Thermacell go or nogo?

[fowldreams]

Has anyone tried the thermacell product? If so does it throw off any kind of odor or work as well as marketing says it will?

Fowldreams

[cherokee]

I had mine going a week ago working on my camper in my woods. Inside the 15' radius hardly a bug but step outside of it and I was swarmed by mosquitos. It does work and it does give off a little odor. I will be using mine bear hunting if needed. I'm not sure if it will scare a bear away. Doesn't seem to bother whitetails.

[mabr]

Yes it works and yes it puts off odor. I did use it last year during sept for bow hunting but you need to hunt the wind.

[psepuncher]

Has anyone tried the thermacell product? If so does it throw off any kind of odor or work as well as marketing says it will?

Fowldreams

I try to hunt scent free as much as possible.

I used it last year first day of archery for deer. I had a doe and 2 fawns right under me and it didn't spook them at all.

They came through feeding and stayed around me and walked under me for 10 minutes. They didn't spook at all coming in or going out. I was in a 15 foot ladder stand.

I've had more of the same encountrs while using it last year, so it definantly works as it says. But everything I do is pretty strict on scent control. I'll wash my boots good with a scent killer, then I never bring my boots in the house. stuff like that.

It's easy to shut it off if a deer or other target comes in. If the scent were to spook a deer they wouldn't come in, as the smell would drift. I've never had that problem with bucks or does.

My neighbor said he used one and it spooked a big bruiser buck, but he smokes while in his stand. So I can't vouch for others.

But like I said if you wanted to, you could shut it off. I had mine sitting right next to me.

[Random guy]

I have strongly recommend that my bear hunters do not use them. They are great units but have no place when targeting big boars. If I can smell them the bear can smell times fifty.

[fetzeriiif]

I've hunted bear on two separate years. One year I harvested a 250lb boar and the other a 300lb(18 year old) sow. I used a thermacell both times. It smells a little, but it is a warm air, so it travels up.

The way I look at it is like this. It smells less than bug spray and is better than swatting vampires every second. I would stay home before I would get bit every second and I can't shoot a bear or deer from my lazzyboy. Unless I do it on my Wii.

[psepuncher]

so I guess a tip would be,

don't turn it on till you get set up.

Carrying that into your spot while it's turned on

will leave an undesirable scent trail.

[jay83196]

Don't they sell a earth scent or scent free fuel for that?

[hookset]

I used it last year, had many bears come in while in use. I harvested a 470(20 foot from stand to bait) pounder last year with it running sitting by my feet.

I say Hell ya use them.

joe

[mrklean]

i really need to get one, they should make different scents like doe in heat

[Random guy]

Last year I had four hunters that had a hard time with bear going nocturnal or just not showing after weeks of steady activity. Year before I had three hunters that where a challenge. I didn’t put it together until one of the hunters having tough luck blew a drive shaft. I was under his truck getting drilled by bugs when he brought his ThermaCell down and put it by me. I had never been around one in working mode and could not believe the stink it was putting off! I then realized the common factor with the hunters having a tougher time was they where all the guys showing off the new ThermaCell units. One guy has tagged out several bear and now this year he is having a hard time with bear winding him or not coming in? He also had a new ThermaCell.

Either way it is a new smell to any bear. Now some bear just won't care, especially spring Canadian hunters, those guys could wear perfume and get away with it. But big wise boars will have little to do with any new smell or change in the surroundings off a bait. It could be gun oil, cover scents; even accidentally stepping in some form of scat walking in will flare off the big boys. Now you may luck out and the wind may be in your favor, but most big boars will circle a bait before entering. Also most big boar baits are placed where the sun can barely get in let alone the wind and if it does it’s a swirl chamber. Something that makes new smells or smoke has no place on baits I have put extensive efforts into making successful for paying clients. So as my HSOforum says: "4)NO ThermaCELLs® . I don’t care if they advertise as scent free, natural scent or even if they smell like a Hawaiian flower in an ocean breeze I do not want them around the baits or hunters...

Buy a good bug suit, they do not smell, they cover every inch of you in awesome camo patterns and they do not require fuel, pads or constant clicking to get going.

[jay83196]

I agree jonny, any out of ordinary smells or man made smells hurt chances and either only smaller animals come in deer/bear etc or luck of the wind etc allow animals to be seen.

[Random guy]

or luck

The biggest factor of them all.

[jay83196]

Jonny,

What types of food do the big bears like, you mentioned on another topic they don't want the sweets so much. so in general what types scents do you suggest for drawing them in...

thanks Jay

[bearslayer]

I bought one last year and they work great for keeping bugs away. When I would use it for bear hunting, I would spray whatever scent (anise,etc) on the pads before I would use them in the thermacell. It would cover the scent from normal use and also consistently put out the attracting scent. Didn't have any bears in during shooting hours, but they were nocturnal all year for me, no matter what we tried. Good luck everyone.

[fowldreams]

Jonny,

Thanks for all the input. What brand of bug suits are you using?

Fowldreams

[Random guy]

I use the Shannon Bug Tamer Plus. It moves well, does not get hot and the double mesh design works great. My current suit is used every day trapping Creek Chubs and Redtails in the river bottoms and I have yet to tear it or have any problem at all.

[psepuncher]

I use the Shannon Bug Tamer Plus. It moves well, does not get hot and the double mesh design works great. My current suit is used every day trapping Creek Chubs and Redtails in the river bottoms and I have yet to tear it or have any problem at all.

+2 on that shannon suit.

My son has the leafy one, and it moves great while bowhunting.

My suit is a redhead cheapo that has torn easily.

[Shack]

i really need to get one, they should make different scents like doe in heat

Is this thread about ThermaCELL Mosquito repellent or Thermascent Game attractant?

They make pads/wafers and a special Thermacell for attracting game called Thermascent. It has a higher riser for the game attractant pads.

Does it work? I have no clue, but I agree with JP & what I have picked up on with bears. His clients & him get the bears every year.

[lakeshoremunster]

Off has this new product out this year, a clip on repllent, Just wondering what your thoughts on this was guys. Im thinking about getting one and trying it out in the backyard to see how well it works.

If you have tried it already let me know what your toughts on this product is.

[psepuncher]

I can tell you the worst one for hunting that I've used.

An earth scent spray from repel.

[Boar]

Nope nope nope, wont use them. I agree with all of the abouve, get a good bug suit. One thing I do tho is when baiting I spray down at the site everytime with the same repellant I use to hunt with, the bear associated the smell with goodies an dont seem to have a problem with an I have shot bear over 300 lbs this way. But still a good bug suit is a must an head net, rubber gloves are good too. Later baor

[BLACKJACK]

Off has this new product out this year, a clip on repllent, Just wondering what your thoughts on this was guys. Im thinking about getting one and trying it out in the backyard to see how well it works.

If you have tried it already let me know what your toughts on this product is.

My wife bought one of the Off repellents and it doesn't work as well as my Thermacell. I use mine when camping, not hunting, I don't feel like wearing a bug suit when I'm sitting around the campground . One downside of the Thermacells is that they work best when its calm, if you get too much breeze it blows the scent away.