Recent poll shows that 51 percent of deer hunters use some form of scent control

A myriad of scent control products line the shelves of most sporting goods stores. And the type varies from sprays to wipes. Photo by author

With deer hunting season about to get underway in Pennsylvania, its interesting to note that 88 percent of hunters believe scent control products are effective for their intended purpose, according to Southwick Associates, the leading market research and economics firm in the outdoor industry. Among those hunters, 51 percent use them.

Scent control has to be one of the most debated topics in the hunting world. Hunters wonder whether or not products that are geared to hide or mask human scent while hunting are effective.  A recent HunterSurvey.com poll sheds new light on the topic. Southwick Associates broke the topic into several products.  So, which of these are used the most? 

Scent control sprays, applied just prior to going to a stand or into the field, are the overwhelming favorite choice of today’s scent-conscious sportsmen with 85 percent using them. Following directly applied sprays, the survey found these other products to be quite popular:

• Scent-Control Detergent and Dryer Sheets, 71 percent
• Scent-Control Hygiene Products, 54 percent
• Scent-Control Hair Products, 47 percent
• Scent-Control Clothing, 28 percent
• Scent-Control Bags or Containers, 27 percent

Field wipes (20 percent), ozone products while hunting (4 percent), ozone products while stored (3%), and unspecified “other” items (2 percent) rounded out the survey results. 

Among those hunters who don’t use scent control products, the top reasons for taking a pass on them include: the belief that they do not work (42 percent), cost (21 percent), prefer the challenge of hunting without them (10 percent) and lack of product awareness (4 percent). More than 32 percent of respondents cited “other reasons,” including not needing scent control for species, such as waterfowl and wild turkeys.

“This survey may not settle the debate on the effectiveness of these products in managing scents, but it does show the majority of sportsmen do believe in them and in fact use them to gain an edge in the field,” says Cody Larimore, research analyst at Southwick Associates, which designs and conducts the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com.

To help improve, protect and advance hunting, shooting and other outdoor recreational activities, all sportsmen and sportswomen are encouraged to participate in the bi-monthly surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and/or AnglerSurvey.com. Participants who complete the surveys are entered into a drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of their choice.

FISHING & FUN IN THE PARK

The Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living (LVCIL) is hosting Fishing & Fun in the Park for folks with disabilities.  LVCIL is an Allentown non-profit that helps people with disabilities achieve their independence and is sponsoring the free event on Sept. 23 in the Little Lehigh Creek. The section of creek between the steel and Robin Hood bridges in Lehigh Parkway will get stocked with between 300-400 trout will be stocked. The event will be manned by volunteers from local sportsmen’s clubs who will stock the fish plus help participants with baiting their hooks, casting and landing their fish. 

The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission loaned 85 fishing poles for the participants while local sporting goods stores donated bait and food which last year had more than 500 people attending.  

Fishing will kick off at 9 a.m. and continue until 2 p.m. To register for the free event go to www.lvcil.org/fishing. 

2017-18 HUNTING LICENSES

If you haven’t purchased your hunting license or applied for an antlerless tag, you’re may not aware that the Pa Hunting/Trapping Digest will now cost you $6, or you can get a free online version if you have access to a computer. If you do, go to www.pgc.pa.gov and click on the Digest to read and print out anything that you want. 

Since the Pennsylvania Game Commission is cutting corners, this is another saver for them as well as the new pheasant hunting permit that you’ll need if you want to hunt long-tails. 
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