Maker of special T-shirt says it attracts deer

August 9, 2007

With deer season set to open in late September in some parts of the Mid-South, many local hunters know they're likely to spend a few days sweating in their tree stands before the wintertime shivering begins.

But thanks to a new product from Southern Game Calls, for once, sweating may not be such a bad thing.

The Clarksdale, Miss.-based company, which is famous for high-quality waterfowl, deer and turkey calls, has developed a new clothing product known as the "Activator Scent Control System."

It's a T-shirt with patented technology that converts human scent into more hunter-friendly scents like fresh earth, acorn or persimmon -- and it will be available for the first time ever at this week's Mid-South Hunting & Fishing Extravaganza.

The show will be held Friday-Sunday at Agricenter International in Memphis. Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for children ages 7-14 and free for kids 6 and under.

"What we have is a true moisture management shirt," said Greg Hood, owner of Southern Game Calls. "It's not just an odor eliminator that masks your human scent. It actually turns your scent into something that will cause deer to hunt you."

At first glance, the Activator Scent Control System looks like just another T-shirt. But it's actually a multi-layered garment engineered specifically for scent management.

The inside layer of the shirt is looped polymer that draws moisture away from the skin. The human scent from that moisture is expelled through the tightly knitted outer layer where it is converted into a more pleasant aroma by the activator chemicals.

Those chemicals are sold with the shirts and must be applied before the hunt. They come in a wide array of scents, including hardwood bottom, acorns, persimmons, corn, cedar and pine -- just to name a few.

"The activator actually bonds with human scent as it's expelled through the outer layer of the garment," Hood said. "Anyone who has done much deer hunting knows the importance of scent."

Studies have shown that the moist nose of a whitetail deer can pick up scents from several hundred yards away, depending on wind speed and direction. Hood said that's actually a good thing with this product.

"There are people out there who won't hunt certain stands if the wind is blowing from a certain direction," Hood said. "That kind of thinking and inconvenience just isn't necessary with our shirts. Your scent will actually serve as an attractant."

Because paperwork for his patent was not finalized until Aug. 3, Hood has not signed a deal to mass-market his product through major distributors. That means this week's show will be hunters' first opportunity to order the product.

Hood is excited about the official debut, and he believes hunters will be excited to see -- and smell -- the shirts.

"We do a lot of filming for our company, and scent management is just a must," said Hood, referring to the many videos produced by Southern Game Calls. "We've had some huge bucks -- some 300-pound Boone & Crockett deer -- come within 10 yards of our camera from the absolute wrong direction because their sense of smell led them to us.

"That's what we want hunters to understand. This product will actually cause deer to hunt for you."

-- Bryan Brasher: 529-2343

MID-SOUTH HUNTING & FISHING EXTRAVAGANZA

When and where: Friday-Sunday at Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road Memphis, TN. Show hours are Friday 2-9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Details: The show offers a multitude of outdoor products and resources, ranging from the latest in hunting and fishing equipment to resorts and vacation destinations. More than 200 exhibitors are expected.

Ticket prices: $7 for adults, $3 for children ages 7-14, free for children 6 and under. All military service men and women with proper identification card will be admitted for half-price. All youth ages 7-18 who have passed a TWRA Hunter Education course in 2006 can present their certificate for free admission.

Attractions and show stoppers: The "Duck Commander" Phil Robertson will be at the show all weekend and will do seminars every day. Archers will compete in the 3D Pop-Up Archery Tournament, and hunters will bring their deer mounts for the Big Buck Contest sponsored by Buckmasters.

More information: For discount coupons and details on all show attractions, visit exposouth.com or call 901-867-7007.