Trad Gang

I did a search and didn't come up with much so, I am wondering if anyone on here smokes a pipe during hunting season. I know all about staying down wind and all but, I read a post that a member did, stating that he lit up a pipe and the deer came in curious to the sweet smell of the tobacco. It also stated on the thread that Dr. Ashby smokes one all the time.

Anyone else have similar experiences?

i used to many years ago as far as i can recall it did not seem to bother em at all.

Always heard deer were attracted to the smell of tobacco....Phil

I used to smoke the pipe tobacco cigars called Black and Mild while bowhunting with the other bow, one shot while it was in my mouth cured that real quick.

But I don't smoke any more now.

to break up boredom on long hunts I smoke my pipe.  The tobacco is sweet and it also is a good hand warmer fix.... never noticed if it hurt hunting though......

I sometimes do. Usually its reserved for after a kill.

I periodically partake in the "Brotherhood of the Holy Smoke" and sometimes love to sit around a campfire at night with my pipe and unwind. I was just wondering if deer actually are drawn to the sweet smell of tobacco?

I am very happy I gave it up about 11 years ago.  Don't miss it.  Never did smoke bow hunting.  Fire and the wood didn't seem to be a good idea.  I did when fishing and waterfowling.

I don't smoke anymore, and never did smoke a pipe, but just have to share this story on my dad. He was a trad guy from back in the "before the wheels" days. Anyway, he was hunting in the Land Between the Lakes back in the  early seventies or so, sitting in his ground blind waiting for a deer to walk by- puffing on his pipe when he spies a doe heading his way. As I remember the story, he got into shooting position, and when the deer got to the opening, he drew and released. He said that the arrow didn't go very far, about as far as the pipe did. He said that he had to feel with his hand to tell if his front teeth were where they were supposed to be.   :biglaugh:   He hadn't thought a thing about taking the pipe out of his mouth before the shot.
I still just about laugh out loud every time I think of that story! I sure do miss him.

I can imagine it smarted some when the lip of the pipe stem caught his teeth before flying out of his mouth!   :D

wannabe : care to elaborate your holy smoke blend in a pm?

i rock a cob pipe when fishing. havent hunted yet , but i might stick with a backwoods cigar , and call it a day...


-hov

I use the Borkum Riff Cherry Cavendish but, I'm about to try a blend from a fellow Trad Ganger of his own making. I'll send ya a PM on my thoughts once it gets here and I try it out.   :thumbsup:

There's plenty of 'earthy' fellas smoking a pipe around MT campfires...weed is legal here in MT if you've got the right aches and pains.  It' probably not too far off to find out if our urban deer like the stuff.  Amusing.

I'm not a smoker but I remember my Dad's pipe filled with Captain Black when I was little. Smelled awesome.
Anyway, I hunted with a spring black bear guide in Quebec (black fly capital of the world). He smoked a pipe constantly saying it was the best black fly deterrent there was. The guy could walk up on a blackie from upwind. (exaggerating but you get the point) Personally it smells great when its smoldering, but when it goes out or the breath that comes after it has me running for the hills. Can't imagine how intense that must smell to a bear.

I have read the numerous other posts on using wood smoke to help eliminate human scent. I often wondered if the animals would be effected by pipe smoke while Trad Archery hunting. (Keeping this topic trad archery related)    :D  

Seems smoke is smoke regardless of the flavor to me.    :rolleyes:

Yornoc: Your last line gives reason for contemplation.   :thumbsup:

i once had an "old timer" (who, at the time, was younger than I am now) tell me, "son, if that deer can smell your pipe smoke he can smell you.  And, of the two, you would scare him the most."

Bill

I never smoke while hunting. It just seems to me that it is too unnatural to the enviroment to help any.

Back in the 60's an old timer I knew would always light up his pipe with a cherry blend. Amazing how many deer would come in to him with nose in the air.
Bob

Mr. Wannabe1,
Smoke a pipe frequently while hunting.  Never noticed it to bother Fox, Coyote, Wolf, Caribou, Moose or Grizz.  Now that I think about it, even recall Ducks, Swans and Geese landing downwind of me in the pond, within 40yds of where I was sitting; Moose hunting at the time.
Best Wishes

Thank you WindWalker, that's what I was looking for. What part is Sawmill Creek located? I lived 3yrs in Fairbanks back in the '80s. Sometimes wish I was still living up there but, the wife wouldn't go for it.  

Not while on stand but certainly back at camp as part of the relaxing and enjoying.  I'm sure I obviously smell of my tobacco (yes, cherry is part of the blend) at all times once I've been in camp a few hours.  Maybe that's why the javies liked me!


(http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/CaptainDick/7th-56.jpg)

down in Texas after taking my javelina last year...

Nice Cpt! That's how I like to vision myself when I harvest my first deer/elk.   :thumbsup:

makes a good hand warmer for cold mornings.

The big problem with smoking in general is the movement, not the smell. In my smoking days I once had to put my pipe down to shoot a deer, hunting from a tree. I wouldn't smoke while ground hunting because of the movement involved.

Mr. Wannabe1,
We are located about 125 miles east of Fairbanks.
Best Wishes

I see no harm as long as the wind is in your favor.

We use to give one of our hunting party holy hell about smoking Swishers out hunting ,but the rascall always seem to get right into game.Dumbass luck,but the smell never hurt him any worse than other stuff that will bust you.

I have seen or heard of too many deer killed AFTER someone put down their cigarette to think that they are necessarily bad things.  I WATCHED one in the process.  

A buddy and I were enjoying some stogies in the late winter woods, discussing some problems in life, and a small herd of deer, including three bucks chasing one of the does, came thru and they didn't show even the slightest concern.  

One of the smaller bucks stopped broadside at about 15 yards and looked at us sitting on the fallen log, then turned and walked away after the crowd.

Hmmm
ChuckC

I like my english blends with two drops of Tink's added.Brings them right in.I tell my hunting buddies thats why I put in awood stove so when I'm hunting out back the deer won't be skittish of my pipesmoke.Pipesmoke and the outdoors just seem to mix. Never seemed to effect deer sightings.But I would rather have the wind fairly strong to one direction.It's probably all in my head from watching to many crazy commercials on scent control!

I sometimes smoke a pipe.  Sometimes before a hunt, always after a successful hunt (offering a smoke to the deer/bear/etc.).  I have always worried about the smell, but have not had much problem with it.  As far as curiousity goes... I think it depends on the individual deer.  My first deer I shot with matchlock musket actually came in to me curious about the smell of the burning match (rope soaked in Saltpeter).

My Grandfather spent his entire life in the North Woods of Maine. I remember him saying he would never go hunting without his pipe and cherry tobacco. According to the family he was quite the hunter. They never went without.

I've never smoked on stand, but I do enjoy a bowl of 3 Noggins afterwards.  I've always liked a pipe on a cold winter morning/evening - especially when I'm walking the dogs. I do smoke it occasionally when I'm pheasant hunting though.

I like to smoke some Dunhill at camp, but I don't partake on the hunt. I just don't want to fumble around with a lit fire when an animal closes in.

I used to enjoy a pipe when small game hunting but have got out of that.  Screws up my anchor and I am afraid I'd launch the pipe and arrow.    :biglaugh:   When roving in mosquito and deerfly season it is a method to retain your sanity.

What I do occasionally enjoy is to pack in, kill a squirrel or bunny, "make camp" long enough to spit roast the game and boil a cup of water for tea and then have a pipefull.  I have been out of that habit and may have to start it up again.  One small animal can make for the best of hunts that way.

I dont smoke my pipes while actually hunting. But afterword back at camp I'll have a bowl or two out of my favorite horn Stanwell. Maybee some "shortcut to mushrooms" or some "frog morton". A bowl with some coffee in the morn is a nice way to get started as well.

You all should quit, your wife , kids and the deer will thank you

The pleasure police have arrived!

Frog Morton Klight? You must be a McClellands fan. I like it quite a bit myself.  Also like Grey Havens and Bombay Court. You really can't go wrong with that brand name. I think I'll have a bowl of Dominican Glory tonight while walking the dogs... Take care guys and enjoy a Merry Christmas the way Santa would - with a ring of pipe smoke!