Campfires & Scent control????

[MagicBlade]

Have always tried to keep scent free and used doe or buck urine. But now a new guy on our lease loves campfires! He swears that wood burning doesn't effect hunting and is actually a good cover scent. What's everyone's opinion???

[MartinShooter08]

fire is not natural to ANY animals, they know it is danger. JMO but no way

[wheels]

i smoke all of mine with Hickery wood

[Sparkles]

fire is not natural to ANY animals, they know it is danger

Makes since to me. I just don't wear my hunting clothes and boots around the fire. Our camp is pretty far from any stands so actually having a campfire doesn't bother me.

[temple droptine]

Depends on how "domesticated" the area you are hunting is. If there are plenty of people that have fireplaces, or have camp fires in the area, you are fine. If there are prescribed burns in the area regularly, you are fine. If you are the only one in the county that has a fire, you are screwed. I have used smoke for cover scent for ever, and it has worked great, but I have always hunted in areas that the wildlife are accustomed to the smell. To each their own. If you or him are getting busted, or you notice a vast difference in the way the wildlife acts, I would recommend some changes quickly.
-crb

[Shake N' Bake]

I have seen a hunting show where they burned dry grass and stood in the smoke for cover scent??

[Sparkles]

Depends on how "domesticated" the area you are hunting is. If there are plenty of people that have fireplaces, or have camp fires in the area, you are fine. If there are prescribed burns in the area regularly, you are fine.

Good points.

[Roy]

With all of the variables involved with scent and motion detection it really is hard to isolate the affect of smoke on clothes. Some deer might find the new scent curious, others might run from it. I've personally used this trick before, but only because I didn't have any more scent-free/clean camo and figured that I had a better chance with my clothes being full of smoke. I did see deer the next day, but the wind was in my favor too.

Just hunt the right wind and you'll be fine.

[Bonesplitter]

I took two deer after standing at the campfire this week, passed on several others. But as stated above if the smell is common in the area it works if not I wouldnt do it.

[bcavin08]

I have found deer to be almost as complicated as my wife. It just depends on the animal. I have a buddy who will actually smoke in a climbing blind (he likes it way up there) and laid the smackdown whereas I have had deer turn away for the scent of sausage on my breath.
Still, I prefer to err on the side of caution...
and the wind.

[Pirogue]

But will I get sick from the fumes from the burned trash?? Plastic bags,diapers ect!!!

Thats what mine smell!!

I smoked my ground blind after I bought it to get rid of any funkyness.

[Humper]

When I was in Africa in August the PH burned dried dung! The stuff would make your eyes water but it sure made a difference. The animals never got spooky regardless of wind.

[Mudslinger]

There is actually a "smoker kit" on the market based on the "bee smokers" and according to some on another site, no negatives. Smoke suppossedly kills human bacteria and has been used for years. My opinion is no matter what you do, use, bath in or spray on, if a deer gets down wind of you, it is likely to smell you. You cannot completely eliminate human oder no matter what you do. If you can mask it enough and a deer gets downwind and gets a wiff, but a very small wiff and it is not strong, they may walk on thru or come to the feeder. Just my opinion.

[leebtattoos]

fire is not natural to ANY animals,

i couldnt disagree more. fire is COMPLETELY natural. it happens all the time and has wayyyyyy before we where out there hunting game. i do agree that in some areas it might not work just like any cover scent, but animals deal with it and smell smoke a lot more than some would think.

not picking on anyone, just posting another chain of thought

[Main Beam]

I suppose if you were to get busted or others have been busted while they smell like smoke the deer might get smart to it. Who knows the're all different. I myself enjoy a warm fire, cold beer and good friends to much to concern myself with it. But with that being said I don't hang my bowhunting camo close to a fire either.