Photo: Bernie Moss sent us a unique tip for deodorizing boots he learned from his uncle. Here, Bernie poses with a nice Ohio 8-pointer he took on his birthday.
You know how new boots have a strong odor that’s difficult to get rid of? My uncle taught me his trick for deodorizing new boots, as well as his old, well-worn boots.
I grew up on a farm in Ohio and couldn’t afford commercial hunting products — which work great — but we often utilized whatever resources we had handy.
Since there was always an extra sack or two of whole corn in the barn, we put that corn to good use.
My uncle taught me to first pour a couple of inches of whole corn in the bottom of a bin or kitchen-sized trashcan, and then put my boots inside.
We made sure the boots were clean inside and out, and next, we’d fill them up with the whole corn. Then, we filled up the entire container with corn, covered it, and left the boots inside for 3 to 5 days.
This requires approximately one 50-pound bag of corn. Make sure to use WHOLE CORN, not cracked or shelled corn. It’s too messy.
Dump out all the corn and your boots will be deodorized and ready for your next hunting excursion.
A 50-pound bag will cost about $10 and you can reuse it later in the season. Or, just feed it to the animals.
I’ve found this works particularly well for removing that strong rubbery manufactured smell from brand new rubber boots.
— Editor’s Note by Tim H. Martin
Bernie hunts in the corn country of Ohio, and his tactic it meant to match the odors deer are accustomed to in his part of the world — Midwestern cornfields.
Depending on the definition in your state, the use of corn in any way could be technically considered baiting, so check your state’s wildlife regulations first.
There are alternatives to corn. Match the odor to what your deer smell on a daily basis.
I’ve known hunters who hunt in hardwoods to seal up their new pair of boots in a trash bag filled with crushed acorns.
In the Deep South, many use pine needles, while farther north, hunters use cedar chips and fir branches.
Another common practice in cow pasture country is to put on the new pair of boots, then find a fresh cow plop and step right in. I’m guilty of doing this, myself.
But after using the cow plop tactic a couple of times, my wife has no problem with me spending money on a bottle of commercial scent-eliminator!
— Photo Courtesy of Bernard J. Moss
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