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Gadgets/products that work/don't work
#5357882
10/13/14 08:56 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,213
tShawnB
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,213 |
Here is my list of hunting products or gadgets based on my experience that have either worked or been a total waste of money. What are yours? No obvious tools like guns, binos, bows, ammo, etc... just gadgets or products advertised as essential in harvesting that buck of a lifetime.
WORK (No particular order) 1)Grunt tube 2)Rattle bag or Pack Rack 3)Range finders
DON'T WORK (No particular order) 1)Scent elimination of any type 2)Doe urine, buck urine, etc... 3)Estrous calls ("The Can") BTW, I still use this, but have not had any discernible response to it after many years of usage.
The "WORKS" list to me is a tough one to come up with, but I could go on and on with the "DON'T WORK" list and wish I had all that money back I had spent on those products.
How come everybody I meet is a deer hunting expert?
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Re: Gadgets/products that work/don't work
[Re: tShawnB]
#5357945
10/13/14 09:26 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Things that have worked for me are the moon phases, peak hunting period charts, range finder, grunt tube, doe urine, and can call. The grunt tube I have used alone to call in bucks or in combination with rattling and/or the can call and/or doe in heat urine. I used doe urine in combination with a grunt call and while ratting to stop a buck from getting my wind. If set out a scent canister at a 45 deg angle from me about 20-25 yards in both directions downwind it will stop a buck most of the time. It will give me a chance to look at him hopefully if he is in view. With any of it timing is the most critical when trying to call in a buck(s). I have not used a rattle bag or pack rack since I always have used real rattling antlers. I never had any luck with scent elimination products.
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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Re: Gadgets/products that work/don't work
[Re: tShawnB]
#5357982
10/13/14 09:45 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,006
Texas buckeye
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,006 |
I used some earth scent wafers this weekend, they smell just like fresh topsoil or wet mulch...I can't say for certain they work due to being used for just one weekend, but I did have a buck circle around for some time and he didn't get spooky at all. I was sitting in a 10 ft tripod with my son as the light silhouetted us Sunday am. He hung around long enough my son could have taken a shot.
I have had no luck with attractants. My son always wants me to buy them, but never any luck. We did put out some strawberry jello mix with some corn in an area beside the feeder, and the deer sucked that down pretty quickly (after shooting time of course) so I may try that in the future again, and at 68 cents a box it isn't going to break the bank.
My son pointed out the solar time tables were pretty close to being correct this weekend for the doe at least. Will probably pay more attention to those for now hunting and during the rut to watch the doe movement. Can't say for sure if the bucks followed it as well...
Last edited by Texas buckeye; 10/13/14 09:47 PM.
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Re: Gadgets/products that work/don't work
[Re: tShawnB]
#5357996
10/13/14 09:49 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,257
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,257 |
I'm 100% sure I'm not alone in saying that at the top of my works list is the Thermacell.
"Some people will never like you because your spirit irritates their demons."
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Re: Gadgets/products that work/don't work
[Re: tShawnB]
#5358048
10/13/14 10:07 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,006
Texas buckeye
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 11,006 |
^^^ yep you are right. I was hoping to use it this weekend while in the stand to see if the earth scent wafers made any difference, but the skeeters were not out in any force, Friday too much of a breeze and then too cool for any significant skeeters sat and Sunday. Not that I minded not using it. Will always have it just in case!
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Re: Gadgets/products that work/don't work
[Re: tShawnB]
#5358067
10/13/14 10:11 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,273
Ramsey
Pepe' Le Pew
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Pepe' Le Pew
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,273 |
Game calls for turkey or yotes. Thermacell,
Big Beckett!!
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Re: Gadgets/products that work/don't work
[Re: tShawnB]
#5358083
10/13/14 10:15 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,492
splash556
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,492 |
Gadgets that work - Trail cams
Gadgets that don't work - Trail cams
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Re: Gadgets/products that work/don't work
[Re: tShawnB]
#5358096
10/13/14 10:20 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,073
RedSnake
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,073 |
I know a good iphone app (heehee)!
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Re: Gadgets/products that work/don't work
[Re: splash556]
#5358279
10/13/14 11:36 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,652
Novemberyet
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,652 |
Gadgets that work - Trail cams
Gadgets that don't work - Trail cams Never more true (at some point or another)
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Re: Gadgets/products that work/don't work
[Re: tShawnB]
#5358325
10/13/14 11:55 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 608
PSE-Madman
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 608 |
Won't hunt without:
1. a good turkey call(s) 2. Game cameras 3. Grunt tube
Worthless:
1. The doe bleat can thing from primos 2. Any of those snort wheeze gimmicks 3. The hunt app that you upload your game can pics to
Phillsguideservice.com
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Re: Gadgets/products that work/don't work
[Re: tShawnB]
#5358639
10/14/14 02:08 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,297
JDShellnut
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,297 |
Ozone generators work to some level. Don't think it is 100% effective but I've seen enough to believe in it. I still try to hunt the wind properly anyway.
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Re: Gadgets/products that work/don't work
[Re: Texas Dan]
#5359273
10/14/14 02:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,213
tShawnB
OP
Pro Tracker
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,213 |
I'm 100% sure I'm not alone in saying that at the top of my works list is the Thermacell. Yeah, I didn't believe in these till I tried them. They indeed work as advertised.
How come everybody I meet is a deer hunting expert?
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Re: Gadgets/products that work/don't work
[Re: tShawnB]
#5359870
10/14/14 06:23 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,397
Buck_N_Hook
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,397 |
Work: Grunt Tube Rattle Bag/horns Can Call (actually kill many deer with) Doe Urine (sometimes)
Don't work: toasty toes game finders (electric thingys that detect heat) rice bran attractant/feed
"People have more fun than anybody I know!!!"
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Re: Gadgets/products that work/don't work
[Re: tShawnB]
#5360182
10/14/14 09:24 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,236
Pope&Young
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,236 |
Work: Grunt tube – Premos Buck Roar w/snort wheeze Rattle horns – Real antlers Can call – Premos “The Can” Quality game cameras Deer feeders Range finder
Don't work: Anything Wild Game Most deer scent attractants
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