after quitting for 14 weeks last spring I got back on them. I was sitting in the tree this year puffing on one and I thought of this same question I think it was back in the spring that some ask this question too. I came up with this idea yes they can smell the smoke and it doesn't bother them, I think the smell off the smoker does. Ie smell your fingers after a smoke and that is what you smell Like. that is the smell That spooks them.