I have had mature bucks leave or change routes do to too much traffic or altering their area. I have had increased traffic from ATVs or hunters alter a bucks routine many times. They don’t move far but it can be enough where a planned ambush point is now useless or into bush too thick to hunt. This can be for a short period or till the end of the season
If you are hunting deer in open areas this can be less of a issue but if you are hunting tight bush that a buck choosing a trail 20-50yards away can mean you don’t see him at all.
In my opinion it’s less about scent and more about them noticing changes to their area or noticing you/people in general. When you travel the same trail over and over you alter it more then hooved animals. Also just because you didn’t see them or they did not bust running doesn’t mean they didn’t watch you without you knowing. A lot of deer will freeze and hide in hopes the threat passes
I am not crazy about scent I **** out of my stand, and took many animals smoking cigars before I gave up the habit but they do notice heavy traffic
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