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In the 4 days I hunted so far for mule deer, elevations at 5000' and above there was no smoke and no deer or much sign of deer either. We went lower near the creeks and rivers with a ton of smoke and finally found some deer. Saw 7 does and a little 2 pt is all though. I believe the air quality was hovering around 260. Relief is on the way shortly though.
Rain starts tomorrow and it shouldn't be a problem anymore. I remember hunting on Mt Adams the year of the Cold Spring fire on the south side. The woods were red from the sun coming through the smoke. We saw a few animals. I don't believe they think much of it. I've had a cow downwind of me while I was smoking a cigar. She just kept walking. Smoke is a pretty natural smell in the woods.
Same as us, they deal with it.
In the haze, poor air that we have now, basically they ignore it as far as I know. In previous September’s when hunting and fires were putting out heavy fresh, I noted they all headed for creeks and green lush, and pulled completely off the ridges. I anecdotally figured it was a survival mechanism . (Deer). I’m not sure what air conditions you are having. SeconD hand smoke or real deal
I’d really look towards waterways or lush, if that’s even possible in the thick over there. Like pman said, rains a coming. That’ll change everything.
I have watched quite a few deer in super heavy smoke this year. They don't seem bothered one bit by it. They don't seem to really care about helicopters either. They still manage to smell humans in it though.
