Can scent blockers be of use to UK stalkers?

Expert advice on whether using scent blockers when stalking will improve your chances of success…

Q: Any experience using scent blockers? The American market seems very keen on them, but do they work?

Dom Holtam replies: There are lots of products on the market, but I don’t know how popular they are in the UK to be honest. In the US, bow hunting is much more popular, and where you are in very close proximity to your quarry, it may offer some advantage.

If you use decent fieldcraft, taking consideration of your wind directions and are taking shots at 100 yards, it is unlikely to make a huge difference. However, there are plenty of people that say the same about camo clothing.

If you stalk muntjac in dense cover, for example, it’s hard to always know which side of the wind the deer will be. There is no reason why you shouldn’t give it a try but as with all of these things, there is no magic bullet. Good fieldcraft and stealth are better than any man-made quick fix.