Vaping and Hunting – Will It Impact Your Hunt?

by Derrick | Last Updated: April 14, 2022

The idea of hunting and vaping might seem a little strange to you, but it’s actually not all that uncommon. Vaping while hunting deer is becoming increasingly popular as more people discover how enjoyable the two activities can be together. In fact, many hunters are turning to electronic cigarettes because they offer them the chance to enjoy smoking and they think vaping is less likely to scare away the deer.

Of course, there are a few things you should keep in mind if you’re going to try vaping while hunting.

Hunting Deer With Electronic Cigarettes/Vaping – Does Vaping Scare Deer?

No, vaping itself does not scare deer in most cases. If anything movement is usually what will alert a deer to a hunter’s presence and scare them away.

It is questionable whether vaping is any less noticeable to deer than smoking cigarettes, but many hunters believe that it is. In any case, it is certainly worth a try if you enjoy both vaping and hunting and seeing if it impacts your hunt.

In this article, I will investigate the information available today and obviously give my opinion on the matter.

What Have Others Published On Vaping And Hunting?

The use of electronic cigarettes while hunting has not been studied in any great detail, but there are a few things we know that can help us make an informed decision.

1) Some Vaping Scents May Spook Deer – Do Deer Smell Vape?

There are a variety of flavors and scents available for electronic cigarettes. Some people enjoy fruity or sweet flavors, while others prefer more traditional tobacco flavors.

It is possible that certain vaping flavors may spook deer, especially if they are unfamiliar with the scent.

2) Many People Have Scored a Deer While Vaping

Despite the fact that some vaping scents may spook deer, many hunters have reported having a successful hunt while vaping which somewhat nullifies the argument against vaping while hunting.

Tips For Using Your Vape Pen During A Hunt

First, choose a vaping flavor/scent that may be something naturally occurring in the area you are in.  Some hunters have suggested an apple or cherry scent. More natural flavors may help, but as you are likely aware vape scents don’t smell exactly like the real thing.

Another thing to be aware of is most vape pens produce a red light when in use.  While this may not seem like a big deal it could be just enough to alert a deer to your presence if they catch a glimpse of it. If possible try to use a vape pen that doesn’t produce light or cover the light with something while hunting.

Vaping devices also produce a cloud of vapor, so be aware of the wind direction as the vapor isn’t clear and can potentially create a lot of movement that would be noticeable from a distance.

How Long Does Vape Smoke Stay In The Air?

This is an important factor to consider because you don’t want your deer to smell you coming from a mile away.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a ton of information available on this topic. However, one independent test found that vaping indoors resulted in vaping particles lingering in the air for up to 3 hours.

Of course, this test was conducted in a controlled environment and it’s unclear if the same would hold true in the great outdoors.

Generally speaking, outdoor scents in the air tend to dissipate more quickly than those in a closed space. So it’s possible that the smell of your vape pen wouldn’t carry as far or linger as long in the open air.

But this is just speculation. Until more research is done, it’s best to err on the side of caution and assume that your vape smoke will hang around for some time.

In a best-case scenario, the vape smoke and associated sent will travel in the same direction as the wind.  If you set up your hunting position upwind of where you think the deer will be coming from then this may not be such a large problem.

Some Common Questions

What Are The Best Vape Scents For Hunting?

People have reported natural scents like apple, cherry, and vanilla work well and don’t seem to spook deer.

What Is The Best Vape Pen For Hunting?

There isn’t really a definitive answer, but many people recommend pens that don’t produce light and have a smaller vapor output. But this is totally up to personal preference.

Can You Vape In A Tree Stand?

Yes, but be aware of the wind direction as you don’t want the deer smelling you coming from a mile away.

Can You Vape While Bow Hunting?

Yes, but you need to be more aware of this than during rifle hunting because the deer need to get into a much closer range when hunting with a bow.

Implications Of Vaping

Vaping is a personal choice and it isn’t my place to tell you what to do or when to do it, but as more of a disclaimer due to the society we live in today I want you to consider the implications of vaping.

Vaping can cause physical health issues such as popcorn lung, which is the common name for bronchiolitis obliterans. This is a serious and irreversible lung condition caused by inhaling the chemicals used in e-cigarettes.

Vaping e-liquids expose the user to harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, heavy metals like lead and nickel, and flavorings with diacetyl which have all been linked to serious health issues.

There are other health risks associated with vaping as well, including an increased risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

So while I can’t tell you not to vape while hunting, I hope you weigh the risks and make an informed personal decision.

Wrapping Up

Hunting deer with electronic cigarettes is becoming increasingly popular as more people discover how enjoyable the two activities can be together. While there are a few things you should keep in mind if you’re going to try vaping while hunting, hopefully, the tips we’ve compiled will help make sure your experience is a positive one.