Best Deer Scents in 2022 – Buyer’s Guide [Attractants & Cover for Post Rut, Peak Rut and Pre Rut]

When you are planning to hunt deer it is wise to consider how deer use their smell, the most powerful of a deer’s senses. The hearing range of a deer is about the same as ours but their nose is much stronger than ours. How strong is a deer’s nose exactly? I’ll compare it to a human’s nose. Our noses have five million olfactory receptors while deer have an astounding two hundred seventy-nine million. That’s why their sense of smell is so good and that’s why hunters want to use the best deer scents they can get their hands on to improve their hunting season.

There are many deer scents on the market, natural deer scents, and synthetic deer scents. You have different types and different ways to utilize them. For this buyer’s guide, we tested various scents and we applied various methods during post-rut, peak rut, and pre-rut to test them thoroughly. We came to a list of eight deer scents that we consider to be the best deer scents on the market that you can currently get!

In a Hurry? Here are our Top Picks!

Best Overall: Conquest Scents Vs-1

Best Tarsal Gland Scent: Code Blue Actual Tarsal Gland

Best Estrus Scent: Tinks Doe-in-Rut #69

Best All-Season Scent: Buck Fever Gamechanger

Best Synthetic Doe in Rut Scent: Tink’s Smokin’ Sticks Synthetic #69 Doe-In-Rut

Best Synthetic Deer Estrus Scent – Wildlife Research Synthetic Estrus Gold

Best Synthetic Deer Tarsal Gland Scent: Hunters Specialties Synthetic Forehead Gland

Best Cover Scent: TINK’S Earth Power

Best Natural Deer Scents

Conquest Scents Vs-1 – Editor’s Choice

The VS-1 from Conquest Scents is a high quality hundred percent estrus urine and vaginal secretions scent stick that is collected from superior breeding does. I personally always use this lure because of its outstanding quality and effectiveness. How effective is it you ask? The VS-1 does have been synchronized/cycled into peak estrus in order to produce the highest possible concentration of pheromones, it is that good. It is one of the best deer scent lures that is personally my first choice.

The wax stick formula ensures no spills, leaks, or mess and the mixture won’t freeze. This is a deer scent that I can recommend to beginners and veterans because it is very easy to use and highly effective. The Vs-1 can be used during pre-rut, rut, or post-rut on scent pads and licking branches in high traffic areas.

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Tink’s #69 Doe-In-Rut Buck Lure – Best Estrous Doe Deer Scent

I have been using Tink’s #69 Doe-in-Rut for about 8 years. This formula is one hundred percent natural doe estrous urine that is collected from live whitetail does during their estrous cycle. Tink’s high-quality controlled formula keeps this lure at the peak level of performance. It is one of the best deer scents on the market that produces great results during the pre-rut and rut.

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Code Blue Actual Tarsal Gland – Best Tarsal Gland Scent

If you want a hardcore real deal deer lure then Code Blue’s Tarsal Gland is a great pick. Every deer has a unique rutting odor, typically deposited in scrapes when the buck rub-urinates during the peak rut. Code Blue has captured that unique rutting odor in every bottle of Code Blue Tarsal Gland. The bottle contains a real tarsal gland submerged in pure buck urine. This scent leaves a really potent scent trail that signals to mature bucks that another dominant buck is in the area.

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Best Synthetic Deer Scents

Wildlife Research Synthetic Estrus Gold – Best pre-rut deer scent

Estrus Gold from Wildlife Research is a great synthetic doe estrous scent. The scent is engineered to smell like fresh high-quality doe estrous urine. It is supercharged with Scent Reflex technology for stronger more consistent responses. It is one of the best synthetic scents that we used. I have used Tink’s all my life. I have had a buck chasing a doe and run past the scent bottle only to stop chasing the doe and do a 180 and come back to the scent bottle. If conditions are right and he is downwind of scent he will come in to check it out, not sneaking in either. One of the best deer scents on whitetail!

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Buck Fever Synthetics Game Changer – Best Bang for Your Buck

Buck Fever Game Changer is a complete package at a special price that includes everything you need to change the game against that mature whitetail. It’s got a scent for all phases of the rut. This 3-piece combo includes 8 oz. Vanishing Hunter, 4 oz. Pre/Post Rut, 4 oz. Forehead Gland.

You can apply pre/post-rut synthetic to the dirt at any primary or mock scrapes for a long-lasting lure that keeps bucks coming back to scent mark their dominance. Spray Forehead Gland synthetic to overhanging branches. The overhanging branch is key at any scrape or mock scrape. From this gland, deer deposit scent secretions that communicate age, social ranking, dominance, and breeding status.

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Hunters Specialties Synthetic Forehead Gland Scent – Best synthetic Forehead Gland Scent

Dominant bucks don’t like other bucks coming into their area. Big bruisers will come in to defend their territory when they get a whiff of Synthetic Forehead Gland Scent from Buck Bomb!

Forehead Gland imitates the scent that comes from the forehead of a whitetail buck when he makes a rub. Perfect for use over mock scrapes or existing scrapes to make local bucks think there’s an intruder in the area. This synthetic formula can be used in areas where natural urines are not allowed, including Canada.

The easy-to-use dropper bottle contains a liquid scent that is perfect for use with the Buck Bomb Detonator retractable scent wick (sold separately) or the included spike wicks. This is a great attractant for mock scrape.

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TINK’S Earth Power Cover Scent – Best Versatile

TINK’S Earth Power Cover is a great versatile cover scent that I always take with me on a hunting trip because of its versatility. It is a great cover scent that also works great as a deer lure. Just put a few sprays on your hunting clothing and tree stand or blind. This powerful cover scent conceals your tracks and scent signature. It works in any hunting area that you’re allowed to hunt.

The pump spray bottle is very easy-to-use and gives good control over the spray. This is a versatile cover scent because it can also be used as a deer lure; deer are attracted to fresh dirt. Tink’s Cover Scents are formulated for stronger and longer-staying power.

Tip: When you are hunting, use boot pads and drag rags to help cover your tracks. Spray a little on your hunting clothing as well.

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Tink’s Smokin’ Sticks Synthetic #69 Doe-In-Rut – Best Deer Scent Sticks

Simply light, and allow the smoke to travel downwind for long-range attraction. The scent-infused smoke adheres to everything it comes in contact with, leaving a scent trail right to your stand. These smokin’ sticks last for approximately 2 hours. The doe estrous urine scent sticks to everything it comes into contact with to spread the scent with no mess and no freeze. Simply light, and allow the smoke to travel downwind for long-range attraction.

The scent-infused smoke adheres to everything it comes in contact with, leaving a scent trail right to your stand. Worked great to bring in bucks from all around us. The smoke drifted far and brought the deer in close. This no-mess scent lure solution is perfect for cold climates! Tink’s Smokin’ Sticks Synthetic #69 Doe-In-Rut is formulated to smell like fresh doe urine at the peak of their breeding cycle.

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Deer Scent Accessories

Scent Bombs – Tink’s Scent Bombs

The Tink’s Scent Bomb is easy to use, extremely effective and a great no-mess means of getting the most from your scent lures. Each blaze orange-colored Scent Bomb has a lid with a retaining strap so it’ll never get lost and a reflective strip for locating it in the dark. Inside the Scent Bomb is a super-absorbent wick that when deployed, puts out scent on wind currents, to be detected by downwind bucks. You can also use them as yardage markers and as a trail marker.

To use, unscrew the cap and fill with your favorite Tink’s lure (holds 1-ounce). Reattach the cap until you reach a hanging location. When you’re ready to deploy, remove the cap, pull the wick up by the hanger (do not remove wick and hanger from Scent Bomb), and hang. When the hunt is over simply push the wick and hanger back inside the Scent Bomb and close the resealable lid.

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Dripper Scent Dispenser – Wildlife 381 Magnum Scrape-Dripper Scent Dispenser

This advanced scent dripper normally shuts down during rain and bad weather, saving your valuable scent. The Wildlife 381 Magnum Scrape-Dripper drips daytime only, to get bucks to come during daytime hours. It can operate for up to two to three weeks on four fluid ounces of scent depending on temperature swings. A nice feature of this dripper is that it gradually intensifies scent output to get bucks even more riled up.

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Deer Scent Types

Natural Scents

Estrous Scent of Doe

What scent attracts deer the most? That would be an estrous scent. The best deer scent to lure in that trophy buck. The purpose of a mature buck during the rut is of course to find a doe that is ready to be bred. The buck picks up pheromones in a doe’s urine with its nose. This tells the buck that a doe is ready to mate. The doe only produces this scent for three days. On the second day, she is ready to mate. Estrus doe scents are ideal to lure bucks in peak rut.

Tarsal Gland Scent of Buck

Tarsal glands, found on the hind legs of deer, secrete a musk deer use to identify other deer and learn their status. He does this by urinating on the glands. The urine then interacts with bacteria that are found in the hair around the tarsal glands to produce an odor that is unique to the individual deer. During the pre-and early-rut phase tarsal gland scents work great to lure bucks. This is because they think another buck (competitor) is nearby and they will search for it.

Buck Urine of Doe or Buck

Bucks use their urine for territory marking and social status. The animals dig into the ground to then urinate there. This is how a buck lets other bucks know that this is his territory.

Combination/Full-Spectrum Scents

Some hunters go for scents that combine various scents. These scents contain both estrus doe urine and buck urine with tarsal gland.

Forehead Gland Scent

Forehead Gland imitates the scent that comes from the forehead of a whitetail buck when he makes a rub. Perfect for use over mock scrapes or existing scrapes to make local bucks think there’s an intruder in the area.

About Synthetic Scents

Synthetic deer scents are made to mimic the applications that their natural counterpart accomplishes. A lot of hunters think that synthetic scents are not as effective as natural scents. This is not true, well not from a certain perspective. Deer are curious creatures. Synthetic doe estrous may not make a buck think there’s a doe that is ready to be bred. However, it does get his attention and he will likely follow the scent.

Synthetic scents have proven themselves to be highly effective from the early season until well past the rut.

When to use Deer Scents?

Every deer has a unique rutting odor, typically deposited in scrapes when the buck rub-urinates during the peak rut.

Pre-Rut

Before the rut bucks begin marking out their territory, getting ready for when the does go into estrus. They do this by making scrapes and investigating the scrapes of other bucks. You can make mock scrapes with buck scent to attract curious bucks who want to know the newcomer to their area.

Deer urine also works well before the rut and can have a calming effect on both bucks and does. Deer are social animals and usually want to be with other deer.

Peak-Rut

Every deer hunter knows that peak rut is the time for action. It is the time of year when deer scents have the biggest impact.

Post-Rut

After the rut, the deer are preparing for winter and are very cautious. During this time period, it’s best to be conservative with scents and stick to covering up your own scent. That said doe estrus can sometimes still lure in a dominant mature buck who’s looking for the last few does that haven’t mated.

How do you use deer scents?

There are various ways of implementing deer scents. We’ll go through them all below.

Dripper

If you intend to hunt over natural or mock scrapes, a dripper is the way to go. We like a full-spectrum scent for these setups to simulate a buck and doe visiting the scrape. This can tickle the territorial instincts in the resident dominant buck and appeal to the curiosity of smaller bucks. Our choice in drippers is the Wildlife 381 Magnum Scrape because a 4-ounce bottle will work for two or three weeks, enough to cover the core rut in our area.

Laying a scent trail

Scent trails are not the most efficient way of luring deer, but it is fun to see a deer follow the trail you layed out for him. To do this, simply take a drag-rag and douse it with a doe-in-estrous scent. What you do is you drag it behind you when you walk to your hunting stand or blind.

Scenting a decoy

A great way of attracting deer is using a scent on a decoy. How you do this is you water the decoy bait with doe estrus scent. It is recommended to act fast when a deer is attracted to the scent and in the spot where you want it to be because it will get spooked when it is distracted and you lose your kill.

Making a mock scrape

A great way to lure in bucks and even does is to make what appears to be the scrape of a dominant buck. Expose the bare earth and scrape into it a little with your boot. Then spray some buck urine in the mock scrape. You can even place a dripper above the scrape to make it appear active.

Boot pads

Hunters cover their boots with deer scent to attract them to the place they want them to. Apply the deer scent to the boot pads and walk a trail towards the place you want the deer to be.

Using gel or a stick

Gels and sticks are great because they cling to where you want to put them. Liquid sprays can dissipate into the wind or be washed away by a drizzle, but gel and sticks are a lot more resilient. That way you can be sure the scent you want is where you want it.

Scent Bombs

Scent bombs are a very easy way to spread a scent when hunting. It is much suited for beginners. The bombs contain an absorbing fuse that causes the smell of a doe. To properly use a scent bomb you’ll have to fill it with deer scent. Then, you hang in on a tree.

Sprays and wicks

The advantage of sprays is that you can spread them with little effort, and the scent can cover a larger area. Also, the scent can catch the wind more easily if you spray it.

Wicks do the same thing. They’re sticks that you saturate with scent. Then you hang the wicks. The wind easily catches and carries the scent to the surrounding deer.

Best Brands

ConQuest Scents

QonQuest Scents has experience in developing premium hunting scents for various animals for more than fifteen years. They also make great scent dispensers, scents for dog training, and more hunting merchandise. They also have a TV show that is called; Conquest 200. It can be watched on Pursuit, the Sportsman, and Hunt Channels. They also put out Youtube videos that are worth watching.

Tink’s

Tink’s has been one of the best brands that always put forth a well-performing line of deer scents and lures. The company is trusted by generations of hunters for nearly 50 years! Tink’s lures meet the needs of every phase of the hunt along with a broad variety of dispenser options. Their natural whitetail lures are certified CWD-free, extensively tested for effectiveness, and very simple to use. Whether you’re hunting trophy whitetails, black bears, big bull elk, monster moose, pigs, or predators, we have a product to help you succeed.

Buck Fever

Buck Fever Synthetic Scents completed the acquisition of the Buck Fever line of synthetic hunting scents and attractants back in January 2019. Previously, the product line was owned and manufactured by Michigan-based Synthetic Scents LTD. The Buck Fever brand, formerly known as HAWGS scents, has been producing a full line of pure synthetic deer and big game attractants for more than 20 years. Buck Fever is now one of the oldest synthetic scent companies in existence!

Nationwide Scents

Nationwide Scents is a family-owned wholesale and retail deer urine collection farm that was established in 1988. The family owns two farms where they care for more than five hundred whitetail deer. They also have two stainless steel collection facilities. Nationwide Scents never disappointed me and I hope they will make great deer attractants for years to come!

Wildlife Research

Wildlife Research was founded by two brothers. In 1983 they made Trail’s End #307, available to their fellow hunters. This was a great success. The brothers decided that the name Wildlife Research Center best described what their business was all about. The company developed attractant scents and masking scents for hunting Whitetail Deer, and other kinds of big game. Today they are one of the biggest players in the market.

Final Words

Using the right deer scents is extremely important for a successful hunting season. We recommend using them in combination with deer calls. I hope this post has sufficiently informed you regarding the use of deer scents and which ones to get. Thanks for reading this post, happy hunting!

Deer Scents – FAQs

Q: What about Food Plots?

Food plots are a highly effective method to lure deer from long distances. They also provide deer with nutritional substances. If you can set up one, then we highly recommend one. If your hunting area is not suited for a food plot then it is better to use other methods of luring deer.

Q: How to keep deer from smelling you?

With a cover/masking scent.

Q: What are deer cover scents?

Deer cover scents are also called masking scents. They are specifically developed to disguise smells on a hunter to help them go undetected by deer and other game. You can also use deer cover scents on deer decoys.

Q: What smell repels deer?

You can repel deer by using smells they dislike, such as marigolds, putrescent egg solids, mint, wolf urine, tansy, garlic, thyme, oregano, sage, rosemary, and lavender.