This is my first year deer hunting, and I’ve got a question I just can’t seem to find a answer to. So, on all the hunting shows you see all the guys sitting around a camp fire every night, and hunt the next morning. My question is, how would you go about keeping the smoke smell off of you before climbing in the stand? Because to me it seems like that smell would spook the deer away if they smell smoke. Or do y’all generally not have a fire at camp until the last night before y’all go home?

Campfire time is the best part if you can have a safe fire

There is no way to hide the smell. Animals smell fire all the time

I hunt in a box blind that won't matter what I smell like. If you are in an open stand or close to the deer where scent control is needed, a camp fire certainly won't help! And yes, I've been busted many times the next day after sitting by the camp fire.

I don’t wear my hunting clothes around the campfire. I still smell like smoke, but not quite as bad with clean clothes.

[quote=Brother in-law]Campfire time is the best part if you can have a safe fire

That’s exactly why I’m trying to figure out how to have one and still not being too easily busted by the deer

Don't wear hunting clothes around camp fire or cooking. Hunt out of blind but still have to walk in.

That’s exactly why I’m trying to figure out how to babe one while minimizing the odds of me being busted due to smelling like smoke

If they smell the smoke on your clothes then they'll smell your scent too. If you can hunt facing the wind.

Yep, hunt the wind, either smoke or soap... They will still smell you!

You’re over thinking it

Go enjoy everything, if you get busted you get busted. Part of it

I think deer are semi used to smoke smell anyway, be it campfires, fire places from nearby homes, etc. It still masks your human scent.

All the old timers I know used to wake up in the mornin & throw a few little green cedar branches in the fire & stand in the smoke. Said it helped cover their human scent. They always seemed to do alright.

A good cigar will cover that campfire smoke right up.

I take a shower before most hunts and don't wear my hunting clothes around the fire.

Yep overthinking it.

Try to play the wind and just hunt.

Or wear only scentlok clothing you keep in a separate bin, shower ever morning, use all kinds of sprays, ozonics, etc., etc. if you’re really concerned. Probably won’t matter but may make you feel better. Plus, good for the economy.

I appreciate all the info guys! Sounds like I’ll just enjoy the camp fire time and if I bag a deer then great, and if i don’t, well then there’s always next time!

Best cover scent you can have, I love smoke on my clothes, just not smoked sausage maybe.

if you're worry about scent ... move your blind back another 100 yds

I don't think they care ... your rifle is smellier than wood smoke

Yes, nailed it!

Throw some cologne on to cover it.

Smoke actually has some antibacterial properties. I bathe in it.

Most deer I’ve ever seen was when dad was smoking a cigarette

X2...just have fun and enjoy all the aspects of hunting which includes sitting
around a campfire. Here is the new one that my grandsons made. We enjoy siting
around it at night and then hunting in the mornings.