Tips & Tactics

Hunter’s Dry Mouth Tip

Hunter’s Dry Mouth Tip

By Eric Ericson

Here’s a trick I’ve used for several years, whenever I go hunting, scouting or spend extended time in the outdoors. Because Native Americans used it for centuries before teaching it to settlers, you could say this tip is ancient.

Whenever the Indians went on lengthy hunting excursions or walked a long distance, they would place a small pebble in their mouths or under their tongues to keep them from getting thirsty.

The small rock fools salivary glands into continually producing saliva to keep your mouth from drying out.

Since I don’t want to risk a broken tooth or swallowing a pebble, I use Tic Tacs. They dissolve slowly and accomplish essentially the same thing the stone does.

With Tic Tacs in my mouth, I can sit longer in my treestand without the need to reach for my water bottle. Drinking less water also cuts down on the need to go to the bathroom during a long sit.

Editor’s Note by Tim H. Martin

Eric’s ancient dry mouth tip is one I’ve practiced for decades, only my pebble of choice is a stick of chewing gum.

Although I don’t believe the smell of gum would spook deer, I begin chewing it about 30 minutes before I reach my stand. By then, it’s pretty much a scentless, chewable rock.

Like a Native American’s pebble, I keep the ball of gum tucked between my cheek and gum; it really does alleviate dry mouth.

I first read about the pebble trick when I was a boy, so I decided to try it while fishing on a hot summer day. I picked up a small rock right off the cow pasture floor and popped it into my mouth. I spent the next few moments spitting out grit, dirt and, Good Lord knows what else. The Indians probably had better sense to rinse off the pebble first!

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