The Great Cover-Up and Control
Photo and Text By MICHAEL D. FAW
As the deer strolled along the narrow game trail that passed through the trees just before my treestand, I observed intently. When the doe slammed on the brakes and turned her head sharply to her left, I took note. Then she stretched out her neck and pressed her nose against the tip of a small limb that was two feet away from the trail's edge. Now, I watched in disbelief.
I had cut that limb the day before with uncovered hands and a pruning shear, yet my scent had alerted the doe, and she then pinpointed the contact area a full day later. Then I watched in horror when that doe spun around and dashed back up the trail. She passed by a wide antlered buck I had not spotted until then, and both deer soon disappeared ahead of waving white tails. Beating the ultra sensitive nose of a game animal is critical for hunters, and it's doubly important with deer, coyotes, elk, and other popular hunted species.
While washing clothes and avoiding odor sources, like gas pumps and a Starbucks coffee shop, are important first steps, the scent that always causes any animal to swap ends and flee is that tale-tell odor of a human. It's the odor that lies on your skin's surface thanks to sweat, flesh, hair and other natural processes of life. You can wash much of that odor source away, but the walk to your treestand or hike to the site where you'll call coyotes, brings it back to the surface of your skin. Odor is part of life, but it can be controlled or eliminated.
Sprays, soaps, and carbon have all come to the market to help hunters beat the nose of deer and other critters. A few years back someone discovered that the silver antimicrobial yarns that were being widely in hospital garments to control odors of burn and surgery victims also eliminated the odors when the bacteria came in contact with the fabric. The jump to hunting applications was a no-brainer.
The most recent garment offered to hunters is Hunter Specialties' Scent-A-Way Tek 4 base layer garments. These tops and bottoms, offered in Realtree AP camouflage, control odors with permanently bonded silver antimicrobial yarns built into the fabric used to construct the garments. The silky fabric wicks away moisture and helps the wearer stay dry and comfortable - especially after a sweaty hike to a distant treestand.
"The phenomenal news is that the garments control 99.97 percent of all perspiration produced," said Dave Forbes of Hunter Specialties. "The wicking system cools or warms with your body, and takes perspiration across the Tek 4 fabric."
This technology lasts the life of the garment, it does not wash out.
The Tek 4 garments also feature full cut for easy movement, such as when you draw your bow on a huge buck. The shirts in the garment duo have long-cut tails so they stay tucked in and cut drafts. Ribbed knit cuffs on the sleeves and a zippered collar on the shirts also help with wearer comfort options and scent control. This clothing line includes base-layer shirts and pant, boxer briefs, socks, gloves, caps, headnets and face masks. Some garments are also offered in champagne color and in heavy- (for winter) and lightweight for summer or warmer days.
Now for the good news: your body odor is controlled when it reaches the fabric via perspiration management. The best news is that the garments can be cleaned (washed) with anti-scent products like Scent-A-Way laundry detergent and without fear of washing out any coatings, carbons, or additives. The silver is bonded to nylon threads and woven into the fabric - not sprayed on.
Hunter Specialties has also upped the amount of working silver within the garment, and Scent-A-Way Tek 4 garments have 33 percent more than many other similar hunting garments. Silver also conducts heat and can help keep the wearer cooler on hot days. High technology has come down to earth to aid hunters everywhere, and silver yarns are the connection.
Buyers will note that base layer shirts range from $45 for the standard lightweight champagne shirt to $75 for the heavyweight camouflaged shirt. The base layer pants follow similar pricing patterns. These products can be ordered online at: http://tek4store.com.
Like all scent control programs that hunters follow, the best results come after paying attention to the small details that reveal your presence to animals. Keep gear, clothing and footwear as clean and scent-free as possible. Spraying with scent killing sprays, like Scent-A-Way Advanced Formula, is a good beginning. Washing items, and your body, with scent removing and odor-free soaps and laundry products is another important step. Then store cleaned gear in a scent-free bag or storage container.
Hunters should note that standard trash bags, a process used by many hunters, are often treated with chemicals and scents, and this is counter-productive to be scent-free. Many outlets offer these products in a kit to help your prepare for the next hunting quest.
The most recent garment offered to hunters is Hunter Specialties' Scent-A-Way Tek 4 base layer garments. |