Guest insanity42 Posted May 27, 2015 Posted May 27, 2015 The type of batteries commonly used are alkaline and are prone to leaking. Potassium carbonate is formed by the potassium hydroxide in the battery reacting with the carbon dioxide in the air. It looks like a white crusty or feathery powder. Some people describe a metallic odor for it, though I can't say I've smelled the same. Very high temperatures can rupture the batteries and cause the same. If the batteries have a white crusty powder around the ends, more than likely it leaked.
Guest insanity42 Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 I retrieved this list of polymers and their odors from the Handbook of Odors in Plastic Materials by George Wypych. Acrylonitrile-butadiene elastomer: slightly rubbery Bromobutyl rubber: none to mild Carrageenan: slight marine Cellulose acetate butyrate Chlorobutyl rubber: mild Ethylene n-butyl acrylate carbon monoxide terpolymer: mild acrylate-likeE Ethylene-vunyl acetate copolymer: mild, ester-like Gelatin: musty Linear low density polyethylene: mild hydrocarbon Poly(acrylic acid): acetic Poly(acrylonitrile-co-styrene-co-acrylate: faint specific cis-1,4-Polybutadiene: rubber-like Poly(butyl methacrylate): methacrylate Polychloroprene: mild Polyethylene, chlorosulfonated: slight, ester-like Poly(ethyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate): characteristic, faint Poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid): acidic Poly(ethylene-co-butyl acrylate): characteristic, acrylic Poly(ethylene-co-n-butyl acrylate): faint acrylic odor Poly(ethylene-co-ethyl acrylate): chacateristic, acrylate Poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid): mild methacrylic Poly(ethylene-co-methyl acrylate): ester-like Poly(ethyl acrylate-co-methyl methacrylate-co-triammonoethyl methacrylate chloride): characteristic, faint Poly(methyl methacrylate-co-acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene): faint, specific Polymethylsilsesquioxane: characteristic Polynorbornene: characteristic Polypropylene: acid (some) Polypropylene glycol: sweet Polypropylene, maleic anhydride modified: mild hydrocarbon Poly(styrene-co-a-methylstyrene): slight, hydrocarbon Poly(styrene-co-butadiene-co-methyl methacrylate): pungent, sweet Poly(vinyl butyrate): slightly pungent Poly(vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate): mild, pleasant Poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone): faint, specific Silane-crosslinkable polyethylene: very faint Styrene-butadiene block copolymer: faint, specific The source of the odor varies but cane be from additives, reactions during processing, and/or the raw material. Polyethylene is the most common type of plastic, used primarily in plastic bags and plastic containers (including bottles), but also gas pipes, shrink film, bubble wrap, and toys.
MIB Posted May 28, 2015 Moderator Posted May 28, 2015 Regarding the original question .. I think scent is irrelevant. I assume they know I'm around, often precisely where I am, so attempts to be stealthy including hiding my scent are entirely wasted and likely counter-productive if it's obvious I am indeed attempting stealth. Much better to just go to a good spot and be myself, in plain sight, do what I do, and hope it attracts curiosity. In other words, **I'm the bait**. MIB 1
Guest insanity42 Posted May 28, 2015 Posted May 28, 2015 Great signature line, insanity42.Thanks, it has some relevance I think.
Sunflower Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 Regarding the original question .. I think scent is irrelevant. I assume they know I'm around, often precisely where I am, so attempts to be stealthy including hiding my scent are entirely wasted and likely counter-productive if it's obvious I am indeed attempting stealth. Much better to just go to a good spot and be myself, in plain sight, do what I do, and hope it attracts curiosity. In other words, **I'm the bait**. MIB Good plan.
Guest diana swampbooger Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 I think it would be dangerous for you in the long run but pouring a puddle of human female urine in the path might get a good picture as the booger would most likely stop to 'inspect'. Some people think the boogers that come in close are the male teenagers.
bipedalist Posted May 31, 2015 BFF Patron Posted May 31, 2015 ....... I am sure it has been discussed previously, but I have wondered if the plastic casing for trail cameras have an odor as many plastics do. There are scientific papers posted by government and educational institution scientists (easily retrieved by a forum search, even on 1,0 if you have premium; or online can't recall link) that indicate bears specifically tear into game cams because of plasticizer and hydrocarbon smells of certain plastics used in their construction.
Guest insanity42 Posted May 31, 2015 Posted May 31, 2015 There are scientific papers posted by government and educational institution scientists (easily retrieved by a forum search, even on 1,0 if you have premium; or online can't recall link) that indicate bears specifically tear into game cams because of plasticizer and hydrocarbon smells of certain plastics used in their construction. Bears are attracted to some insulation or padding materials that use formaldehyde, which readily oxidizes with atmospheric oxygen to formic acid, which is in ant venom. Their nose tells them there is an ant nest inside and they tear it open to get a snack. I would think the plastic casing of a trail camera would be a type of polyethylene, which depending on the type, can have an acidic or estery odor (esters are responsible for many aromas of fruits, there are many kinds).
Woodslore Posted June 2, 2015 Posted June 2, 2015 Have you tried a cover attract scent. I place a camera for deer and spray Apple Mash around the area. It helps "cover" my scent but also, and more so, attracts wildlife. Might be worth a try, never know. Often when the more advanced ideas or theories don't work simple gets the job done.
Guest Posted June 16, 2015 Posted June 16, 2015 @Painthorse good thread. I read somewhere Sasquatch are attracted copper as in the metallic composition of pennies as well as gummy bears the candy and thought about electricity or current and copper. Way down south close to the Gulf of Mexico say in Louisiana, on hot muggy days you can smell the electrical charge in the air as the storms rolls inward from the sea. The smell is much like a salty ionized copper odor. – Just saying.
Painthorse Posted June 19, 2015 Author Posted June 19, 2015 @Gumshoeye, interesting what you wrote above about the copper odor! Would possibly be similar to that odd odor that I have smelled at times when I have opened the cams after being set out. On a side note I wanted to give an update that whatever was going on has gone KA-PUT, NADA, nothing.---> again. So back to waiting, observing, etc.
Yuchi1 Posted June 19, 2015 Posted June 19, 2015 Well, they have been observed on at least one occasion eating a cat, so we have that. Should researchers/hunters start staking out chinese restaurants?
gigantor Posted June 20, 2015 Admin Posted June 20, 2015 Has anyone tried "marking their territory" to see if it attracts animals? I'm considering doing that around the cameras in our research area to see what happens....
BobbyO Posted June 20, 2015 SSR Team Posted June 20, 2015 The good Dr in Oregon allegedly did, what happened next made him cry for the next 20 years just thinking about it.
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