How to Use Doe Estrus Scent Properly

During the rut, the period of heightened sexual activity, the scent of a doe in heat is a potent attractant for bucks, making it a valuable tool for hunters looking to increase their chances of success.

But using Doe Estrus scent effectively requires more than pouring out a scent or setting up bait. Luring or setting up bait has been a key way to attract animals toward a successful hunt for centuries. From early humans using animal carcasses to attract predators to modern-day hunters using artificial scents and bait, the goal remains the same: to bring the animals to you.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about effectively using doe estrus scent and bait to increase your chances of success.

When to Start Using Doe Estrus?

The doe estrus scent in deer hunting is a subject of much debate among hunters. Traditionally, hunters have used it at the peak of the rut when deer are most actively mating. However, recent studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that using doe estrus scent earlier in the season can be more effective.

Research has shown that mature bucks start actively seeking out the first does to go into heat a few weeks before the peak of the rut. Using doe estrous scent during this period makes you more likely to attract a mature buck still looking for a mate.

This means that depending on your location, the first week of November or even the last week of October could be the optimal time to use doe estrus.

Another benefit of using doe estrus earlier in the season is that you are less likely to compete with other does. During the peak of the rut, there are likely to be many does in estrus, which means that your doe estrus scent may not be as effective.

Using it earlier in the season increases the chances of attracting a buck before it has found a mate.

It is worth noting that the effectiveness of doe estrus scent can vary depending on factors such as weather conditions and deer population density. In areas with a high deer population density, deer may be more cautious and less likely to be attracted to the scent.

Similarly, if the weather is warm, deer may not be as active or responsive to scent.

How to Use Doe Estrus?

Using doe estrus can be a game-changer for hunters seeking to attract big bucks during the rut. However, it’s important to use it correctly to increase your chances of success.

Start by selecting a high-quality doe estrus scent.
Determine the best method for applying the scent based on your hunting location and strategy. Some common methods are discussed in the later part of this article.
Apply the scent sparingly to avoid overdoing it. You want to create a realistic scent trail but keep the area manageable with enough scent. More can make bucks suspicious and actually repel them instead of attracting them.
Be mindful of wind direction and speed.
Reapply the scent periodically throughout your hunting session to keep the scent fresh and attractive to passing deer.

Where to Apply Doe Estrus?

These are the most commonly used techniques to apply Doe Estrus.

Around your hunting stand: One of the most common places to apply doe estrus is around your hunting stand. You can place scent wicks or spray the scent around the area to create a realistic scent trail.
On a scent drag: A scent drag is a piece of cloth or rope that you can drag along the ground to create a scent trail. Apply doe estrus to the drag and drag it along the path to your hunting stand.
On mock scrapes: Mock scrapes are areas of ground where you can create a scent post to attract bucks. You can apply doe estrus to the scrape or to a nearby licking branch to make the area more attractive to bucks.

When using doe estrus, it’s important to keep in mind that the scent can be affected by wind direction and speed, so make sure to apply it in areas where it will be carried toward potential bucks and not directed toward you.

My Recommendation – Code Blue Whitetail Doe Estrous

If you’re looking for a highly effective and realistic doe estrus scent, Code Blue OA1001 is definitely a product worth considering. This scent is harvested from a single deer on Code Blue’s farm, and each bottle even has a unique serial number corresponding to the specific doe it came from.

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This attention to detail is what sets Code Blue apart from other doe estrus scents on the market. By using a scent harvested from a single deer, Code Blue ensures that the scent is as realistic as possible, making it highly attractive to bucks during the rutting season.

One of the other great features of Code Blue’s doe estrus scent is that it comes in a gel form. This makes it very easy to apply exactly where you want it to go, whether you’re using a scent drag or a scent wick.

The gel formula also helps to ensure that the scent lasts for a long time, which is important when you’re trying to attract bucks from a distance.

FAQs

Yes, doe estrus can be an effective tool for attracting bucks during the rutting season. By mimicking the scent of a doe in heat, it can help to trigger a buck’s natural instincts and bring them closer to your hunting location.

Deer can detect the scent of doe estrous from up to a mile away, but the scent may be strongest within a few hundred yards of the source. Generally, if the wind is blowing in the right direction, deer can detect the scent from as far away as a quarter of a mile.

Using doe in estrus too early in the season may not be effective because it may not correspond with the actual breeding season of the deer. Bucks may not be actively seeking does at this time, and using doe in estrus scent may not attract them.