June 03, 2014
With crossbows now firmly entrenched in the archery industry, it was with plenty of excitement that I accepted my first hunting invitation that involved a horizontal bow in late March of 2013. ALPS OutdoorZ and Browning Camping — along with public relations firm Howard Communications — brought a group of outdoor writers from across the nation to the great turkey state of Nebraska in search of the popular Merriam.
To say we got into a couple of birds would be quite the understatement. Our group braved temperatures that started at 7 degrees on a slow opening morning, but after the weather heated up later that afternoon, the turkey hunting was quick to follow.
In all, we finished well into double digits in kills, and a lot of that had to do with the great gear we were using for the hunt.
Here is the gear that worked for us. Don't take my word for it though — give the following items a try for yourself.
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Bushnell | Archer Lately, I've been wearing the
Archer from Bushnell Performance Footwear . These boots are designed with 400-gram Thinsulate Ultra Insulation (they also have the uninsulated Bucktale boots), a Dual Density Heel Cushioning System, are fleece lined, and 100 percent waterproof. To help with odor control, each features ScentMask Odor Elimination.
Price: $ 180
Cabela's | Scent-Free Rubber Boots Another great option for the bowhunter looking to take advantage of the scent control that knee-high boots offer is available through Cabela's. Their
Scent-Free 400-gram Thinsulate Rubber Boots are 18 inches tall, 5.6 pounds per pair, and clad in Cabela's Zonz Woodlands camouflage. Each pair is designed with ankle-fit construction, bob-style outsoles for better traction, and are as scent-free as they come.
Price: $ 95
LaCrosse | AeroHead I've spent plenty of time scouting and hunting deer, hanging cameras, baiting bears, and generally tromping around while wearing the
AeroHead from LaCrosse Footwear . These boots are 100 percent waterproof, 18 inches tall, weigh 4 pounds per pair, and are offered in in two models — 3.5mm or 7mm, which refers to the thickness of naturally insulating neoprene. AeroHeads are comfortable and extremely tough, which is something I put to the test while baiting bears last summer.
I was in a hurry and had to move a fencepost to park in a friend's field. The post was meant to keep people out. When I went to kick the post back into place, the bottom of the post hit a rock and part of the post went clear through my AeroHead and into my foot. I figured my AeroHeads were now no longer waterproof, but I was wrong. Like my foot, they self-healed and remain waterproof to this day.
Price: $ 130 (3.5mm) or
$ 140 (7mm)
Lethal | Human Scent Elminator Field Spray & Activator Lethal's Human Scent Eliminator Field Spray & Activator is ideal for erasing scent on your boots. Developed by chemists, the two-part system contains a spray bottle and a concentrated activator that, when combined, creates a permanent binding effect to erase odors. The ability to activate this product yourself ensures that you know it's fresh and ready to fight odors.
Price: $ 14
Primos | Control Freak Primos also has its hand in the scent-control game, and few products are better for dousing those knee-highs than their new
Control Freak line of products. Control Freak provides dual action against bacterial and nonbacterial odors, ensuring you're covered no matter what stinky things you encounter (or produce). Control Freak is formulated to provide up to 24 hours of deer-fooling coverage.
Price: $ 10-
$ 15
Hunter's Specialties | Scent-A-Way MAX Another quality option for spritzing down your favorite boots (or all clothing and gear) comes from
Hunter's Specialties . Their new
Scent-A-Way MAX is formulated with activated odor scrubbers to attract and then attack odors at the molecular level. MAX is available in either Odorless or Fresh Earth, and can be purchased in a 12- or 32-oz. spray bottle, or in a Continuous Spray aerosol can that will spray upside down.
Price: $ 5.29 (12 oz.);
$ 8.99 (32 oz.);
$ 7.29 (Continuous Spray)
Robinson Outdoor | Trinity Blast Scent Eliminator Plenty of us know about scent control through our use of
Robinson Outdoor Products' ScentBlocker clothing, but what you may not know is they also have a new
Trinity Blast spray that employs polymeric technology to neutralize odors and prevent new odors from forming. Choose from an easy to carry 12-oz. option, or larger 24- and 32-oz. bottles.
Price: $ 6-
$ 13
Wildlife Research Center | Scent Killer Gold with Hunt Dry Technology Tink's | B-Tech Odor Eliminator No Pump Spray I've put
Tink's products through the wringer, and a few years ago while sitting on the ground, I actually had a young buck walk up and eat the grass that I was sitting in. I could have reached out and petted him. One of the main reasons he didn't know I was there was that I had just sprayed from head to toe with B-Tech before constructing a makeshift natural blind. Their
B-Tech Odor Eliminator No Pump Spray is a personal favorite because it fits in a pack better than conventional spray bottles and can be sprayed upside down.
Price: $ 11
Evolved Under Armour | Scent Elimination Spray When two industry powerhouses come together to combat scent, you know it's going to be good. Case in point, Evolved Habitats joining forces with Under Armour to create the new
Evolved Under Armour Scent Elimination line. Each product uses a combination of Zeolites and chemical compounds to create an irreversible chemical reaction that permanently eliminates odors. The 32-oz. Scent Elimination Spray is perfect for close-to-home hunts, as well as hunts into uncharted territory.
Price: $ 17
Upwind | Odor Eliminator An under-the-radar option for eliminating human scent comes your way via
Upwind , which uses MCC copper ion technology. This technology is extremely effective at eradicating scent, and Upwind products are biodegradable, nonirritating to skin, and last for hours. Upwind not only destroys human odor, but also odors from smoke, chemicals, food, fuel, and a litany of other game-spooking offenders.
Price: $ 15 (32 oz.)
