mdunc8
Well-known member
How many of you guys build a little fire midday while you're hunting in colder conditions? I haven't needed to do it yet, but was wondering if anyone has had an animal bust them because of it.
Fires while hunting
- Thread starter mdunc8
- Start date
Big O
Member
I've only done it a few times. I think for it depends on how and where I'm hunting. The spots I did it I was elk hunting watching a massive hillside in late Nov., got just too cold. I was seeing lots of elk so I had to tough it out. Helped me make it through the day for sure. Right spot right time, I'd do it again in a minute.
I've done this quite often...I've had quite a few animals (both deer and elk) come out while I was sitting by a fire some have walked within a few yards of me (to their and my surprise). I've also spotted quite a few animals while sitting by a fire warming up.
drahthaar
Active member
Fire and smoke is a natural smell in their environment, I can't see where its caused any stress and far as blowing animals out of a basin. Three years ago opening weekend of archery, it got cold, rained and snowed the night we stayed out. We had a fire, a big fire, trying to dry stuff out. That night, with the fire still burning, two bulls bugled their way to within, I am guessing, 50 yards of 4 of us laid out on the ground next to the fire. Got up the next day and were into elk all over.
Done it once... and I got a cow elk shortly after within 1/2 mile of my warming location. Luck? maybe... I also am a bit conerned over having a fire in / around a honey hole area. I believe I would be selective in my choice of fire / no fire... I want to believe what Draht and Mattk state as the reality... and in my one occasion it panned out as related by them... Still, it is a tough call for me.
Calvin
New member
I do it all the time if I'm hunting out of the boat. A fire on the beach with some food is all part of the experience.
Hem
Well-known member
There has only been a couple of times i've started fires.Just happenened to coincide with times when I REALLY felt like "today i'm so cold,I fear I truly could die if not careful".Its only happened twice in twenty five years of sneaking around the Montana Rockies during winter months.
Gunner46
Well-known member
Build a fire, stay warm, Live to hunt another day ! I've had to do it 4-5 times. Not so much from cold, but to stop Hypothermia when someone, me, got too wet. I've never noticed any adverse behavior form game in the area. If a 'Yote will walk right on in, so will Big Game.....
I build a fire every chance I get. Why be cold? 'sides I'll burn my trash at the same time. Went up bou hunting one year while a big forest fire was going on (hunting ust go on, even the firefighters were wishing everybody luck) and you would see bou just hanging around the burn areas. Didnt bother them one bit from what I saw. Like what was said, its natural.
Lawnboy
Well-known member
I love building fires. I do it all the time. I'm with Draht, I don't think that the animals are at all that freaked out by the smell. If anything it masks human scent. I remember a few years ago we had so many forest fires that you couldn't see the mountains from town. The smoke was horrible. Bow hunting that year I got to thinking that my fires during archery are nothing compared to the thick smoke we were hunting in.
It's a great way to pass the time while your waiting for the evening hunt and then before bed. I usually pack something I can cook on it so that I have something warm to eat.
I went out with Crittergitter this year in the deep snow. After post holing for 4 hours we decided to eat lunch. I told him I was going to build a fire because we were going to chill for an hour or so. He was game for it. Well we got one going and I broke out the package of little smokies. I think he thought I was nuts for packing them.
Man they tasted good compared to my cold sandwich I had packed. We sharpened some sticks and roasted those buggers until we were full. The fire and smoke didn't seem to bother the wolves that were howling 500 yds away Sometimes hunting for me is more about enjoying the time out, and fires and food are right up my alley. I'll do the same thing with a can of chunky soup. Good stuff
It's a great way to pass the time while your waiting for the evening hunt and then before bed. I usually pack something I can cook on it so that I have something warm to eat.
I went out with Crittergitter this year in the deep snow. After post holing for 4 hours we decided to eat lunch. I told him I was going to build a fire because we were going to chill for an hour or so. He was game for it. Well we got one going and I broke out the package of little smokies. I think he thought I was nuts for packing them.
Man they tasted good compared to my cold sandwich I had packed. We sharpened some sticks and roasted those buggers until we were full. The fire and smoke didn't seem to bother the wolves that were howling 500 yds away Sometimes hunting for me is more about enjoying the time out, and fires and food are right up my alley. I'll do the same thing with a can of chunky soup. Good stuffBuzzH
Well-known member
Animals dont pay much, if any, attention to fires. I build fires all the time while hunting. My brother and I had a fire going this year and watched several bull elk for about 2 hours before I decided to go shoot one. The fire never made a difference to the elk.
Great to hear from those here... Kinda puts a "myth" to rest... I have wanted to have a small fire many times though always felt it would hinder my intent "hunt for success"...
Great thread topic Mdunc! Glad you brought it up. Hope to read others chiming in on this subject.
Great thread topic Mdunc! Glad you brought it up. Hope to read others chiming in on this subject.
thecrittergitter
Well-known member
I love having fires, you just can't beat sitting around a fire resting in the day surrounded by snow.
The only smell from a fire that the elk prolly don't like is when you stand too close with your wool pants That i'm sure is an unnatural smell to them.
The only smell from a fire that the elk prolly don't like is when you stand too close with your wool pants
That i'm sure is an unnatural smell to them.
Devil Diver Down
Well-known member
Same here. I usually bring a change of clothes (when car camping) to use around the fire. If I'm backpacking, I just forego the fire as I'm usually too bushed after eating my freeze dried to enjoy one and I always worried about the smell of smoke.
Makes perfect sense what others are saying about it, though. Glad I read the thread!
BuzzH
Well-known member
If animals were afraid of smoke...they'd be hosed in a bad fire year.
There is open burning seasons going on throughout the West during most hunting seasons, slash piles are typically burned in the early fall, prescribed fires in the fall, people burning wood stoves, etc. etc. etc.
Fire is nothing out of the ordinary for an elk, deer, or any other animal.
There is open burning seasons going on throughout the West during most hunting seasons, slash piles are typically burned in the early fall, prescribed fires in the fall, people burning wood stoves, etc. etc. etc.
Fire is nothing out of the ordinary for an elk, deer, or any other animal.
idnative1948
Well-known member
Brother and I usually get up about 4:30, start the fire, get coffee on, start rousting everybody else about 5:30 for a big breakfast, have the morning planning, pack lunches and head out so we can get where we want to be come daylight. Come 11:30-1:00 we are back to camp, most times with deer,but some not (as in 2010).
Have debrief, brunch, wash dishes, plan for evening hunt. Not for a lot of you all but how we have always done it since growing up. Evening hunts have turned into hauling meat until 1-2 am. Different strokes for different folks. If you are ever cold and hunger come find us......
Have debrief, brunch, wash dishes, plan for evening hunt. Not for a lot of you all but how we have always done it since growing up. Evening hunts have turned into hauling meat until 1-2 am. Different strokes for different folks. If you are ever cold and hunger come find us......
sweetnectar
New member
I'm sure any elk can smell coffee, little smokies, or whatever it is your cooking over the natural smoke smell. The question is do they freak out over it? My guess is if it smells like mountain lion, bear, canine, or human gas the elk will likely freak. But if it smells like cow in heat, elk wizz, wheat, or natural smoke your likely just fine.
Big luke1981
Member
I don't think fires bother the animals at all unless you are burning something foreign.
I have only had a couple fires while hunting here in WA. the last one was on the last day of our general rifle elk season a few years back. After sitting around a fire and watching a clearcut, a small herd came over the hill and the last was a spike. They did not care about the fire at all, they came straight down the hill towards us untill they were in range. I think that if I had not shot the spike and busted up the group they would have walked within about 25 to 50 Yards of our fire.
I have only had a couple fires while hunting here in WA. the last one was on the last day of our general rifle elk season a few years back. After sitting around a fire and watching a clearcut, a small herd came over the hill and the last was a spike. They did not care about the fire at all, they came straight down the hill towards us untill they were in range. I think that if I had not shot the spike and busted up the group they would have walked within about 25 to 50 Yards of our fire.
Lawnboy
Well-known member
Look if you don't have the wind in your favor your screwed anyway. I don't care if you just ate a tuna sandwich or your chewing "gumoflauge" and spraying yourself down with ever product made. Just as well enjoy your time out and try to get the wind to cooperate.
I've had the same experience as others at our elk camp. We have been eating our cans of soup around the fire at night and had elk rip bugles at under 80 yds. as they walked by. They obviously could see and smell the fire and I'm sure they heard us talking. Does that mean they are tame? no because it's still harder than heck to get one the next day.
In high school I hunted with people that would get mad when you had to take a leak. Come on dude I'm not going to wear a catheter bag or depends just because your so paranoid that my pee might spook an elk To each his own. You go Rambo!
I've had the same experience as others at our elk camp. We have been eating our cans of soup around the fire at night and had elk rip bugles at under 80 yds. as they walked by. They obviously could see and smell the fire and I'm sure they heard us talking. Does that mean they are tame? no because it's still harder than heck to get one the next day.
In high school I hunted with people that would get mad when you had to take a leak. Come on dude I'm not going to wear a catheter bag or depends just because your so paranoid that my pee might spook an elk
To each his own. You go Rambo!Similar threads
