I started reading an outdoor magazine (thought it was Field and Stream), the magazine had survival stories of a guy attacked by a bear, another attacked by a shark... Anyway, one story talked about a deer's daytime vision was about 20/40, and even though it has a 270 degree field of view, if you approach low, slow, don't make eye contact and think about happy stuff (suggested thinking about The Sound of Music), you can get within 20' of deer without spooking them. Other than reading the same article, has anyone else heard of this? Personally, I find it hard to believe.
I haven't ever heard of that but getting close to a deer is so cool! I was out hiking one day and came across a few deer that were busy eating. Over about 40 minutes time I was able to get within 3 feet of a doe with a few others in the distance watching. I had probably a dozen people 40-50 yards away watching all of this also. It was the coolest thing!
I went to a seminar at the WI deer and turkey expo this year where a guy talked extensively about doing this to hunt. I can't remember his name, but his presentation and book were titled "Dominance is everything". He said that the deer might not bolt out of there is you are doing what you stated above to approach them. He also said that the deer will most likely communicate by "blowing" to see what you are. He told everyone in the audience to "blow" back at them.
The only thing I can see that might be good about 'blowing' back at a deer is clearing your sinuses LOL!!! But then you would have to continue your hunt with snot all over your camo :D J/K. I've had em blow at me on way to stand before and 'blown' back at them. I did this back and forth with a little buck last year for about 10 minutes. He would stomp and blow and back off about 20 feet, then I would blow and he would come forward again. I was only standing about 25 ft from him at one point in an open hay field only lit by moonlight. It was a very cool experience.
I have never heard that about their eyesight. I guess it could be possible as long as you can get past their sense of smell.
They said even if they smell you, as long as you avoid eye contact, move slowly and think happy thoughts you'll succeed.
When I was working as an Air Force Game Warden in Guam, we were putting on a special hunt on the base and there was a group of does out in the middle of a field with zero cover except for one big rock. I challenged a couple of the hunters that I could stalk within bow range and kill one of them. I cut a limb off a coconut tree, balanced my bow on my back and crawled on my hands and knees about 250 yards while holding the limb in front of me. My friends watched the whole thing and absolutely could not believe the group of deer let me get that close. I got within three yards of one small doe and passed on her then finally heart shot another at about 15 yards. I have used the same limb trick several times to stalk deer in open fields. It works if you have the wind in your favor. I have not tried it without the wind in my face.
I think scent is king, cause a deer doesn't need more reassurance if his nose smells something, but he might investigate if he just see's or hears it. But I have read that deer key in on the predatory stare, not so much the object. I guess they know when something is looking at them like food? I have had friends touch deer from the other side of a tree, but it is more about knowing where the deer is going and waiting than moving yourself. I think it's about the attitude of the stalk, prey in africa will walk around lions that are lying down resting, but know when the lions have changed to hunt mode and make space. Maybe same thing to the happy thoughts?
I have been close to deer where they do not know that I am there thousands of time. Even been able to reach out and touch them if I wanted to. Some of this is true but the eye contact thing. I have made eye contact many times and not have the deer spook. If they look at you and notice something out of place then nthey continue to look at you until satisfied you are no threat but move or make a sound and the game is over. Just making eye contact is not a big deal unless another sense triggers something.
I had a ton of eye contact with that deer I was within arms reach. Didn't seem to be bothered by it at all. Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2
The shortest distance that I've ever been to a Deer other then in a blind or tree stand (or after a kill) is playing Golf..there is a course outside of Baltimore (Pine Ridge) that is loaded with Deer and they are so used to people that they will get 5-10 ft away if not closer at the Tee Boxes or around the Greens or even in the fairways....it's an awesome site to behold...they aren't spooked at all or threatened !!!!!! in the least way
We have deer at the lake house thats in a state park they have never been hunted there,They will walk right up to you when you are sitting in the yard and eat bird seed right out of your hand but if you move to fast or stand up they will run 20-30 yards and watch you for a while then settle down... Tame or domesticated you pick just not the same animal in heavily hunted ground. One of my farmer friends that deer see every day on his farm in the same old truck and tractor and he is always wearing his old coveralls that smell of diesel fuel and cow sh!t can literally walk out and kill a deer in ten minutes with his gun,and some fine bucks to boot. but clean him up and put camo on him and a bow in his hand and it will take him all season to get one. call it sixth sense or attitude in which a hunter takes on, deer know whats up!
I don't beleive you can stalk a whitetail if the wind is not in your favor. The article would lose all credibility with me when it mentioned that wind did not matter.
I was able to pet a fawn before for a good 10minutes that was eating my dads garden. Then its mother showed up and started throwing a fit and i backed off.
