Apparition™
Scents Tips
We developed this section of our website to help you maximize your success with our scent products. Although we encourage you to use the methods you had success with in the past, we encourage you to try some of our field-tested techniques described here.
Below is a series of typically asked questions regarding the use of scents for hunting. You can also go directly to the following sections for detailed tips for using all of our Apparition™ scent products.
Attractant Scent Tips
Masking and Scent Eliminator Tips
Typically Asked Questions About
Using Scents for Hunting
Q: Do scents really work, or is it just a marketing gimmic?
A: Yes, using scents can increase your chances of harvesting a deer dramatically if used properly. At the same time, using scents improperly can have a significant negative effect. Scents are a tool to help you harvest a deer. They will not work every time, or on every deer exactly the same, but used properly, can greatly improve your odds of success.
Q: Is in necessary to wear rubber boots and use masking scents and scent elminators to be successful?
A: The short answer is no. We all know someone who shot the buck of a lifetime while smoking a cigarette and wearing gasoline spattered leather boots. However, the phrase "you're better to be lucky than good" does not apply if you want to consistently get close to deer. All of your hunts should begin with the use of a human scent eliminator, and a natural masking scent to cover foreign odors on your cloting. Knee high rubbers boots are also important because they don't hold odors like leather boots, which helps you move to your stand location without leaving hunt stopping scent soot. Always use masking scents and scent elinators when huting with attractant scents.
Q: Are all urine attractant scents the same, meaning curiosity, rut, and estrous scents from one company are basically the same as another company's?
A: All urne scents are definitely not the same. Although it is possible to purchase "pure" urine, most companies have developed their own formulas that they add to the urine to improve effectiveness. There are many factors the influence the urine you are purchasing, including diet of the deer, time of collection, and how it is handled after collection. We suggest finding a company you are comfortable with, and sticking with it as long as you are having postive results.
Q: Should I use a urine masking scent, such as fox, raccoon, or skunk?
A: Although many people prefer to use urine scents for masking purposes, we do not recommend it. We believe that a natural-smelling, earth-based masking scent does a better job of helping hunters blend into the environment they are hunting in. Stong-smelling urine masking scents can actually help deer pinpoint your location because they stand out among the natural smells of the area.
Q: Can I use estrous and other scents designed for the rut too early?
A: Yes. Deer are genetically engineered to know when the rut is kicking in, and using an estrous or territorial scent too early can trigger a negative impulse from deer. Because the timing of the rut varies due to a number of factors, our best advice is to observe deer behavior and only begin using rutting scents when you are confident that the natural rut is starting.
Q: Can I use too much attractant scent?
A: Generally, using a lot of urine scent will not negatively impact your hunt. Remember, most urine scents come in 1 oz. or 2 oz. bottles, yet a deer's bladder contains several more ounces. In most cases, a small amount of urine attractant can go a long way, and it is not necessary to use excessive amounts.
More Typically Asked Questions
