Getting ready to go hunting is a MAJOR undertaking -- at least for me.  Being primarily a bowhunter, scent is my biggest concern, and I spend a lot of time agonizing over it and looking for new ways to reduce my "scent footprint."

I learn something new every year, whether from reading the articles for Buckmasters, from other hunters, or just by accident. This year was no exception.

As I was getting ready to head to Dreamwoods Adventures hunting camp in southern Illinois, I gathered up all my hunting clothes and equipment. My bow, arrows, quiver, etc., are not a problem since I shoot pretty much year-round, but the clothes and other gear seem to get scattered out over the course of the off season. Having finally gathered everything together, it was quite an intimidating pile: Five large bins (I've learned to purchase the clear ones so I can see what's inside) full to the brim of clothing and gadgets.

Next comes the sorting. I sort my clothes several ways: First by function (bow, gun, waterproof or extreme cold) and next by whether the item will be worn as an inside layer or outer layer.

Before I begin to wash my hunting clothes, though, I run a load of T-shirts, underwear and socks through the washer, and I use my hunter-friendly laundry soap. Running that first load of non-hunting items first helps remove any other scent, perfume and UV brightener residue from the machine. I'm a big believer in the UV factor when it comes to deer hunting. If you don't know what I'm talking about, visit http://www.atsko.com/products/uv-protection/u-v-killer.html to learn more. While you're at ATSKO's website, look around a little and check out their laundry detergents and other products.

Next into the washing machine will be the base layers: Long underwear tops and bottoms, followed by mid layers like vests.

Something I'm learning about base layers is that it is best to buy them in sets. I have several mis-matched tops and bottoms, and I end up spending a lot of time trying to decide which pants to wear with which tops. From now on when I buy base layers, I will get sets so I don't have to think about it and can match them up instantly. Also get a few different colors if possible when buying different weights so you can quickly determine between various levels of insulation.

The last things I wash are the outside layers, the gloves and face masks. Here's another hint: You can't own too many face masks. I go way overboard when it comes to keeping my teeth and gums clean, but I try to use a facemask only once before washing it. We emit a LOT of stinky odor from our mouths, and the cloth of our facemasks captures and holds that odor. Get several masks and wash them regularly.

As you wash your clothes, make sure to take them directly from the drier to a plastic bin or bag. Also make sure that you have dried a few loads of non-hunting clothes without drier sheets or other scented products. Also clean out the lint filter.

Probably the most useful thing I learned this year in the preparation process was a way to wash some of the other gear I have to take with me. I have been hesitant in the past to wash things like hoist ropes, safety vests, deer drags and even my hunting pack because I was afraid (and rightly so) that the strings and straps would get tangled in the washer and cause damage or become damaged.

This year as I was washing, I noticed that my wife has several "delicates" bags in the laundry room. These are mesh, zippered bags for washing bras and shirts with straps, etc. She doesn't need to know that I borrowed one and washed my safety rope, hoist rope and several other items. It worked like a charm. I just washed the empty bag first with the T-shirts and socks to remove regular detergent residue and I was all set.

I also washed my fanny pack in the machine this year. My dryer is two years old, and I finally figured out what the shelf unit that came with it is for. The shelf slides onto the dryer door opening and can be used to dry shoes, hats or objects with metal or plastic clips (like hunting packs). The item sits on the shelf throughout the drying cycle and doesn't tumble. You can't really mix other items at the same time, but it's a good tip to know when you need to dry something quickly, or when allowing an item to dry outside runs the risk of picking up unwanted scent.