[Good Moses]

After reading this thread, http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1594267&highlight=dander, I decided to try some Evercalm because none of my local stores sell Deer Dander.

As the thread seemed to instruct, I applied the Evercalm to my boots approx 100 yards from my stand and walked the remaining distance to the tree. Once I arrived at my tree, I applied a bit more to my boots and to three surrounding trees and a little on the ground. At about 8:30, I heard a deer blow. I could tell from the direction of the blow that the deer was crossing the same path I had taken to my tree. I was sitting still as a dead man in my stand, so I know it wasn't movement. And the wind was favorable, so I don't think it was my body scent that spooked the deer. I rarely, rarely get busted on scent, so I have pretty much decided that it must have been the Evercalm I had tracked in on my boots that spooked the deer.

So, from what i descibed as my use of the Evercalm, does it sound like I used too much of it or used it improperly? Or could it just be that the scent was unfamiliar to the deer and that's what spooked it? I know the whole point of calming scents is to duplicate a familiar smell to the deer, but it is still an artificial scent. And on top of that, it smells like a herd of srape making, legs-soaked-with-pee, rutty bucks just walked through. So I'm wondering if it is a little too strong.

Thanks for any advice. Just wondering if I need to adjust the way I use this before I try it again. Also worth noting is that I am a total rookie to using scents. This is my first time with it, so please let me know if a better application works.

 

[bowhntng4evr]

Most scents which deer aren't familiar with, will spook them. Some of the younger bucks might come in to investigate the foreign smell. I think the best way to get the big bucks, is to be as scent free as possible. I would also, not walk near their paths. If you can gain access to a deer farm near you who sells deer urine, you might have some luck. But, urine starts to break down soon after its collected. So, I personally don't use deer urine.

 

[Uncle Bucky]

Harmon interdigital, best stuff I've ever used

 

[Good Moses]

Most scents which deer aren't familiar with, will spook them. Some of the younger bucks might come in to investigate the foreign smell. I think the best way to get the big bucks, is to be as scent free as possible. I would also, not walk near their paths. If you can gain access to a deer farm near you who sells deer urine, you might have some luck. But, urine starts to break down soon after its collected. So, I personally don't use deer urine.

Thanks, I think you're right about any unfamiliar scent spooking them. So I'm gonna be careful about using this stuff again. I don't hunt big bucks specifically. I hunt public land almost exclusively for deer so it is a little tough to pattern individual deer. I have had better luck by just remaining scent-free like you said, so I'll probably just go back to that.

Thanks for the advice

 

[mwitty111]

I literally just walked in the door with a new stick of that stuff I just bought at Dick's. Fart.


-Witty

 

[bsizzle]

I've never had good luck with any of those stick scents. Other gel scents have worked well for me though.

Sent from the best bowhunting gadget ever, bro.

 

[buckhead]

Most scents which deer aren't familiar with, will spook them. Some of the younger bucks might come in to investigate the foreign smell. I think the best way to get the big bucks, is to be as scent free as possible.

Thats some of the best info there is. I always try to convey the same idea whenever people start talking about attractor scents and such.

If it's not something they normally smell in their environment, they will go on alert. The young ones might investigate, but the mature deer know better.

 

[UnlicenseDremel]

Anything different is BAD to a deer. They're catching hunters, not deer.

 

[Scott99]

Was it the spray or the stick?

 

[Good Moses]

Was it the spray or the stick?

It was the stick. That's all the store had.

 

[HOTTSCENTS]

Well I have personally purchased the "EVERCALM" because they are my direct compedator and their evercalm compared to our "HERD BLEND" Is a much different smell? So to answer your question "Did You Use It Wrong" NO I dont think you did, I think you used it just as it was intended. I think the everclam is a formula that is man made?? Our HERD BLEND is 100% Natural to our environment. and smell just like a bedding area.

 

[Ronin Conan]

If it's not something they normally smell in their environment, they will go on alert. The young ones might investigate, but the mature deer know better.

Makes me wonder if eucalyptus oil would be a successful scent mask down here. Hmmm. I imagine it'd just be way too strong though.

 

[Rooster7]

Well I have personally purchased the "EVERCALM" because they are my direct compedator and their evercalm compared to our "HERD BLEND" Is a much different smell? So to answer your question "Did You Use It Wrong" NO I dont think you did, I think you used it just as it was intended. I think the everclam is a formula that is man made?? Our HERD BLEND is 100% Natural to our environment. and smell just like a bedding area.

>>>>Insert Shameless Promo Here<<<<

 

[scrapejuice]

I've tried it a couple times and had mixed results with does and young bucks. Mixed enough, I quite using it, and would NEVER risk using it if I was trying to kill a mature buck. Like some others said, they ain't no magic bullets out there. If your after a big mature buck, leave the gimmicks at home. Best scent for a mature buck is NONE at all. Just my .02.

 

[scrapejuice]

>>>>Insert Shameless Promo Here<<<<

glad you said it. I was thinking it, but couldn't bring myself to say it.

 

[freebird134]

I bought it this year and used it the first week of archery season. I saw no evidence that it affected them either way: good or bad. I had a camera near my stand and was fairly aware of the deer coming through that spot (a couple small bucks, 2 does, and 3 or 4 fawns). I put the evercalm on my boots, trees near my stand, and in front of my camera. The deer never stopped coming through. I shot a doe and fawn, and had one buck right under my stand within feet of where I spread the evercalm. He was definitely calm, but never gave me a good shot.

I certainly am not advocating the stuff, but in my few hunts with it I don't think it hurt.

 

[jsurvant]

Well I have personally purchased the "EVERCALM" because they are my direct compedator and their evercalm compared to our "HERD BLEND" Is a much different smell? So to answer your question "Did You Use It Wrong" NO I dont think you did, I think you used it just as it was intended. I think the everclam is a formula that is man made?? Our HERD BLEND is 100% Natural to our environment. and smell just like a bedding area.

Hey Mark, it is natural ingredients in general or natural from deer? Just interested and curious in your product. I use evercalm here and there as well.

 

[ARthumper]

I just used a little on the outside of my bootsoles. i didnt rub it on trees etc. I just used it last weekend for the first time and had does come from downwind all weekend. They never blew and 2 of them are in my freezer, but have not had any experiences with a buck yet but am going to continue to experiment with it until I get busted then Ill chunk it.

 

[BigWoods]

I have used it as well and don't think it has ever spooked deer but has not attracted, stopped them in a certain spot or made them act any different than if I used nothing at all. I quit using it because it really made no difference either way. I figured it was best to remain as scent free as possible if it has no noticable benefit.

 

[manhanriverbuck]

November 2011 I was up in a 17' ladder stand and had a doe and 2 fawns bed down 25 yards away downwind for 2 1/2 hours. I was using evercalm stick on my clothes and they never new I was there!!!