We used to hunt deer and Elk near burning slash piles for years. The smoke covers your scent nicely and the deer and Elk didn't seem to be affected by the smoke. They would come out and feed right in the smoke plum for the burning slash. Forest fire smoke seems to work the same way. We have never noticed much difference in animal movement due to smoke. I have never seen game wander around looking for less smokey areas like rivers or valleys. They seem to hang out in the same place they do at that time of year, smoke or not. If anything, the lower light seems to keep the game moving later in the morning and earlier in the evening, sort of like what you see with fog. I think in open country there is the perception of less game moving just because you can't see them 800 yards away like you can when it is clear, fog or smoke you need to be almost right on top of them.
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