Do you use scent killer spray from the previous year, or do you throw it away and start overt every season? I personally keep reusing my old scent control bottles until they are empty, no matter how many seasons it takes. But, I did get to wondering if that was a bad idea. Below is what I found out.
Does Scent Killer Have An Expiration Date?
Some companies do put an actual expiration date on their scent control sprays, as seen in the image below. You can see that this bottle of Wildlife Research Center “Scent Killer” has an expiration date printed right on the bottom. Other companies do not make it so obvious, so I had to dig a little deeper.
Will Scent Killer Go Bad
Supposedly some scent control sprays can, in fact, “go bad”. So what exactly does that mean? Well, some brands will turn a darker color and actually smell different. Also, as far as I’m aware, all of them will lose effectiveness over time. Proper storage will ensure you get the most life possible out of your supply. More about that below.
What Is The Shelf Life Of Scent Control Spray
It seems like the stated shelf life on these sprays is anywhere from 2 to 3 years. When figuring a maximum date be sure to include how long you think it sat on the store shelf, not just when you bought it.
I reached out to 4 companies that sell scent control sprays. I asked them how long I should be able to use a bottle of spray and it still maintain its effectiveness. Two of the companies responded by the time I pushed out this post. Below, I paraphrased what they said.
Company 1 (Code Blue)
“If our Scent Elimination products are stored correctly, they can last for years. We suggest you store them in a cool dark area that does not get below freezing.”
Company 2 (Dead Down Wind)
“Our field sprays have a 36 month shelf life from the date they were bottled. To determine the bottled date, look on the bottom, or the back of the bottle. One of those locations should have a date like 12A2022. This means it was mixed and bottled on the 12 day of January 2022”.
With this bit of information above, I believe what I’m holding in the image below was bottled on July 6, 2022. So, if stored properly, this should last you until July 2025. That matches up with the expiration dates I was seeing on some of the Wildlife Research Center products. They had expiration dates of 2025 on their packages available in the stores as of August of 2022.
How To Properly Store Scent Control Spray
Be sure to store your scent control spray away from extreme heat and out of direct sunlight. Also don’t allow it to freeze. Those 3 variables seem to go a long ways in making your supply last. So, don’t store your product in a window sill or on the dash of your truck. Instead, store it in a non-clear container out of direct sunlight to attain more longevity.
What I Use Scent Killer For
I don’t personally rely on scent killer for scent reduction when sitting in the deer stand. Instead, I try my best to hunt with the wind in my favor. What I do use scent killing sprays for is to reduce the scent on my boots. Many times I’ve had deer cross my trail right after I climbed in the stand and they did not spook. I partially attribute this to treating my boots before walking in.
How To Make Your Own Scent Killing Spray
It is possible to make your own scent killing spray at home. You’ll need 3% hydrogen peroxide, distilled water, baking soda and either un-scented soap or un-scented shampoo. There are different variations on how to construct your own spray. You can find one way to make your own scent eliminator at Field & Stream’s site here.
Conclusion
In the past, I recklessly stored my years supply of Scent Killer in my hot truck during deer season. Then, I would use that same supply going into the following season. Now that I know Scent Killer can go bad, I intend on taking better care of my supply.
Instead of carrying around a big jug of scent spray, I’m going to offload just the amount I need for a day into a spray bottle for the field. The rest will stay out of the sun and inside the protection of my climate controlled home. I plan to cycle out any old stuff about every 24 months. Based on what I’ve learned, that’s my plan going forward.
Happy Hunting,
Augustus Clay
