last i knew the smoke dissipates, it just doesnt linger and sit there the wholee time, and no, i dont think it alerts them in any way, but thats my general opinion. we can argue about it till the cows come home. I have smoked in the stand for nearly 12 years, and never not seen a deer split because of it. Call me crazy, call me silly, but it dont matter. As a matter of fact, i posted a reply back in late oct, early november about passing on an 8 point because of safety issues, and i was smoking then, and he paid no nevermind to it.