leaving for bear hunting in Maine in about a week, and I'm told the biting gnats are terrible this year... I really would rather not use a greasy insect repellent, so my question is, will the bears smell the thermacell? Anyone have any experience with them?

I have been bear hunting with a Thermacell for almost 10 years now and I wouldn't be without it. Not sure if they can smell it or not but they don't seem to pay any attention to it if they do. You won't be sorry you have it with you. Sure makes the hunting more pleasant.

Good luck

I have taken deer at 15 paces with bow while Thermacell in use.
I use it anywhere there may be mosqitoes biting flies or gnats. It flat works for me.

Best

GWB

they work great, always carry one these days. If they can smell the thermacell, they can smell you too!

I know guys that have used them when hog hunting on stand and shot hogs within 10-15 yards. I'm sure that it smells better than the greasy stuff. BTW OFF makes a Deep Woods version now that is dry.

Take two Thermacells. You won't regret it.

shot 2 alberta black bears on different trips with thermocell. bug free. also use it in the swamps of north carolina for pigs and deer with a bow. It is heated so it rises. have never been busted with a bow because of the thermocell that I am aware of

My son and I shot two big hogs in GA this summer out of a ground blind over a period of a few days. There were so many bugs I wouldn't have lasted 10 minutes without the Thermacell.
I have also killed a bear in Canada while using it with no problems. Use it with confidence.