If a "vanilla" scent was to be detected by deer, and did not spook them, I doubt very much if the scent is going to pull them off their standard route.

I call such scents a "curiosity scent." If they (curiosity scents) do not spook the deer, such a curiosity scent might be useful within your fire zone, and might stop the deer long enough for the deer to sniff the scent and provide you a standing shot.