Mosquitos

[gypsumreaper]

So I was up hiking today and the damn Mosquitos were hellacious. I haven't seen them this bad in years, so I'm kinda worried about archery season... What do you use to get rid of Mosquitos while hunting I'm afraid that regular mosquito spray would be scented by the elk, do they have scent free mosquito repellant?


If you get meat from the store then dont criticize me for having the courage to go out and kill my own meat

 

[OregonJim]

They make some earth scented stuff but it still has a foreign odor.
I used to hunt some terrible locations in regard to mosquitos and I would get by with just a little of that stuff on exposed skin.
Thermacells work wonders but just if your sitting still.

 

[hoshour]

Consumer Reports ranked Unscented Cutter Backwoods the highest of all mosquito repellants, tied for 1st with Off Deep Woods Sportsman II which doesn't say anything about scent.

 

[woodtick]

I use a thermacell, I was skeptical at first but the dang thing works like a charm!!

 

[Dakota Drifter]

I've seen somewhere that the thermacell doesn't work above 4500'. Is this true?

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Does the thermocell work while walking or hiking?

 

[Grantbvfd]

I've seen somewhere that the thermacell doesn't work above 4500'. Is this true?

yes

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[shootbrownelk]

Consumer Reports ranked Unscented Cutter Backwoods the highest of all mosquito repellants, tied for 1st with Off Deep Woods Sportsman II which doesn't say anything about scent.

I've tried them all when bear hunting in northern Minnesota, mosquitoes are as big as hummingbirds up there...and clouds of them.
My friends and I all used different repellants , including Cutter's Backwoods, regular OFF, and deep woods OFF. The deep woods off worked the best along with a mesh headnet & mesh gloves. You have to play the wind with them because they ALL have a chemical odor, even the so called "Scent-Free" ones.

 

[Hilltop]

I am a believer in hunting the wind no matter what your scent control methods are. I used to go all out with everything on the market trying to cover my scent and rarely would I have an animal down wind that didn't spook. I studied this a bit and discovered your breath alone is almost 50% of you scent signature to an animal... no spray will make that go away. All I use now is scent killer on my boots so I don't leave as bad of a scent trail. All of that said, I don't think it matters what the scent of your spray is. If an elk/mule deer gets down wind of you, the game is up. Use a good high percentage deet spray and go hunt!

My experience with thermacell is positive in calm conditions. If there is a breeze they don't work near as well... Great for tree stand hunting but not so much for hiking and spot and stalk.

 

[OregonJim]

I am a believer in hunting the wind no matter what your scent control methods are. I used to go all out with everything on the market trying to cover my scent and rarely would I have an animal down wind that didn't spook. I studied this a bit and discovered your breath alone is almost 50% of you scent signature to an animal... no spray will make that go away. All I use now is scent killer on my boots so I don't leave as bad of a scent trail. All of that said, I don't think it matters what the scent of your spray is. If an elk/mule deer gets down wind of you, the game is up. Use a good high percentage deet spray and go hunt!

My experience with thermacell is positive in calm conditions. If there is a breeze they don't work near as well... Great for tree stand hunting but not so much for hiking and spot and stalk.

That's how the mosquitoes find you too.....

 

[2nasty4u]

mosquitoes are really bad around these parts this year. it's been really wet and hot so far this summer and they are thick. they really make early season bow hunting suck

 

[Don K]

Dang mosquitoes are flying vampires

 

[hoshour]

You can try gargling and then brushing your teeth with baking soda before you go hunting to help with breath. Avoid spicy foods or strong foods, especially things like subs, hamburgers, pizza, tacos. Eat something natural like an apple.

And, like Hilltop said, chances are they are going to smell if they are downwind. On the other hand, I have had deer feed for 20-30 minutes directly under my tree stand or within 10 yards and not smell me, even in the evening when the air is descending. That's even in warm weather when I worked up a sweat going up the tree in a climber.

 

[ckink65284]

Sawyer makes a permethrin based product that you can treat your clothes with that is odorless and lasts for several washes.

Be careful with DEET products if you wear synthetic clothing. It can stain or damage your high dollar hunting duds...

I went through this whole process last year after being exsanguinated on a scouting trip. I did the research and settled on the Sawyer product and treated all my clothes. Right after I finished I heard from a well known guide in Wyoming that the mosquitoes would not likely be a problem come September. He was right. Didn't see a single mosquito on our hunt.

This was at 11000 feet in Colorado.

Hope that helps.

 

[Cobbhunts]

I use a thermacell, I was skeptical at first but the dang thing works like a charm!!

This. Best thing I've used. Our bow season opens the first Saturday after Labor day in September. It's usually between 90-100 degrees and humid. Thermacell is the one thing that makes it bearable.

Permethrin works for ticks and mosqs (some), but you can't put it on your skin. Nor can you spray it on your clothes while they are on your body. I also never leave the house without Permethrin on my clothes. We have seed ticks (turkey mites) and if you get into those, you will regret it. Permethrin is the ONLY thing that works with them. Good Luck!!

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[rcfireninja]

I have unscented cutter backwoods on now from softball games and there is definitely a smell to it.