Yes they do but deer aren' t alarmed by the smell of wood smoke. Thats a natural smell. Forests have been burning down since the beggining of time. Its the man made smells that spook deer.Maybe you never witnessed a deer with its nose to the ground and run into the spot where you crossed its trail. If you have than you would know it deffinately smelled where you walked, unless you' ve taken appropriate measures so as to cover-up, hide or not leave any human scent on the ground.