Smokers?

[captkb]

How many of you predator hunters smoke while out hunting? Does cigarette smoke bother coyotes or other varmints? In my opinion I think it does but I can't convience one of the guys I hunt with that it does - he probably smokes 3 packs a day and while we are out hunting it seems to be more than that. Opinions and suggestions are appreciated.

[Hooter]

Having never smoked in my life, I can smell cigarette smoke from a long way myself. I can just imagine how far a coyote can smell cigarette smoke. No offense to any smokers out there!

Hooter

[GonHuntin]

" Does cigarette smoke bother coyotes or other varmints?"

;D Don't know if the Surgeon General has studied the effects of cigarette use by coyotes.......probably would give 'em cancer though! ;D

Seriously, common sense says it is an un-natural smell and, as such, should "bother" them.......I can't say one way or the other......I am so allergic to smoke that it makes me sick to be around it even for a minute or two........so, I don't hunt with anyone that smokes..... nothing like a throbbing headache and nausea to ruin a hunt right now!

[Byron South]

Captkb,

I'm sure it doesn't help, but I'm of the opinion if you let them get downwind your toast anyway. This probably won't help your argument either, but I've hunted with Jay Nissteter and he smokes sometimes on stand. He a also blows a rhino call, and is not a mere mortal like us ;D. Tell him I said get rid of them nasty cigarettes, and get him some Copenhagen (breakfast of champions).

Good Hunting

Byron ;D

[partsman66]

I agree with Byron.If they are able to get downwind you'll have trouble anyway smoking or not.I quit smoking about a year ago.I smoked for about 15 yrs.I never really smoked while coyote hunting just for the simple fact that coyote hunting is quick.I always figured I could make a 30 minute stand without smoking.I did use to smoke while deer hunting though and I just don't know if it made any difference or not.I have shot deer where I had to set my cigarette down to pull the trigger.I always convinced myself that yes they could smell the smoke but I just didn't think they associated the smell with humans.But now I think it's probably best to get every odd you can going your way.And for all the guys trying to quit just keep trying.This is the hardest thing I've ever tried to do.It's been a year and they still smell good to me.I quit so that I might get a few more years of coyote killing in before I go.LOL

[shiner]

My first post so exscuse me if I'm rough on the "etiquette" side. But being a smoker I felt I needed to chime in. My experience is mostly with deer, but I know that if I smoked on stand, then they winded me alot quicker and would generally stand outside sight distance
(Thick hill country TX cedar) and "bark" at me. I would generally never smoke on stand, if I did it would be in open territory where I knew the wind situation rather than in the woods where the wind tends to swirl a bit. Can't imagine a yote being less alert than a deer to odd smells. My advice is to smoke a few, get yer nicotine then leave them in camp and look forward to that first puff when ya get back....

[Byron South]

Welcome to the board Shiner. Don't have to worry about ediquite around here . Glad to have you with us.

Byron ;D

[SteveCraig]

I always try to smoke on stands........
Of course, it is usualyy coming from my gun barrel!! HeHe
Steve

[Byron South]

Welcome to TPP Steve. Call any big cats lately?

Good Hunting

Byron

[Bobcat]

Hey Steve,

Where have you been hiding?

Up on a mesa no doubt, with your WT and fawn decoy!

Good Hunting,

Bob

[SteveCraig]

Byron,
Thanks, and yes I have called a few cats this year. Lately, through its been guiding hunters to all these love sick coyotes. About as busy as you!

Howdy Bob,
I been lurking here and there. Called in 16 coyotes in 3 days for a client the other day. Last week, was hard pressed to get a half dozen in 4 days. Did call in 2 bobcats and a young lion that backdoored us on a bobcat stand. Clients are happy, I'm happy, and I'm off for a few days just resting up. Talk to you later,
Steve

[Bobcat]

Hey Steve,

Keep at 'em brother!!

Good Hunting,

Bob

[Okie Newton]

I smoke a pipe while in camp. I never take it in the woods. Even while in camp I try to stay downwind of other hunters. Some have complained in the past about the smoke but they will stand right by a campfire and get their clothes saturated by the smoke from the smell of the fire.

[BobR]

I hardly ever wear camo and NEVER wear cover scent.
I ALWAYS smell like an ashtray. I am not a coyote hunter, but on 7 coyote stands this year I shot 5 coyotes. Let a bear get downwind of you and it doesn't matter what you smell like or what you poured all over yourself. Cat's don't pay any attention to your scent.
I always smoke a cigarette at the end of a cat stand.
In September 2002, Gary Strader and I were on a night calling stand. After 45 minutes to an hour, I quit calling. We were in the back of Gary's flatbed truck. I stepped on the valvestem of his spare tire. All the air BLEW out of the tire. It startled me, and we laughed about it. I told Gary I was gonna smoke a cigarette and then make a final scan with the light. He opened the door to his dog kennel and was messing with his Dorn dog, Toby. I finished my cigarette and stood up to make a final scan with the light, and there was a small cougar standing just uphill a ways looking at us. The cat ducked down behind some brush, but we could still see the glare of its eyes. I elevated the light and resumed calling. A couple of minutes later, there was a LOUD eerie howl from just downwind of us. Gary whispered in my ear, that was no coyote, it was a wolf. I moved the light to our downwind and we saw nothing. The wolf was leaving the area and howled twice more, each time farther away. Then I went back to the cat, it was gone.
Smoking doesn't matter one iota.
Bob

[BradH]

Bob R
That sounds like the same Gary Strader who's doing trapping work for the Government here. From what he told me, Toby is one hell of a coyote dog. Seems like everyone knows him.

Brad