PAhunterJEN

Was wondering if any of you have any experience hunting while smelling of woodsmoke? It's been geting cold at night now and I want to get the fireplace smoking. I am doing what I can to keep my clothing scentfree but there is no way I am showering twice a day when hunting. I know the woodsmoke will be in my hair. What do you all think?

TimberCreek

I burn wood in my cabin all season and yes everything smells like smoke, but the deer smell the smoke coming from the cabin and get used to it. They come around the cabin all the time. The key is do the deer sence the smell as a threat? I don't think so.

Hiawatha

I agree with timber, i don't think they can associate this with danger. On years where we have plenty of straw we burn the swaths in the field. Deer seem to be out in more numbers while the burn is going on. May possible act as a smudge or could be they are just plain curious.

1dahunter

Wood smoke is the perfect cover scent as alot of farms and homes in the country heat with wood its only a natural scent that doesnt spook deer.

davidhardegree

I bet the deer out West where the wildfires are view smoke as a threat

kevin1

That's only because they associate smoke with fire and therefore danger . Here in the East most fires are contained quickly so the deer don't spook as easily . In fact , the only smoke they usually smell is from woodstoves . Woodstoves don't act like predators ...

qrashandburn

PAHunterJen, for what it's worth I've read in multiple books that deer are afraid of fire, but are accustomed to smoke smells. These sources also claim that smoking your kit in campfire smoke is an excellent alternative to cover scents. One book suggested that the Native Americans did this as well, but I have no idea if that's true. I operate on the premise that people have killed deer for thousands of years without these products and a lot of these hunters spent much of their time in deer camps, where I'm sure they reeked of campfire smoke. I know I always do when I'm hunting. I'm kind of a traditionalist though, so consider the source.

Big Daddy K

Friend of mine is a hay farmer in east texas. He smells of diesel and at one time cigerett smoke all the time. Even when hunting. The deer in the area are used to farm equipment etc and pay no attention. He photographs and /or kills deer every single year for at least the last 25 years. I think as long as it is natual or usual your good to go.