Can I bring scented things to camping outdoors?

Leave them at home. Beside the critter attraction problems, living and sleeping in the close confines of a stuffy tent enhances the smell of anything on or around you. In cold or rainy weather especially, scents that you might like under ordinary circumstances can become intolerable. I knew two guys who cooked their dinner in camp using fresh garlic that got in their hands and clothes. They had to zip up their tent tight when it rained in the night and the build-up of the smell from the garlic got so bad that one of them got sick and they had to open the tent up to ventilate -- they got wet but it was better than suffocating from the smell. And I shared a tent with someone once who was using a flowery moisturizer that eventually mixed with the smell of her sweat and created a really sour stench -- I had to ask her to stop using it. Unscented is the way to go with everything you can in camp. Just think of how bad it is to be stuck beside someone in a crowded elevator who is wearing perfume and you'll understand what I mean.

you can wear what you want, probably best to invest in insect repellent -this reli helps, look up the area you are going to see what kind of insects are there, if they are going to kill you i would definately get insect repellent if not you are safe enough wearing any kind of perfume, just remeber insects are attracted to flowers

You don't like bugs? How about chipmunks, mice, skunks, coyotes etc. Smellables include: Matches - Lighter - Stove - Fuel, All film cameras and extra film, Clothes that have spilled food or drink on them, Condiments (all spices included), Chapstick - Use unscented only! Deodorant/Antiperspirant*, Extra batteries, Feminine hygiene products (used or unused)**, First Aid kits & Band Aids, All Food, candy bars, treats, trash, unburnable garbage, (check and doublecheck)**, Foot powder, Insect repellant, Lip balm, Lotions of any kind, Medicine (place in boot if needed during the night such as inhalers, etc.), Mole Skin or Mole Foam, Shampoos, Soaps (including Campsuds) - personal & laundry, Suntan lotion and sunscreen, Tobacco*, Toothbrushes and toothpaste, Unwashed dishes, Water bottles (bears have associated these with sugary drink mix) …Anything in question. Anything else that has a non-human odor may attract bears, even though not food related. Not in bear country ? What about “Mini-Bears” ? SQUIRRELS, CHIPMUNKS, RACCOONS, SKUNKS, COYOTES, POSSUMS & MICE etc. Always LEAVE at HOME things like: ‘FLAVORED’ LIP BALM, AFTER SHAVE & COLOGNE Anything with an UNNECESSARY odor. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Always… PACK OUT YOUR GARBAGE! * Highly discouraged ** Not to be placed in latrines -- Based on Philmont Scout Ranch BEAR PROCEDURES -

The warmer the weather the more you have to worry about scent with regard to bugs. But any pleasant smell will attract bears, if they are in the area where you are camping. Also...when you are camping, showers are sometimes few and far between. Personally, I would rather just smell body odor than to smell body odor plus a souring clash of failing scented products on top of it. The more days you skip a shower, the more these products stack onto your funk and it is horrible. Some even clog your pores and make you stink worse, not to mention that they can lead to rash and infection. Since it is cooler, I wouldn't go crazy and leave it all home, but I would stick to the basics and lightly scented and nothing that you would use JUST for the smell. I think your basic toiletries are appropriate. Soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, moisturizer...all with a light or no scent and skip the body splashes and heavy perfumed stuff. Rinse them well. If you were in the heat, or had an allergy to stuff like bee stings or if you were in an area with dangerous mosquitoes, I would say...skip most of these products altogether and if you must use anything make sure it is fragrance free.

not only will attract bugs but wild animals may think its smells tastey

Depends on where you're winter camping. Flies seem to be a problem when the sun only shows itself for an hour or so and the temperature rises above 50°F. :-D For bugs, use nothing but unscented products. Jungle Juice or Cutters are the best bug repellents. BUT... Interesting, no one mentioned bears. They are also attracted to cosmetics, toothpaste, deodorant, etc--UNscented too! If you're camping in a tent overnight, be sure to put all your personal items in the bear bag with all the food and utensils and learn how and where to hang it: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/bear_bag_hanging_technique.html

If you're camping in the winter it won't matter a bit. And if there's enough bugs that they might actually bother you because you're wearing perfume or scented lotion, you're going to want to be wearing mosquito (bug) spray anyway. That's way too minor an issue to worry about, especially for winter camping.

Yes all that stuff attracts insects but if its cold enough (55 or below), you shouldn't have anything to worry about.