approach/practice scent control you ask? It is our personal belief that every hunter needs to
EXTREMELY practice MAXIMUM scent control in order to succeed. It is also our belief that controlling
scent is not so much for the specific deer they are going to/trying to harvest. But more so for the deer
you are going to let pass. Now that may sound like a stupid statement from a guide, but the plan is to
get an arrow or slug into that chosen specific animal BEFORE it gets down wind of you correct?
Therefore, because every hunter will always have a down wind side. Then let us say again that
scent control isn't for the animal you are going to harvest...but for the animals that you are going to
allow to pass by and onto your down wind side where it can & will cause your hunt problems in the
event that they catch your scent. And we all now that nothing sends doubtful thoughts into a hunters
head when a doe or a small buck (that you have no desire to shoot) passes you by, catches your wind and then
seemingly lets the whole dam woods know something is up. So because chances are allot higher of
that happening. Always hit the woods with the intent to protect your down wind side from the passer
ups & the passer bys. Because You as a hunter are always in control of where your leftover scent
goes "By Where You Place Your Stand".  
Step 1. Is choosing the right products for your body chemistry. For those asking or wondering how I
personally approach scent control? First know that I do believe ones body chemistry is
different that others. So what brand works for one...may not for another. Just try what you may,
and then switch brands if you still have issues. For me I personally feel the Robinson labs Scent
Shield products work the absolute best for me and "I Stick With What I KNOW is Working".
Step 2. Start preparing your body at the right time. For us, we personally believe it is best to shower
just seconds before leaving for the stand.
Step 3. Once we get to the farm/woods, we dress in our hunting clothes in the field.
Step 4. We spray down all items (gear and clothing) with field spray.
Step 5. We rub a scent away body lotion (I have used a scent free hair conditioner before) on ANY
and ALL skin and/or hair that I know will and/or can be potentially exposed while in the stand. NOTE:
Take Some Chapstick with you due to if you accidentally get any scent away products on your mouth.. lol... IT WILL dry your lips
out extremely bad.
Step 6. ALWAYS wear scent lok Under Layer and Scent Lok Outer garments. As well and in spite of
high temps.... always wear scent lok gloves, a scent lok head cover and a scent lock hat. I just
personally feel the more layers the more the scent is controlled. Too much scent control will never be
an issue i promise ya.
Step 7. How to prepare & keep clothing n boots scent free. Obviously you need to use a scent free
laundry soap. But when I place my clothes into the washer, I also use a healthy amount of baking soda
in the wash. That is just one of my quirks, lol. But i believe it helps.
After washing our clothes. We always dry our clothes while using scent free dryer sheets. But one
added step we do is Once the clothes are dried....we take them out of drier while hot. We then spray
the clothes down heavily with a scent away field spray and then back into the dryer they go. We feel
that drying a coating of the field spray onto the clothing helps add just a little more protection. Once
we dry some field spray onto the clothing. It then the goes directly from the dryer into a "SEALED"
bag.
Step 8. Treat your boots like you do your clothing. Prior to the start of the season, our hunting
boots are "SCRUBBED" with scent away soap, SPRAYED Inside & Out with scent away field spray. We
give em a chance to dry and then  they are immediately stored into a "SEALED" bag as well. And
exactly like our hunting clothes. We do not take out and/or put our boots on until we reach the woods.
What kind of results to i get from all that work? Well maybe I'm just one of the lucky ones. But I have
not been snorted in YEARS! and when deer of all ages and sex pass by me, I have not had any
problems with those deer detecting my presence. So I stick with my program and what i know what
has been working for me.
Next..., know that we are not sponsored by nor are we promoting products from any specific
companies. Again, all requests and/or product suggestions are simply made from our own personal
experiences while hunting. All of what we share or suggest are with the best of intentions for helping
you to succeed while hunting here with us both here in Illinois and back home. Nothing is guaranteed
in hunting, but we do try our best to help everyone get fully prepared for the best hunting experience
possible. As a guide and as hunters ourselves we do understand what it takes to be successful.
Therefore just simply ask that hunters take us seriously and please take your hunt seriously when it
comes to beating a whitetails nose. Because proper scent control practices can and will make or
break your hunt. So please go over your Scent Control Check List to be sure that it contains the
following:
Scent lock/Blocker upper garment
Scent lock/Blocker lower garment
Scent lock/Blocker upper base layer/under garment
Scent lock/Blocker lower base layer/undergarment
Scent lock/Blocker Hat and/or full head cover
Rubber boots
2 Scent Free Storage bags. 1 for clothing and 1 for boots.
Regular Scent away Laundry Soap (do not use earth blends)
Regular Scent away dryer sheet (do not use earth blends)
Regular Scent away body soap (do not use earth blends)
Regular Scent away underarm deodorant (do not use earth blends)
Regular Scent away field spray (do not use earth blends)
Regular Scent away field wipes (do not use earth blends)
Regular Scent away Hair Conditioner/Gel (for field use to rub into beards, mustaches and
exposed skin or hair) (do not use earth blends)
Scent free washed Sheet/Seat cover for your vehicle
Field Mat for changing in the field.

      "WHILE HUNTING AT BACKWOODS WHITETAILS OUTFITTERS"
1.) IT IS REQUESTED THAT ALL HUNTERS USE SOME SORT OF SCENT
ABSORBING / BLOCKING CLOTHING WITH HEAD COVER THROUGHOUT THE
ENTIRE COURSE OF THEIR HUNT. For those first timers not wanting to spend a fortune on
scent gear. PLEASE make some sort of attempt by at least purchasing a set of "base layer upper and
lower garments along with some sort of head cover/gear". You can usually find base layer garments
from $20 - $30 each for top n bottoms. But again, For complete scent control efforts. Both under &
outer and both upper & lower garments as well as a head cover with gloves should be worn. The head
cover can be either a hat, a head bandana or full head & neck hood.

2.) It is requested that all hunters are to wear either rubber boots or a boot with a clean rubber sole.

3.) It is requested that all hunters use Scent Eliminations products to help eliminate & control any and
all additional human odors as the use of Scent Away Field Spray, Scent eliminating Laundry
detergents and Scent Eliminting Shampoo & Body wash will be necessary to help aid in the success of
your hunt.

"WHAT ABOUT PRODUCTS CONTAINING EARTH and/or FALL BLEND"
PLEASE NOTE: THE USE ANY OF ANY PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN FALL BLEND and/or
FRESH EARTH SCENT ITEMS ARE NOT PERMITTED FOR USE IN THE CAMP WASHER &
DRYERS!!!
            WHY YOU ASK??? "Think About it"
A.) IF IT IS A "SCENT ELIMINATION PRODUCT" THEN WHY DOES IT NEED A COVER
SCENT ADDED TO WORK EFFECTIVELY?
B.) But hey... For those that JUST HAVE TO SMELL LIKE DIRT? Then I suggest that after washing
your hunting clothes "IN SCENT ELIMINATING LIQUIDS" lmao. You then go out to your actual hunt
site and roll around in the actual dirt in the area you will be hunting. And roll in it all ya want. Cuz, if it
were me I would rather be using the actual dirt provided by mother nature rather than a synthesized
blend of chemicals created to smell you into believing that deer wont be able to tell what is real...and
what is not. I will tell all hunters this...if you are using those kinds of products? Trust me when I say
that we will not have any sympathy for a poor outcome.

4.) At all times hunters need to store their hunting clothes in a scent controlled containers. As well it
is highly recommended that your hunting boots be sealed in a scent free plastic bag also! NEVER
EVER EXPOSE / WEAR YOUR HUNTING CLOTHES, BOOTS AND/OR HUNTING
GEAR IN and/or AROUND THE LODGE OR WHILE NOT HUNTING!!

5.) Hunters that will respectfully take the success of their hunt to the highest level should bring some
sort of ground cloth or ground mat for changing into your hunting clothes in the field.
6.) Hunters should also consider bring a blanket or sheet washed in Scent elimination detergent for
placement over the seat in your vehicle. This sheet is to prevent your everyday body sweats and skin
cells from coming into contact with your hunting clothing. Remember that you use this vehicle to drive
to and from work/town daily. So do not let the entire year of travel sweats n smells go to the woods
with you. Each day try to spray down your seat covers, arm rests, head rests and your door n pedals
to help prevent any contaminations as well. Keep in mind that the placement of air fresheners in your
vehicle are for freshening your car not your clothes or your person. Again, spray down all gas n brake
pedals, seat covers and steering wheel prior to your travels to the stand. It will be the last thing you
and your gear will come in contact with prior to climbing into the tree stand!
Remember that a deer always take its survival very seriously. So by not simply taking your hunt
seriously by just taking five minutes to go that extra mile. By not taking the extra care to control your
scent. It could cost you that one opportunity for which you just drove several hours to try to achieve.  
Remember This..."It took you longer than five minutes to get to Illinois"
So Take a few extra minutes and "Don't Waste The Trip"!!
                                                                         
We know there will always be a difference of opinions on what is good & bad and
what is necessary or unnecessary when it comes to hunting whitetails. So because
we support the right and freedom for everyone to have/use their own opinions &
practices while hunting whitetails. Whether it be Right or wrong, Sometimes a hunter
sticking with what he/she is most confident with. At least shows me that hunter has
introduced some sort of self discipline into his/her own hunts. But please remember
& understand that hiring a guide means sometimes getting
advice/opinions/suggestions that one may not always agree with or even want to
hear. Just know that we offer our advice & suggestions based on our own personal
good & bad experiences both as a guide and as an experienced whitetail hunter.
Remember that we are here to HELP your hunt...not intentionally hurt it.
Backwoods Whitetails
P.O. Box 372
240 West Main St.
Ipava, IL 61441
Phone: 309-224-2853
info@backwoodswhitetails.com

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