We had a day in the field during an outdoor writers’ conference I went to a while ago, and a whole bunch of gear manufacturers were there showing off their wares. One of the tables had a display of ScentLok’s newest line, the ScenTote.
I’ve seen all sorts of scent-blocking gear. You can get everything from hats and coveralls all the way down to your skivvies in charcoal-activated fabric that keeps your human odor from leaking out onto the breeze. But as far as I know, until now, nobody made scent-blocking storage totes.
At first glance, I thought, what a racket. What’ll they think of next? A bubble that goes around your ATV or pickup? But the more I thought about it, and the more the guy behind the table talked, the more sense it made.
I usually try to read the wind when I’m hunting, and I try to keep downwind of my quarry. But then again, I don’t come home with big game animals very often. The guys I know who use scent-blocking gear AND read the wind almost always get their critters. That may be all in their skill, or it could have something to do with their apparel. But they also spend an amazing amount of time cleaning their stuff before and after each hunt. They wash it in special detergents, put it in Zip-Loc bags, and try not to mess with it more than is absolutely necessary.
Now there’s the ScenTote. The idea is that your gear goes in this sealed bin with a charcoal filter, and the charcoal absorbs all the odors. And the box keeps all the other smells out. You can get it in the hard box, a bow case, a boot tote, a field bag, and even a soft duffel bag.
It’s not a bad idea, especially when you consider it’s a good way to keep all your hunting gear in one convenient place. And maybe it’ll also help you put some meat in the freezer this fall. At this point, I’ll try anything I can.
