Can Chew Attract Deer?

Deer is a favored sport animal of the avid hunter, but they can be a crafty prey. Hunters are always on the lookout for new ways to gain the advantage, which may include baiting the animals. Chewing tobacco has long been thought to be a scent that attracts deer, but there are other scents that that can attract or repel deer as well as a few things to keep in mind during your hunt.

  1. Chewing Tobacco

    • Although many hunters believe that chewing tobacco attracts deer, this is not true. Tobacco in general should be avoided prior to and during deer hunting. Tobacco is a very distinctive scent to deer and will cause them to flee if they catch smell of it. Even the lingering scent on your clothes can be enough. Chewing tobacco was thought to draw deer in due to its sweet scent from being flavored by molasses. The tobacco scent, however, is stronger than the molasses and will cause deer to flee. If you are intent on bagging a deer on your hunting trip, tobacco should be avoided.

    Become Scent Free

    • Rather than trying to figure out what you should smell like, ideally you will have as minimal a scent as possible. Deer have incredibly sensitive senses of smell and are easily spooked by unknown scents. Before going hunting, you will want to wash your body with scentless soap prior to a trip as well as your clothes. Keep spare clothing in plastic bags to keep them from getting contaminated.

    Know Baiting Laws

    • The act of luring a deer into the open with a scent is called baiting, and in many states it is illegal. Some states limit baiting only to food due to the damage feeding wild animals can do, but other states ban all forms of baiting. If you plan to use bait or other tools to aid in your hunt, check with your state's laws to ensure you are not in violation of them.

    Bathroom Breaks

    • If you find that you need to relieve yourself during your hunt, do it a good distance from your hunting area and ensure that it is done downwind. Human waste is a strong repellent to deer and will drive away any in the vicinity. Also try not to get any on your clothes.