Deer and Smoke Question

[peterson99]

I have heard many stories of hunters shooting their biggest deer while they are smoking. I have heard the reason people often shoot deer while they are smoking, is because deer are attracted to smoke. My question is, would it be considered illegal baiting if someone started a camp near their deer stand to attract deer?

[picksbigwagon]

no, and I am assuming you mean a campfire not a camp

[harvey lee]

I think its a curiosity scent to them. I see no issues with a campfire but I would be careful with how big it gets and keep it attend as things are dry this time of year.

I don't believe a campfire would attract deer though.

[peterson99]

I hunt on private land, and I was considering doing this next season permitting it's legal. I was planning on using one of those self enclosed portable bonfire pits.

The curiosity scent makes sense. With the presence of wildfire's the scent isn't unknown to them.

[Matt Breuer]

My dad and I both shot our biggest bucks while toking on a cig. That being said, I'm pretty sure a man-made fire on the ground isn't going to attract a deer, and I think that people who shoot them while smoking are just getting lucky.

[SpitnArgueDuckClub*]

There is a deer attractant that smokes. You light it like a firework punk or incense stick, then you place a cover with holes over it.

[MrCrappie]

I'm sure lighting a campfire will not attract any more deer. Everytime I hunt and there's a campfire 100 yards from my stand, I NEVER see deer.

I have seen deer after a smoke and like others have said, it may be a curiosity scent, but I doubt it. It's luck.

I'd be willing to bet that you'd see more deer if you smell like nothing!

[eric29]

The last time i checked, i notice that cigerette smoke rises. Maybe since then it changed but i doubt it. Since the lil bit of smoke from a cig rises i dont believe the deer smell it. And that is why people see deer while smoking, they dont see more deer. I dont smoke and im not gunna start smoking bc someone said it attracts then.

I think starting a camp fire to attract deer is just silly.

[motley man]

I have smoked for years on stand and have taken many when I'm smoking. Also have taken bear when smoking. Just lucky I guess! Urine,feces, or other odors will alert deer and other animals to something in their area. But as long as they don't see anything they will go thru thew area. Sometimes the old wise ones will leave that area and go deep.

[BobT]

The last time i checked, i notice that cigerette smoke rises. Maybe since then it changed but i doubt it. Since the lil bit of smoke from a cig rises i dont believe the deer smell it. And that is why people see deer while smoking, they dont see more deer. I dont smoke and im not gunna start smoking bc someone said it attracts then.

I think starting a camp fire to attract deer is just silly.

Out pheasant hunting today with a friend that smokes Backwoods cigars. I could smell them from 30 yards away and I don't have anything that even remotely comes close to the olfactory lobes of a deer.

To the question of using a small campfire. I once came upon an old timer that was standing next to a campfire while deer hunting. I asked him if he thought it was a good idea to have the fire going. He told me that he always did that and has had successful hunts while doing so. His theory was that deer are inquisitive and will come around to check it out. A couple things he said to be wary of. First, you don't want a flaming inferno, just a small campfire. Second, you don't want to be spending too much time stoking the fire. Your movements will be noticed so that's a challenge.

[gatorhunter]

Or a hunter smoking a cigarette smells like a rutted up old buck or doe in heat; take your pick!

[pulleye16]

ummmm...yeah, I don't think starting a fire in the woods will help you shoot more deer. One thing I noticed when I used to smoke out hunting(never in my stand) is that I stopped walking, paid attention and gazed over the woods while I'm having a smoke. When people smoke they tend to sit somewhere and relax...giving them time to look at their surroundings and like most of hunting, they luckily spot a deer!

[Boar]

I agree with you pulleye, I dont smoke but when sitting in stand an i start to get lazzy an head bobbing an feel like I just wanna shut my eyes for a minuet, I start to chew sunflower seeds, it takes away the boardom an keeps me alert, I'm sure the smoke has a curiosity draw to some deer but i also know if a person can stave away ol' sleepy head he'll certainly be far more succesfull when that big buck comes by. So if ya dont smoke an your eyes get heavy spit some seeds. keps me alert. Boar