Ok, I finally broke down and decided I'm going to buy a thermacell bug repellant machine, but I still want to use it for deer hu

[officerdom1987]

Ok, I finally broke down and decided I'm going to buy a thermacell bug repellant machine, but I still want to use it for deer hunting in the fall. I see it comes with a normal mat and there is also an "earth scent" that can be used. Is the normal mats scent free or should I should I use the earth scent ones? I am clueless on this stuff so any help is appreciated!

[DSMbirddog]

I've used mine with the regular scent while hog hunting and I haven't had any issues with it.

[pineywoods]

I can smell the regular scent, and if I can smell it, you know dadgum well the deer can. What they make of it, I can't tell you, but I love to turn it on briefly when I go in a box blind and watch the mosquitoes that were lying in ambush go pouring out the window. I still don't understand how it can generate a bubble of protection around you in a breeze when you're turkey hunting, but it does.

[officerdom1987]

@ Pineywoods, it's interesting you brought that up that although they may be able to smell, it's will they react to it. I'm amazed at how scent control has become such an icon for hunting yet hunters who smoke, or drink coffee or eat pickled sandwiches in the woods don't think that smell would radiate from them to a deer as well (and sometimes deer still walk in on these stationed hunters).

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...


Pineywoods and Officerdom1987 make good sense. The people who REALLY benefit from those scents are the stockholders in the companies that make them...!!


Being downwind, still, and silent are still your best choices.


Last year, this or a sister mag (I think) evaluated that repellent, and found that they were ineffective in breezes.