Hobbies And Interests
Decomposition
One way in which scent lock clothing's effectiveness can be reduced is through the decomposition of the active materials. Carbon technology is often used in scent lock clothing, but can wear away with each use, requiring it to be reactivated by heating the clothing. There has been no research, however, that has concluded that a household dryer's heat will reactivate the material. Absent the owner of the clothing having access to an extreme heat dryer, the active materials will disappear over time.
Caretaking
Hunters must properly take care of their scent lock clothing or else it will not last. Scent-Lok Technologies, a manufacturer of scent lock clothing, recommends washing the clothing at least two to three times per hunting season, then storing it in a sealed plastic bag. Scent lock clothing typically has a life span of three to five years, but if the clothing is not treated properly, then the lifespan can be shortened. Also, hunters who engage aggressively and frequently in the sport may find that they must replace their scent lock clothing more frequently.
Holistic Approach
Whether scent lock clothing is effective depends on the hunter's approach to the sport. If the hunter takes a holistic approach and does not rely solely on the clothing to minimize his scent, then the clothing typically yields as many benefits as it possibly can. However, if the hunter smokes, sweats or chews food or gum, then odors will be released into the air. Hunters may have unrealistic expectations for what the clothing can do: scent lock clothing cannot make a hunter 100 percent without scent.
Litigation
In 2010, a federal court ruled, after hearing expert testimony on the subject, that scent lock clothing is ineffective and, therefore, manufacturers are guilty of false advertising when they claim that it works. This ruling is, perhaps, the most conclusive evidence that the debate on the effectiveness of scent lock clothing is over.