Why I Hunt With Ozonics

I’m often asked if using an Ozonics ozone generator is “worth it.” My typical answer is, “Yes, and if you had witnessed all the things I have while using this technology over the past 12 years or so, you would think so as well.”

In my experience, nothing is fail-safe, especially when dealing with the nuclear-powered olfactory system in whitetails and other big game animals. That said, there have been countless times over years of running Ozonics that things have happened that I could not explain — other than to deduce that the stream of ozone was responsible.

I have found that most big game animals, when they get downwind of the ozone stream, will detect the odor. They may pause, raise their nose with quivering nostrils, and appear to be contemplating what it is that they smell. This is when the divergent reactions occur. Many of these animals simply go back to what they were doing. They smelled something but it didn’t present a threat. Some will get stiff-legged, showing some nervousness, as though they were suspicious of potential danger. They often continue on their way, but they don’t snort or raise alarm. A surprisingly few animals exhibit a negative reaction. They smell something out-of-place and don’t wait around to ask questions. There’s no predicting the reaction but a full-blown alarm flight, such as you might experience with no ozone, is in the minority. These days, if a doe snorts at me it’s because she picked me off in the stand rather than got a snootful of human scent.

How does this relate to your hunting? Well, one of the problems we all face, especially during the rut, is getting an estrous doe past us and through our scent stream without incident so that a buck that is following her can continue his pursuit with confidence. Even if the doe gets a bit nervous at the scent of ozone, it is usually not enough trepidation to discourage a pursuing buck. Also, if one or two young bucks come out first and they get past me and my scent, it’s far more likely a mature buck will follow their lead. I’ve seen both scenarios unfold many times.

Ozonics has covered me multiple times, often to my disbelief, when treestand hunting but this technology is especially effective when hunting from a ground blind. I hang mine near the downwind edge of a window, often outside the blind, and have had whitetails, Coues deer, mule deer, antelope, and elk downwind many times without spooking. We’ve set up in a hayfield covered with large, round bales and had both mule deer and whitetails surround us with little to no reaction. And remember, I always have a cameraman with me so that is double the human scent. Such experiences only have to happen a couple times before you become a believer and it has changed the way I plan my hunt strategy.

There are still doubters after all these years (90 percent of which have likely never used the technology, or if they have, they expected miracles), but Ozonics is still thriving. Some whitetail outfitters even provide a unit for their clients to use. That should tell you something. This is not a miracle solution for the control of human scent, but I have seen far too many instances that defy logic. And for me, the best science is what I see with my own eyes.

I’m currently using the new Ozonics HR500, which features a quieter fan, especially in Boost mode, and a Bluetooth Ozonics app that allows me to control the unit from my smart phone. I can turn it on and off and can adjust the settings to Standard, Boost, or Hyperboost without creating game-spooking movement. That proved to be more beneficial than expected this past fall. The HR500 also has Locker and DriWash modes for use when de-scenting your clothing and pack in camp or at home.

Ozonics is an investment in your hunting, but considering all the time, effort, and money we spend trying to get close to deer and other game, it’s only natural for some to ask if it’s worth it. I can tell you there are many outfitters, guides, and cameramen who will tell you the benefits are real. Some of you will say that because Ozonics is a sponsor of Bowhunter TV, my testimonial is biased. You would be wrong about that. My personal integrity is worth far more than a sponsorship. I would not endorse any product that I believed was a gimmick. So, my answer is, yes, Ozonics is worth it.