It’s hard to not get obsessive about scent control. Sometimes you scrub yourself down the morning of, but you still see that big buck catch a whiff of you and disappear back behind the tree line. After these hunts I always find myself wishing I could shrink down in one of those ships like in Fantastic Voyage and zap every last odor molecule off my body and gear.
Of course, you can’t actually shrink down to microscopic size, but you can do your research and get the very best scent elimination product. You can’t watch it happen, but the right product will work just like that tiny submarine to get rid of any odor particles.
If you’ve never given human scent elimination products a try, you might want to consider it this season. You can read over the facts and science to see why. Once you’re convinced, look at our list of top five products. Each one stood out to us for one reason to other, and you’re sure to find one that’ll work for you.
In the right place? Checkout these following links if you’re looking for deer attractants, deer scents, calls or for more on hiding your smell you might want to checkout this list of the best over scents.
The Best Scent Killer Products – Our Picks
- Dead Down Wind Dryer Sheets – Best scent killer dryer sheets
- Wildlife Research Center Scent Killer – A scent killer spray with lab proven effectiveness
- Scentlok Carbon Adsorber – A great use of activated carbon technology, just stick it in your duffle
- Scent Crusher Tote Bag – Best scent killer tote bag
- PhaZe Body Odor System – We liked system because it even controls dandruff
- Dead Down Wind Trophy Hunter Kit – An all-in-one scent elimination kit that tackles every aspect of scent control
Note: Our individual reviews are below, but you can also click any of the links above to check current prices on Amazon and other retailers
Our Top Picks In Detail
Dead Down Wind Dryer Sheets
If you are bothered by scent killer sprays, creams, or anything that you have to apply to the clothing and skin, then the Dead Down dryer sheets are the perfect way to go. Simply place all of your hunting clothes into the dryer, toss in one of the Dead Down Wind dryer sheets and enjoy your hunt with total odor elimination.
Packs come with 15 biodegradable 8” x 7” saturated sheets that can eliminate the odors on your hunting gear before 15 days of hunting. As an added bonus, the sheets provide an anti-static guard as well.
Dead Down Wind Dryer Sheets are simple, effective, and well-reviewed by hunters all around North America.
What we liked:
- Completely biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
- Easy to use and one pack is good for up to 15 days of hunting.
- Anti-static guard as an added bonus.
- Perfect for people who hate applying scent spray or cream.
- Extremely low cost.
What we didn’t:
- Small pack size – Only sold in packs of 15.
Wildlife Research Center Scent Killer / Spay
Are you worried that your scent is giving away your location to deer and other large game in the field while you are bow hunting? We are not saying that you personally have a bad odor that is scaring off potential targets, all humans give off a distinctive scent that may be undetectable to yourself and others, but deer have an extremely acute sense of smell.
You can try to always remain downwind of the direction you think your targets will be approaching, however, sometimes the wind and weather are unpredictable. Or maybe you are unable to move locations due to changes in the wind because you are in a tree stand.
The use of a powerful scent killer is a way to make your scent undetectable and allow you to remain in a certain location no matter which way the wind blows.
This super-charged formula has been tested extensively by Rutgers University and it has been determined that The Wildlife Research Center Scent Killer controls human scent on the molecular level. By preventing gas formation, this scent killer is 99% effective at stopping the replication of human odor.
Use the spray bottle to apply the formula to yourself and your clothes and instantly it goes to work killing your scent. The formula is long-lasting, effective, and gives you peace of mind knowing that big game are unable to detect you by your smell.
What we liked:
- Kills human scent instantly on the molecular level.
- Long-lasting, extremely effective, and laboratory tested for proven results.
- Includes the spray bottle and a jug of the formula to refill the bottle.
- You do not need to use a lot for it to be effective.
- Comes in two 24-ounce bottles, or one 24-ounce bottle with a 1-gallon refill jug.
What we didn’t:
- Inconvenient to carry with you in the field.
Scentlok Carbon Adsorber
If you are looking for a scent killer to place inside of a closet, footlocker, or duffle bag, the Scentlok Carbon Adsorber is exactly what you are looking for. This carbon adsorber can be placed anywhere, and there is no need to reactivate the carbon at any time throughout the hunting season. This item is guaranteed to last one full hunting season.
Wherever you store your hunting gear, you will want the Scentlok Carbon Adsorber there as well to actively take away any unwanted odors from all your gear.
The Adsorber measures 14.25” x 13” x 0.5” and weighs only 4.16-ounces.
What we liked:
- Easy to use and long lasting. Simply place in any area where you store your hunting gear.
- Small and lightweight enough to place in a duffle bag.
- One of these will last the entire hunting season.
What we didn’t:
- Does not work for you when you are in the field.
Scent Crusher Tote Bag
Store all your hunting jackets, long pants, gloves, hats, and even boots in the Scent Crusher Multipurpose Scent Free Tote Bag. This tote bag is completely waterproof, and aroma controlled.
It is easy to carry, constructed to take some wear and tear, and it can be used as a dressing table mat in the field to keep you dry. Overall, the bag is lightweight for easy transport and it measures at 33” x 24”.
What we liked:
- Large enough to fit hunting gear for one or two persons.
- Eliminates odors of everything that is stored in the bag, while in the bag.
- Durable construction.
- Water resistant.
- Affordable.
What we didn’t:
- Only eliminates odors of items inside while they are inside. Better to use a scent killer spray or dry sheet in addition to the bag.
PhaZe Body Odor System
PhaZe is a relatively new brand on the scent-control market. You can tell by their sleek modern labeling. It’s still managed to become a popular choice for hunters to want to control their own scent.
One of the great parts of this system is the three-step design. The first step cleans you off with shampoo, body wash, etc. The second takes care of your clothes. Last, there’s a field foam to control your scent while you’re actually hunting. The only problem with this is the six bottles it comes in that you have to keep track of.
This scent control also tackles a problem a lot of systems overlook. It conditions your skin and prevents dandruff. This is important not just because dry skin and dandruff are annoying, but because if you go leaving flakes all over the woods, any game will smell you for sure.
PhaZe is environmentally friendly and safe for sensitive skin, too. It has a ten-year shelf life that makes it a good choice for hunters who don’t use cover scent much and want something they can use season after season.
- Three-step design
- Covers scent on body and clothes
- Prevents dandruff
- Environmentally friendly
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Ten-year shelf life
PhaZe is environmentally friendly and safe for sensitive skin, too. It has a ten-year shelf life that makes it a good choice for hunters who don’t use cover scent much and want something they can use season after season.
- Three-step design
- Covers scent on body and clothes
- Prevents dandruff
- Environmentally friendly
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Ten-year shelf life
- Six different bottles
Dead Down Wind Trophy Hunter Kit
You’ve probably seen the Dead Down Wind products around in their safety-orange containers. Hunters have been using the various scent control products to conceal themselves in the woods for years.
One of our favorite things about this kit is all the different little ways it covers your scent. For example, it comes with scent-control lip balm and camo face paint. Of course, it also comes with the standard products like soap and laundry detergent.
Dead Down Wind also takes convenience seriously. All the products come in easy-to-use containers including a simple 64-oz spray bottle to use in the field. However, because of its easy-spray design, it might leak in your rucksack, so pack it carefully.
All the products in this kit are safe for sensitive skin. It comes at a great price too. If you’re new to scent killers and want an affordable all-in-one product, this could be your best bet.
- Wide variety of products
- Easy-to-use containers
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Low price range
- All in one
- Spray bottle might leak
BoneView Ozone Generator
Versatility is where this scent killer system really shines. It’s a small and compact generator that you can fit into everything from a rucksack to a plastic tub. Plus, it runs on a rechargeable battery, so you can run it in any container and even take it along with you.
Because the BoneView is small and portable, its output isn’t as high as some other generators. It’s best for keeping small amounts of gear. It works well to keep extra clothing scent free in your pack.
For an advanced electronic, this generator comes at a really affordable price. The materials and construction are high quality. The battery is built to last over 500 recharges.
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- Versatile uses
- Small and compact
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- Portable
- Low price range
- Low ozone output
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Remington Hunting Odor Elimination Spray
This scent blocker spray might be your best option if you want something quick and simple. It’s just one liquid in an easy-to-use spray bottle.
It is super versatile. You can use it on all types of fabrics and even rubber and plastics, so you can douse your boots and gear. It doesn’t stain, so your camo will stay vibrant. Unfortunately, it isn’t really designed to eliminate human odors, so you have to make sure you’re clean before your trip.
This spray lasts a while. One spray will last all day. In fact, it even protects clothing from building up odor when you store it for the off season.
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- Only for gearEasy-to-use spray bottle
- Works on a wide range of fabrics
- Doesn’t stain
- Lasts all day
- Usable in the off season
- Only for gear
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How do scent eliminators work?
Most human body odor is produced by bacteria that break down human sweat. Our bodies also produce other chemicals and particles that deer can smell. Scent eliminators tackle these processes through a variety of ways.
Soaps and shampoos
You can find scent control body soaps, body washes, shampoos, even conditioners. These work to remove odorous chemicals and the microbes that produce them. Use these to wash yourself off right before you head to your stand. Unlike normal soaps and shampoos, they aren’t made with any perfumes, so you end up with a neutral scent.
Laundry detergents
Clothes build up bacteria, human skin cells, all sort of things that make them smell. It’s important to wash your hunting gear, but if you use a standard detergent, you take that strong soapy smell out into the woods with you. Scent control detergents are scent neutral so you’re be unsmellable.
Field sprays
I hate to break it to you, but the moment you step out of the shower, those odor causing bacteria will start building back up. Your body starts producing sweat and other chemicals. Field sprays are chemicals that bind to odor molecules and neutralize your scent. Carry one with you on your hunt to use as you need it.
Ozone
These days you have more technological options, too. Ozone gas is a molecule made of three oxygen atoms rather than two like the oxygen we breathe. It’s produced by lightning strikes and common in the upper atmosphere but not as much down near the ground.
Ozone is a highly reactive chemical, so it bonds easily with odor-causing molecules turning them into other chemicals completely. It also kills bacteria and other microbes to prevent that odor from returning.
Scent eliminators vs cover scents
While they serve a similar purpose, scent eliminators and cover scents are not the same thing.
Scent eliminators work to remove the chemicals and bacteria on your body and on your clothes that create smells. To deer these odors identify you as human and therefore a predator. Deer can smell even the lightest of odors from far away. If they sniff you out, you probably won’t even see them.
Cover scents don’t eliminate your personal scent. Instead they create another scent that masks it. Deer have powerful noses, but you can actually use this to your advantage. If you can overstimulate the deer’s nose with an odor that seems harmless to them, they won’t notice the stray odor molecule from your sweat.
When it comes to scent control versus cover scents, it shouldn’t be a choice. Because a deer’s sense of smell is so strong, it’s best to use as many resources and strategies as you can. Your sense of smell isn’t any match, so there’s no way for you to know how well you’ve eliminated or covered your scent. Best to just use both.
The best methods are sometimes just common sense
Like everything when you’re hunting whitetail, scent control is more than just buying the right product. A lot of the best scent control methods just involve smart preparation and good day-of strategies.
Leave strong smells at home
You probably use a lot of things on a daily basis that have strong smells. You might be used to these scents, but to deer, they’re giant red flags. Cigarette smoke–even if you smoke before you leave the house–is a definite no-go. Other tobacco products can be dead giveaways as well. If you bring food with you, pack it well and try to make it scent neutral. Obviously, you have to leave strong chemicals like gasoline or paint at home too.
Don’t sweat it
Sweat is your biggest enemy when it comes to scent control. Sweat produces the unique odors that identify you as a human hunter. Try to avoid working one up as best you can. That means take it easy on your hike in to your stand and dress in layers appropriate for the weather. If you get warm, take a layer off to keep yourself at a cool temperature.
Mind the wind
Deer are smart enough to position themselves based on the wind, so you should too. Determine where the deer will be coming from, then set up your stand or blind downwind from that location. This way the wind catches the odor from your body and gear and carries it away from the deer rather than toward them.
Avoid crossing paths
If you know where the deer trails are and how they move into their feeding areas, make sure you don’t walk along the same paths. This minimizes the risk that you’ll leave some scent behind that’ll prompt the local herd to move differently.
Keep clean
Perhaps the most important factor, you have to bathe and wash your clothes before hunting. This is where choosing the right product does come in. Whatever you use to wash up, it has to remove sweat and other human chemicals while not leaving any of its own scents or chemicals behind.
Ideally, you should wash yourself immediately before you head out in the morning. Even if you shower the night before, you’ll sweat in your sleep, pick up detergent odors from the bed and build bacteria back up on your skin.
You can wash your gear a few days before and use the time in between to apply cover scent. My favorite strategy has always been washing my camos with a scent-neutral detergent several days before and then stuffing them in a plastic tub filled with fallen leaves and pine needles.