Bicycle tube - lone wolf buckle - rubber scent

[ThePreBanMan]

Got a new set of straps for this year. Figured I would try the tubing as opposed to stealth strips. Much less labor and time consuming to apply. But the tube has a strong rubber smell. How do you guys deal with that? Does it fade over time, do you spray it down with pixie dust, etc?

[Jackson Marsh]

The smell goes away over time. I've had deer sniff my sticks and not spook. Your human scent is the problem, if they smell you it is usually game over. Play the wind.

[Stanley]

The stand smells also. I wouldn't worry about it.

[bowhunter15]

X3 on what was already said.

[<DK>]

Let them sit outside till season in the sun. Try to prop them open so there some air flow. You could try some water w baking soda or someone told me vinegar in water works well.

[Eddiegomes83]

Honestly stealth stripping or felting works better. In my opinion.

[DEERSLAYER]

Got a new set of straps for this year. Figured I would try the tubing as opposed to stealth strips. Much less labor and time consuming to apply. But the tube has a strong rubber smell. How do you guys deal with that? Does it fade over time, do you spray it down with pixie dust, etc?

I found the bicycle tubing to be a pain to put on. They are actually more labor. Plus it doesn't last near as long as the Stealth Strips will.

The rubber tubes I got stunk bad. I tried washing them and soaking in lemon scented dish washing liquid, baking soda, soaking in vinegar for days and anything else I could think of or find online, but they still stink bad. I think an unnatural smell is generally going to be better than human scent but an unnatural scent can put deer on alert or spook them. I have had this happen on occasion. Especially with heavily pressured deer. You don't want some old doe or paranoid yearling snorting up a storm just as a mature buck is about to show up.

I really think you would be better off and happier with the Stealth Strips instead of using some stinky bicycle tubes that you may be replacing every year or two.

[Uncle Lou]

Maybe try an older bike tube that has been lying around. That should not have as much odor as new. But, stealth stripping a buckle should not be that time consuming. A set of sticks takes a bit of time, but not a few buckles.

I think Dewey said he did buckles with both stealth strips and innertube. Maybe he will see this and comment

[JAK]

I just did mine this summer the smell is gone

[Dewey]

Maybe try an older bike tube that has been lying around. That should not have as much odor as new. But, stealth stripping a buckle should not be that time consuming. A set of sticks takes a bit of time, but not a few buckles.

I think Dewey said he did buckles with both stealth strips and innertube. Maybe he will see this and comment

I did that but wouldn't recommend it. With both there was a bit too much pressure on the release button and I had a belt slip.

[Dewey]

All kinds of rubber on the road and deer don't seem afraid to cross them.

[brancher147]

I wouldn't worry about rubber smell.

[Bigburner]

I used inner tubes for years but they split over time but this year I took some advise and got some yak grips. I screwed up by not going that route long ago. Best $15 bucks I've spent in a while.

[Dewey]

I used inner tubes for years but they split over time but this year I took some advise and got some yak grips. I screwed up by not going that route long ago. Best $15 bucks I've spent in a while.

Agree

[Bigburner]

I used inner tubes for years but they split over time but this year I took some advise and got some yak grips. I screwed up by not going that route long ago. Best $15 bucks I've spent in a while.

Agree

I was listening to you Dewey