Scent masking techniques

[mdb23]

Gentlemen,

I am currently reading "Cold Zero" by Christopher Whitcomb, in which he relays his experiences as a FBI HRT sniper. One of the things that caught my attention was the fact that, while making his ghillie suit, he "smeared it with deer shit."

Is the use of animal excrement a common tactic to mask the sniper's scent? Finally, wouldn't you have to use the excrement of an animal native to the region in which you are operating in order to avoid introducing a new scent into the environment?

If this OPSEC, feel free to delete it, and I offer my apologies in advance.

mdb23

[Echo-8-Hotel]

Attempting to hide a scent is only as effective as the dogs handlers ignorance at reading the dogs reaction to what he is tracking.

[mdb23]

Originally posted by Echo-8-Hotel:
Attempting to hide a scent is only as effective as the dogs handlers ignorance at reading the dogs reaction to what he is tracking.


Thanks for the reply. To be honest, the thought of this guy having to crawl around in a shit stained ghillie (especially if it is an ineffective tactic) puts a smile on my face. I don't know if anyone else has read the book, but this lad is definitely proud of himself and his accomplishments in life.

mdb23

[This message has been edited by mdb23 (edited 11-14-2001).]