Mosquitoes...Repellents while hunting

[Rob P]

I try to use a head net whenever I can but sometimes it blocks my periperal vision and disturbs my hearing. I know there are products that say "sportsmans" or "unscented" but I've always been leery of them because of the potential odors when hunting. When I have used product, rather than have a spray flying through the air, I use the lotion and rub it on my ears and underneath the visor of my hat, and maybe on the top of my hands. Not sure if I'm doing myself a disservice but applying it or not. But nothing like trying to sit still and have a mosquitoe buzz right in your ear.

So what do you all use to repel mosquitoes when hunting?

[JNDEER]

i use the thermacell if i am mostly stationary....if i am moving i just use regular spray...i try to stay downwind as much as possible, but i figure if i have a crap load of spray on me, if anything it will not make me smell "human," and would be a "different" smell to an animal which may not be one they associate with danger

[easymoney]

imho, the only thing that really works is DEET. My wife and I cut short a backpacking trip last week because she is allergic to DEET and the other stuff just doesn't keep them away. The fishing was great but she gotten eaten alive.
If hunting try crushing sage or another strong natural plant and rubbing it on all exposed areas you sprayed. Most all (except 100% DEET) have some "pleasent smell" added, especially the enviro ones.
I am also buying a head net for my wife...

[Speckmisser]

Thermacell is the ticket for anything except extensive hiking. It seems like a gimmick, but it really works like nothing I've ever seen before!

I'm sensitive to a lot of chemicals, including DEET. I can use it, but it makes me a little bit ill. The longer I use it, the worse it gets, but it does work. The trick is to make sure you don't miss any spots... because the bugs will definitely find the places you missed.

[fishnhuntfreak]

i wear long sleeve shirts when hiking but the bugs don't seem bother me much while im moving anyways. mosquitoes coils for me while im in my camp under my tarp shelter, always works good for me.

[bodega]

I use Jungle Juice which is 100% DEET and cheap. Get it at REI. Yes, it stinks, and I stink too, so I try to use the wind as best as I can. To minimize the smell, I crush local plants like Bay or sagebrush and keep my hunting clothes in a ziplock with the plants.

Some people like Speck swear by their Thermacells, and I just might give one a try this fall.

[BelchFire]

Thermocell.

[betelgeuse]

I use 3M Ultrathon. It stinks and contains DEET but doesn't seem to be as bad as the 100% deet stuff. It is in a lotion form and disperses over time. It's what the military uses.

I also use permethrin on my clothes to keep the ticks off. It dries with no smell and is good for 6 weeks. I think it also helps with the skeeters some.

I am itching ( bad pun ) to try the thermacell

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Thermocell is the way to go. Turkey hunting I've sat down and there's a cloud of mosquitoes around me. Fire up the thermocell and 2 min later they're gone. My parents were skeptical when I told them to get the lantern for the back porch. They bought one and after the first evening they're believers.

If I'm moving around quite a bit I use the Robinson's No Stinkin' Bugs Fall blend Earth Scent repellant. It's 25% DEET and a few other things.

[Family Tradition]

I used jungle juice for the first time this weekend after seeing it posted here and it worked pretty well.........

and it was cheap at REI

Good tip

M

[hank4elk]

The last few years I've been using "No Stinking Bugs" fall scent,smells like dirt,works great. DEETS is way to go IMHO and I always wear long sleeves.The bugs are bad this year here in D7,means there is more wet meadows than last couple years.It was dry this time last year.

[el_vaquero]

Sawyer Duranon Permethrin Insect Repellent : Cabela's

Duranon. My uncle swears by it...I've only used it once and it seemed to work well.

[betelgeuse]

I use the Sawyer stuff as well. It is only for your clothes not for your skin. The best deal I have found is the pump spray at REI.

It lasts for 6 weeks even if you wash your clothes. Dries with no smell

[dlvmark]

Try a cheap brand of Vit E. The expensive stuff does not work as well. It seem that the bugs just dont like the smell. Humans cant smell the stuff. You will find that the camper that has used a cheap vit E for a month or more before the trip will not get as stung as much, im told.

[el_vaquero]

Originally Posted by betelgeuse

I use the Sawyer stuff as well. It is only for your clothes not for your skin. The best deal I have found is the pump spray at REI.

It lasts for 6 weeks even if you wash your clothes. Dries with no smell

I'll have to check that out on my next trip to REI....

[betelgeuse]

ev... they have a 24 oz for $ 15.50

[m57jager]

the vitamin e thing is true. when you go to south america they recommend you start vitamin e amonth early

[trautertpighunter]

I learned about using Vitamin E while stationed in Panama in the early '80s. It worked, and the skeeters down there could take two hits from a .45. :)

Just saw a special on Thermocell at Bass Pro in the Sunday paper. Might need to go check it out.

Tom

[trapperbr549]

Repel makes a permanone repellent like the Sawyer but in an aerosol can. It is a lot easier for me to find around here and I can't tell any difference in the effectiveness, both work great even for ticks. If I am only battling the skeeters I use the thermacell. I'll attach a picture of the Repel.

[arizona hunter]

If possible pack a "Thermacell". If I didn't have one I'd still put on repellant in spite of the odor and just make extra sure of wind direction when stalking. Better than getting dozens of bites which could really spoil a hunt.