COVER SCENT OR COVER UP?

SOMETHING SMELLS
By Jim Foster

(Published 9/28/2007 Port Isabel South Padre Island Press - San Benito News)

Ever since I began hunting many years ago I have understood the importance of using something to cover the human scent.

For many years I have sworn by a product introduced to be by the late Johnny Stewart – Tex Isablel’s Cover Scent. This two-part mixture produces the smell of a mad skunk. It did a great job of hiding my human scent to incoming animals like deer and bobcats.

Today I use a product sold by Wildlife Research Center and is called Scent Killer. This product does work, and I have animals come within a few feet of me with out smelling the scent of man. Spray it on it dries and that’s that.

Over the last few years the outdoor markets have been flooded with clothing products claiming they will contain or kill the human scent. These rather costly pants, shirts, hats, and other products have become popular to those who have the bucks.

Of course, there have always been outdoor people who must have the newest, latest, and sometimes strangest outdoor products. Scent-killing clothing has headed the list.

This clothing, which has been on the market for about a dozen years and is sold by virtually every major outdoor retailer in the nation, is under fire.

Lately in a news in a report someone is not only challenging the effectiveness of these products but are suing a major manufacturer for duping hunters out of millions of dollars by selling them a product that doesn't work.

The suit was filed against ALS Enterprises Inc. of Muskegon, Michigan, which produces and licenses Scent-Lok clothing sold under that name and others, including ScentBlocker. The suit says the company is the largest maker of such clothing and licenses it to at least 22 others, including Gander Mountain Co., Cabela's Inc., Bass Pro Shops Inc. and Browning Arms Co. Those four firms also are named as defendants.

The lawsuit is just the latest salvo fired at ALS and its sellers. The question of whether the company's clothing works as claimed has been the topic of Internet chat rooms for about the past year.

T.R. Michels, 57, of Burnsville, Minnesota, an outdoor writer, author, hunting guide and frequent hunting seminar speaker claims to be the one who started “the stink” – no pun intended. The whole issue is presented on his web site; (www.trmichels.com). Why not take a look and see what you think - then let me know.

Until then, it might be wise to use the much less expensive SCENT KILLER from Wildlife Research Center.

If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please e-mail him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com