Wind and Scent Control for Hunters

The Alaska Bowhunter Safety Course puts it plainly: big game animals are very sensitive to scent and quickly leave any area with the wind-borne or ground scent of humans. This guide covers which animals that applies to, playing the wind, reducing scent, attractants, and what the evidence says about scent-control products, following the Alaska course, Penn State’s deer research team and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Who can smell you (Alaska course)

• Sensitive: white-tailed deer, Sitka black-tailed deer, foxes and coyotes can detect hidden hunters by scent. See our whitetail deer profile.
• Not very sensitive: squirrels, rabbits, turkeys and waterfowl rarely spook at human scent.

Playing the wind

The course’s rule for ground blinds applies to any stand: set up downwind or crosswind of where you expect game, because your scent drifts downwind. Plan for the usual wind at that time of day, such as the morning wind, and change spots if it shifts. Experienced deer hunters writing for Outdoor Life warn that a buck that seems to walk away may circle downwind of you, so watch your downwind side. Weather shifts change the wind; our weather and animal movement guide covers it.

Reducing your scent (Alaska course)

• Boots: wear rubber-soled boots, which absorb less odour.
• Clothes: store hunting clothes in plastic bags with cedar, pine or other natural material from your hunting area.
• Cover scents aim to neutralise human odour or hide it under a natural competing scent, and can go on skin, footwear or clothing; many hunters hang scent-soaked cloth around a stand or blind.

Attractants (Alaska course)

Attractants offer a food smell, a scent that arouses bucks, or a “curiosity” scent such as vanilla. A few drops on a leaf or twig at your chosen shot spot can stop a deer there. Don’t put attractants on your skin or clothes: the deer will follow the scent to you. Check your state’s rules, because attractants may not be legal for all species or areas.

What the evidence says about scent-control products

• Scent-adsorbing clothing: a Penn State deer researcher notes the only study he knew of that tested such clothing found it didn’t stop trained search dogs from finding a hidden person, or even slow them down. Wildlife studies with scent-neutralising agents gave mixed results.
• Ozone generators: the EPA explains ozone generators intentionally produce ozone, which when inhaled can damage the lungs; relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation, and no federal agency has approved them for occupied spaces. Don’t run one in an enclosed blind, vehicle or room you’re in.

Our deer scent eliminators review covers the products in more detail.

A practical plan

1. Check the wind before you choose a stand, and have a backup for a different wind.
2. Approach and set up downwind or crosswind of where you expect deer.
3. Keep clothes stored and boots rubber-soled.
4. Use attractants only away from your body, and only where legal.
5. Stay still: the Alaska course notes wildlife reacts more to movement than to shape or colour.

Sources

• Alaska Bowhunter Safety Course (bowhunter-ed.com), Scents and lures, Cover scents and attractants and Ground blinds. Read 28 October 2026.
• Penn State Deer-Forest Study, Dollars and scents. Read 28 October 2026.
• US EPA, Ozone generators that are sold as air cleaners. Read 28 October 2026.
• Outdoor Life, When and how to use a grunt tube. Read 28 October 2026.

---

Recommended Gear on Amazon

• Wind checker - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
• Scent eliminator spray - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
• Scent control storage bag - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases - at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep producing free, in-depth guides.