I can't say that smelling has helped me bag an animal in Africa or at home for that sake, but I will say that smell has often helped make me aware of their presence, regardless of if I've subsequently shot the animal or not.

I had the bad habit of smoking cigarettes some years ago, and can also say that smoking definatly affects the ability to smell. I noticed a huge increase in how sensitive my nose became once I quite, and have since then noticed smells when out hunting that I didn't back when I smoked. One thing is intense smells like elephant, which a noseless person would have a hard time not smelling, but I now often smell the faint scent of moose (not in rut!) or other animals at home too, which are not as obvious.

So I would say that there is indeed still a bit of primitive man hidden inside us. And maybe it will help me get an animal one day!