignorance have been the foundation for many certainties.


Posted By: Chris Farris
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 17:24
From one of Mike's links.  Personaly I've never noticed any difference but I can see where blue jeans could be a possible disadvantage based on the study below for two reasons.
 
1.  Deer only see a few colors and blue is one of them.
2.  Blue jeans are a large piece of clothing that are one solid color that deer see.  Maybe if the jeans were many shades of blue and broken into shapes like camo it would be better.
 
It is also probably relative to how you hunt and the color of blue the jeans are.  If you hunt from a fixed location and are being still most likely you will be in a stand or sitting making your blue jeans not visible.  If you are walking and stalking they can probably pick you out better from a distance since blue is one of the few colors they can see and is not a common color to find in nature........ add movement to it and it has to handicap you.  Kinda like my story about the black rain gear, it was partially due to it being one large solid color object and the color.
 
For me it is just as easy to put my legs into non blue jeans than it is to put them in blue jeans, Tink swearing to it and this study are enough for me not to wear them. 
 
 
The Study
In August 1992, a group of leading deer researchers and vision scientists gathered at The University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens to conduct this landmark study. The group of researchers included Drs. R. Larry Marchinton and Karl V. Miller, and myself from UGA, Dr. Gerald H. Jacobs and Jess Degan from the University of California, and Dr. Jay Neitz from the Medical College of Wisconsin. This study was made possible due to a highly sophisticated computer system developed by Dr. Jacobs. This system is based on the principle that an electrical response is produced when light enters the eye. The computer interprets these responses and translates them into a “scientific best guess” of what deer can actually see.

Findings of the Study
The results of our study confirmed that deer possess two (rather than three as in humans) types of cones allowing limited color vision (Figure 1). The cone that deer lack is the “red” cone, or the one sensitive to long wavelength colors such as red and orange. This suggests that wearing bright colors while hunting does not affect hunting success. This does not mean that these colors are invisible to deer, but rather that they are perceived differently.

Deer are essentially red-green color blind like some humans. Their color vision is limited to the short (blue) and middle (green) wavelength colors. As a result, deer likely can distinguish blue from red, but not green from red, or orange from red. Therefore, it appears that hunters would be equally suited wearing green, red, or orange clothing but perhaps slightly disadvantaged wearing blue.

The results regarding the UV capabilities of deer were equally fascinating. Our results confirmed that deer lack a UV filter in their eye and that their vision in the shorter wavelengths was much better than ours. Deer also were found to have a relatively high sensitivity (good vision) in the short wavelengths where UV brighteners and dyes are active.
While not entirely conclusive, this finding suggests that deer are capable of seeing some UV light and that fabrics containing UV dyes and brighteners may be more visible to deer than to humans.

Implications for Hunters
What do the results of this study mean for hunters? Should you throw away all of your camouflage clothes? Definitely not. It is important to keep the findings of this study in perspective. There is no question that scent and movement are far more important than the color of your clothing or whether or not it contains UV brighteners.



Posted By: budperm
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 20:07
Originally posted by 300S&W 300S&W wrote:

 "know a guy that rushed to his deer lease on a Friday and was upset because he did not make it in time but he walked to his stand anyway although it was already "prime time".  He was in street clothes, smoking a cigar and drinking Jack and Coke because he knew nothing would be there and ended up shooting the biggest buck of his life."
 Now thats what I call Camo!!! Excellent
 
 
  When you least expect it........................................
 
  We use to take our bowhunting gear with us to where we parked our company trucks at the time.  We had just enough time after work to get our camo on over top our chain gas,exhaust smelling,sweat stained work clothes and get to the woods for a couple hrs before dark.  We killed deer.
   No gun or bow required....Bucky

-------------
"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".
--Thomas Jefferson





Posted By: budperm
Date Posted: January/24/2011 at 20:22
Since Graham and BD ruined my favorite Blaze Orange Hunting Tutu playing 'Catch Me Keep Me' my daughter got me a new Highway Yellow one for Xmas.  This rather surprised me since she is Goth and all her clothes are either black or blood red. Cool
 
 
The best thing about a hunting Tutu is the when I walt into a public game field there can be hunters every 10-15 yards.  Within a half hour I have the place all to my self for a couple hundred yards all around! Bucky  Nothing like elbow room!


-------------
"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".
--Thomas Jefferson





Posted By: JGRaider
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 09:23
[QUOTE=300S&W]
   Yippee
       
            No Pics
[/QUOTE




Posted By: JGRaider
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 09:29
Originally posted by 300S&W 300S&W wrote:

   Yippee
       
            No Pics



Got some help......a 190" TX buck from Nov '10




Posted By: JGRaider
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 09:36
My 190", 34" wide TX buck from '09




Posted By: Roy Finn
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 09:42
JG, very nice...............well done.


Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 09:46
Excellent excellent trophys!


Posted By: JGRaider
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 09:56
Killed the buck of my dreams in Sonora, MX in Dec 2006.  I actually killed this buck wearing a brown Carhartt jacket but it warmed up and had to take it off! 




Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 10:13
BEAUTIFUL mulie bucks, JG!!!  Thanks for sharing!
Excellent


-------------
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.


Posted By: Chris Farris
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 10:39
JG!!!!!!
 
Where is the product in those pictures?  You would be a finalist in our photo contest for sure (great trophy, great picture composure, no blood/guts).  I though that I've told you all the details about it a few years ago.
 
Where in Sonora did you go?


Posted By: SD Dog
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 10:56
JG those are some beautiful trophies!  WOW.

-------------
If nobody ever said anything unless he knew what he was talking about, a ghastly hush would descend upon the earth. AP Herbert

Stupidity & ignorance have been the foundation for many certainties.


Posted By: budperm
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 10:58
What a beautiful pair of Mulies!  ExcellentExcellentExcellent

-------------
"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".
--Thomas Jefferson





Posted By: trigger29
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 11:12
Originally posted by scooter65 scooter65 wrote:

CAMO - works wonderfully on people!! 

 
Got into paintball a few years back and camo was a life saver.  My goodness is that fun.
The trick is finding the right pattern to match the bunker field you are playing on that day......Unlike the colorblind "trigger" guy in this shot.
 
I've had Tink's  work for me one time. Brought a buck dead in his tracks at a scrape. He looked around, peed in the scrape, and then walked around with his nose in the air. I could have shot him easy, but he was young, and lacking a huge rack.


-------------

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."


Posted By: budperm
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 11:52
I think deer are more sensitive to changes from the 'norm' than anyting else.  Have you ever noticed deer that live in suburban areas will ignore a jogger, cyclist or walker but the instant someone comes within their perception that is acting stealthfully the deer seem to disappear?
 
My BIL is a farmer and animal lover.  Deer on his farm have learned he is no threat,  He can walk to within a few paces of them before they sedately scatter.  Deer must know his scent cause if anybody else tries to approach them they bolt before your within 50 yards.  More than once he has had to stop the combine and get out and carry fawns out of the way while momma deer stands nearby watching.


-------------
"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".
--Thomas Jefferson





Posted By: Chris Farris
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 12:17
Click on the video that has a deer on it (this is Brady's dad at his house in San Antonio).
 
http://swfa.com/Video.aspx - http://swfa.com/Video.aspx
 
 


Posted By: budperm
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 12:24
Hand feeding them effects my brain.  I see them as pets if I hand feed them.
Can't bring myself to shoot a pet. 


-------------
"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".
--Thomas Jefferson





Posted By: scooter65
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 12:26
Originally posted by Chris Farris Chris Farris wrote:

Click on the video that has a deer on it (this is Brady's dad at his house in San Antonio).
 
http://swfa.com/Video.aspx - http://swfa.com/Video.aspx
 
 
Hey Chris, there isn't a video.


Posted By: scooter65
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 12:33
Originally posted by 300S&W 300S&W wrote:

[QUOTE=tahqua][QUOTE=300S&W]  "Well, I went back and looked at all the best bucks I had taken and all were wearing blue jeans."
 
  Bucks wearing blue jeans?  I don't think so.   Whistling
 
If they were Levi's, they were ~
 
lol....knock levi all you want... i work for Wrangler
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 LOL  I been wondering why the bucks around here don' t fight.


Posted By: RifleDude
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 12:37
Originally posted by budperm budperm wrote:

I think deer are more sensitive to changes from the 'norm' than anyting else.  Have you ever noticed deer that live in suburban areas will ignore a jogger, cyclist or walker but the instant someone comes within their perception that is acting stealthfully the deer seem to disappear?
 
My BIL is a farmer and animal lover.  Deer on his farm have learned he is no threat,  He can walk to within a few paces of them before they sedately scatter.  Deer must know his scent cause if anybody else tries to approach them they bolt before your within 50 yards.  More than once he has had to stop the combine and get out and carry fawns out of the way while momma deer stands nearby watching.
 
That's exactly what my brother has discovered on his farm.  He can drive a tractor within 20 feet of any deer and they pay no attention to him, but as soon as he stops and gets off the tractor, they bolt.  So, I suggested he use his cab-over tractor as a blind.


-------------
Ted


Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.


Posted By: Bitterroot Bulls
Date Posted: January/25/2011 at 13:12
Very nice mulies, JG!

I didn't know they had bucks like that down in TX.  I think I may need to pay you a visit sometime. Wink

That Sonoran buck is muy grande!  Did he net out in the book?


-------------
-Matt



Print Page | Close Window

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd. - https://www.webwiz.net