Camp fire or not in the back country?

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Mazz Hunter

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Nov 13, 2013
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I'm planning a back country hunt this coming archery elk season here in CO. Allot of good info shared in this Backcountry part of the forum!!!!

I'm looking for onions on camp fires in the backcountry or not? The reason I wouldn't is if it effects the elk. Smoke scent on you and your gear? I know you still need to be aware of the wind ....and what is worse....3 day human smell or smoke?

If they smell it from a distance will they leave the area?

Thanks in advance...
 
NDHunter

NDHunter

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Feb 25, 2011
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I've seen this type of thread before and most guys said they don't worry too much about building a fire. When I hunted MT 2 years ago, the forest service was doing some burning so in that case, there was smoke in the air everyday and it wouldn't have made a difference if you started one too. Maybe if you're camping very close to where you plan on hunting, then maybe I'd think twice about it. Hopefully others will have some thoughts.
 
ivorytip

ivorytip

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Mar 24, 2012
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there will be so many different responses to this, I personally do not feel it bothers the elk or deer. I've never had an issue with it. however, make sure you check to make sure you can have a fire in the county you will be in in that time frame, dependent on dry conditions. I love me a good fire while I'm camping. if at base camp, if time permitting, I will always have a fire at night. if I'm in a spike camp that I set up 400 yds. from where I put some elk to sleep, I will not make a fire. as far as them leaving an area because they smell smoke, I say no. a fire can be a mans best friend in the dark hours. with comfort also comes some confidence, on the flip side.... uncomfortable conditions might even build more confidence. with confidence comes success.
 
ivorytip

ivorytip

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my hell Gr8... now I'm craving grilled onions cooked over the tent stove! taters and onions.... boy oh boy.
 
JimP

JimP

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Mar 28, 2016
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Wood smoke is a natural occurring smell for the deer and elk and I wouldn't worry about it at all. I have actually seen deer come into a fire just to investigate what it is that is making that smell.

It would also be a good way to cover up your BO. Just hang your clothing over a smoky fire before you wear it.
 
B

Brianh

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Jan 1, 2013
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Rhinelander, WI
No fires unless I'm freezing my onions off, LOL. I'm a whitetail hunter at heart, and try to be as scentless as possible. You just never know how a critter is going to respond to any smell. My hunting buddy would kill me if I ate onions or garlic.
 
Gr8bawana

Gr8bawana

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Aug 14, 2014
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I think all animals know what smoke smells like whether it's from campfires or wildfires so it's not like they are going to leave the county if the smell smoke while you are hunting.
Now the smell of a stinky human is a whole other matter.
 
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S

shootbrownelk

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Apr 11, 2011
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Wyoming
Brianh said:
No fires unless I'm freezing my onions off, LOL. I'm a whitetail hunter at heart, and try to be as scentless as possible. You just never know how a critter is going to respond to any smell. My hunting buddy would kill me if I ate onions or garlic.
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If my hunting buddies thought that way about onions or garlic there'd be a hell of a fight in camp.
 
ElkTrout

ElkTrout

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Feb 2, 2012
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It is my opinion that the smell of smoke doesn't bother the elk and deer! I would definitely rather smell like smoke vs. BO. Just make sure you completely extinguish your fire if you have one. I came across an abandoned camp this year while hunting. The fire was smoldering and had started a small fire outside the pit! Me and my buddy put it out by throwing dirt on it. Glad we found it when we did, cause with all that beetle kill in our area, it was a matter of time before the mountain went up in flames!!


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kidoggy

kidoggy

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Apr 23, 2016
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ElkTrout said:
It is my opinion that the smell of smoke doesn't bother the elk and deer! I would definitely rather smell like smoke vs. BO. Just make sure you completely extinguish your fire if you have one. I came across an abandoned camp this year while hunting. The fire was smoldering and had started a small fire outside the pit! Me and my buddy put it out by throwing dirt on it. Glad we found it when we did, cause with all that beetle kill in our area, it was a matter of time before the mountain went up in flames!!


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yeah, I've noticed a lot of people do that.I don't like a fire when I hunt, I do when I camp. when hunting, I GENERALLY LEAVE CAMP BEFORE LIGHT and return after dark. ain't got time to drink and stare at a fire. when I get back ,I sleep and do it agin. now , once an animal is killed and if a member of hunt wants to stick around and tend fire, I'VE GOT NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.
 
W

WY ME

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Feb 4, 2014
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I think most elk outfitters start campfires in the middle of the day in the middle of elk country to warm up their clients. I wouldn't worry about it.
 
S

SwanSlayer

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Oct 6, 2016
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Loveland, CO
kidoggy said:
yeah, I've noticed a lot of people do that.I don't like a fire when I hunt, I do when I camp. when hunting, I GENERALLY LEAVE CAMP BEFORE LIGHT and return after dark. ain't got time to drink and stare at a fire. when I get back ,I sleep and do it agin. now , once an animal is killed and if a member of hunt wants to stick around and tend fire, I'VE GOT NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.
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I'll add to what ElkTrout said.... What was additionally annoying was they were starting a fire every place they would stop to glass or to sit for the morning, mid-morning, etc... I get the need to warm-up or to stay warm, but the days were in the mid 40's/50's and unseasonable warm. Pretty ridiculous to be so irresponsible!
 
kidoggy

kidoggy

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YEAH ME AND THE DEER I shot durn near got burned up in a fire ,that started that way , bout ten years ago. I killed a deer was gutting it . noticed draw I WAS IN FILLING UP WITH SMOKE . so ,I took the front half tied it in a tree . and got the hell outa there with the hind quarter .went through a game check on way home and told them what happened and I would go back next day after fire had passed. for front half. he just gave me his # and told me to call when I got back and let him know how it went.
turned out fire went across top of ridge but never dropped into draw where deer was . lucky ! it passed a mere 200 yards form where I hung my deer.


turned out ok but that is a spooky feeling , knowing the fire is coming and not exactly sure the route you should take to get outa the way.
all cause some dummy couldn't tend to his fire. far as I know they never caught him either.
 
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Jrod

Jrod

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Jan 30, 2012
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Livermore, CA
Smoke will keep the skeeters at bay as well, theoretically.
If you are doing it right there wont be time for a fire; just hunt, eat, sleep
 
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