You won’t hear many guys out there say that they actually look forward to an argument with their wife.  Well, maybe I am a little different, but every year at this time I can count on a good one with my significant other, and the bad thing is, I look forward to it.  No I don’t like to fight with my wife, but this time of year it can mean only one thing – ARCERY SEASON IS HERE!

Over the years I have become absolutely obsessive with scent control and there is no doubt in my mind that it has increased my chances each year of harvesting deer.  Unfortunately for me, my wife does not have much time or appreciation for my obsession.  I guess there aren’t many women out there that like their entire home to smell like dirt from earth dryer sheets and scent wafers so I can’t really hold it against her.

Dead Down Wind Dryer Sheets, Shampoo and Deodorant, Primos Silver XP Laundry Detergent, and Wildlife Researcher Center Scent Killer

Like every year, I take inventory of all my clothes and equipment and then prepare to make them as scent free as possible.  This year I am trying a couple of different products that I have been reading about.  The one product that I was especially interested in trying was the new Primos Silver XP Laundry Detergent.  As most of you know, we have been wearing Medalist clothing for the past two years and I am a complete believer in the silver technology that they use.  It is interesting for me to see all these new products coming out with something that Medalist has known for years, silver is the best method for effective scent control.

Clothing includes; base layers, socks, hats and facemasks, lightweight, heavyweight and rainwear.

Hunter Specialties Scent Proof Bag – I have three of these bad boys full of clothes.

Each year I begin the process by heading to the basement and bringing up all the bags of clothing that are stored in my Hunter Specialties Scent Proof bags and then kept in a plastic crate during the offseason.  While many would probably say that they are already scent free if you stored them this way, I like to take inventory and wash all the clothes at the beginning of each season.  I am also meticulous about which clothes go in which bag, that way no matter what bag I open up, all I need to see is one piece of clothing and I know all the contents of that bag.  Believe me, this system has saved me hours of rooting through bags looking for a particular item.

Pair of Medalist Cheyenne Pants in the new Mossy Oak Tree Stand Pattern

All of the clothing is split into it’s proper pile which includes, base layers, lightweight, heavyweight, raingear, hats, facemasks, gloves and socks.  I also wash several pair of underwear and my shower towels that I will use during the season.  It doesn’t make much sense to try and be scent free and then slap on a pair of underwear and socks out of your drawer that were washed and dryed with perfume scented dryer sheets.  It also doesn’t make sense to take a scent free shower and then dry off with a towel that hasn’t been washed in scent free detergent.

My Watchman Cap, Medalist Hat and Facemask

Now all of these scent free steps are only one piece of the puzzle, probably the most important is good scent protection clothing. I have been wearing Medalist clothes for the past two seasons and wouldn’t be caught in the woods during season without them on.  Medalist clothing as mentioned before uses silver technology and many of you may ask what that means and how does it work.  Unlike the carbon based clothing systems that actually absorb scent, the silvermax technology works to kill the scent and inhibits the growth of bacteria causing odor.

Silvermax technology, unlike carbon based systems, does not lose its effectiveness over time and has been tested with washing over 250 times with no diminishing effect on the clothing.  Many of our field staff wear Medalist for different reason, but my number one reason for wearing Medalist, is how easy it is to take care of.  You can store it with all your clothes, scent wafers, hang it outside, wash it in a stream.  Unlike carbon suits that have to go right from the dryer to a storage bag and can never hang outside or get mixed up with any of your non-carbon clothing, Medalist can go wherever.  So lets review because all this techy talk can get confusing.  The main reasons I use Medalist;

1. It actually kills bacteria that causes human odor unlike carbon based suits that absorb odor
2. It does not lose its effectiveness over time like carbon based suits
3. The number one reason I love Medalist clothing is how easy it is to take care of

All my clothes are washed according to directions at the beginning of season with Primos XP Silver Wash Detergent

After sorting all my clothing, they are then taken to the washer and washed according to directions. This year I am using the Primos XP Silver Wash Detergent.  I am no scientist, but I think it makes sense since I am using silver based technology in my clothing that I should wash it using the same scent inhibitor principles.

Clothes go right from the washer to the dryer and I always use some type of dryer sheet.  Once the clothes are dry they go directly into my Hunter Specialties Scent Proof bag.

All clothes then go directly from the washer to the dryer.  I always make sure I wash my hands without any soap before I switch the clothes.  I also use some type of dryer sheet and this year I am trying some of the Dead Down Wind products.  Once the clothes are dry, they are placed immediately in one of my Hunter Specialties Scent Proof bag and sealed, not to be reopened until I am in the field.

My Hunter Safety System Vest requires hand washing.

My Hunter Safety System Vest requires hand washing.  So each year, I pull it from storage and wash it in the sink using the same Primos detergent and then hang it on the front porch for a few days. Once dry it will go directly into a Hunter Specialties Scent Proof Bag.

My new LaCrosse Alpha Burly II rubber boots.

I am excited to wear my new pair of LaCrosse Alpha Burly II rubber boots that I just received this past week.  As many of you know, when you first get a pair of new rubber boots, they really stink.  So I am spending time washing them down with the Primos detergent as suggested to me by GTBullet on the forum board and spraying them down everyday.  If you have any suggestions for taking the stink out of rubber boots, I would love to hear them, so comment by clicking here.

Some of the items in my backpack.

The last thing I do is take inventory of my backpack and it’s contents.  Some of my items include, drag rope, rattle bag, bow hoist, earth wafers, ranger finder, two flash lights, pruning shears, grunt call and my knife.  Every year it is important to change the batteries in the flashlights and rangefinder and organize all my equipment.

Well I hope that I haven’t taken you to far into my world of obsession, but like I said before, this is a game of the little things and they all add up.  I would be interested to hear about your techniques and products that you like when making yourself invisible in the woods so click here to let us know what you do.  Also, it will make me feel better to know there are others out there like me.

Now all that is left to do is go hunting and I would like to wish everyone the best of luck.  Please be safe and always wear your safety harness.  Hopefully the next journal will be one about meat in the freezer!

Jason