Well i would say it is always a bad idea. Fu#kin gross. Anyway i knew a guy that said that he was smoking and chewing on his stand and he still shot a deer. That was rifle but still. I, first of all dont smoke or chew but that is pretty bad if you cant hold off for a few days in a tree stand. As far as spittin in the river. How high are you. That still leaves a lot of scent. especially if it is windy.