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How well can deer see in the dark...??

K

Kat

Guest
If it’s dark out and you are walking on the edge of a field but alongside a backdrop that’s about the same shades as your camo i.e. the woods or a terrace, and if you changed your gait to sound like a critter, would deer that were 40 - 80+ yards away be able to tell what you were? One hot spot I want to set up in has no entry or exit other than the field. How well can deer really see in the dark??
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They can see real good, alot better than us. I wouldn't worry about strolling through in the early mornings or late evenings. They have a good idea that your not a deer but if they don't wind ya or you don't almost step on them, you should be fine with your kat like approach.
 
On one property I use to hunt, I had to cross a grass field to get to the stand - I had no choice. Regularly there were deer in the field, but if I took a couple precautions they didn't seem to mind.
1. Keep as much distance between you and the deer.
2. don't walk directly towards them.
3. Keep a steady pace - the minute you slow down noticably, or stop, the deer will generally bust.
4. Bend over and lower your profile.

I use to do this and rarely had deer spook. They would watch me, but as long as they were comfortable I was simply gonna pass by they didn't seem to care. On one particular November night, I was walking out and noticed a shadow approaching me. I stopped and the shadow circled at about 15 yards. I finally turned on my flashlight and it was a 140" buck giving me the "hard look". He either wanted to make me his girlfreind or kick my butt - after a litte talking to he got the idea and left - but he didn't go far and none of the other deer spooked.

Good - luck
 
Kat,

They will definetly SEE you...their eyes are designed primarily for low-light vision and are actually BETTER at night than during the day.

I'd suggest either going in REAL early to give any deer that do spook time to settle down before shooting light, or better yet if the situation allows it...wait until the deer move OFF the field and sneak in right at daybreak.

I regularly do this and still find I can intercept those that are still feeding along thru the woods w/o them ever seeing me cross the field, as well as being able to still possibly get a shot at (or avoid) anything I might see on the way to my stand. It kinda turns the advantage slightly back towards me.

Either way it's always best not to risk disturbing the feeding area too much or you may ruin the spot for the rest of the season. Just my $.02 worth.

Good Luck,

>>--Ron--<>
 
Good points from all above. Deer's eyes have rod cells that enable them to see excellant in the dark and detect movement. The important thing is to not act like a predator when deer see you (don't stop or look at them). I have a doe and her fawns visit my yard often and as long as I pretend I don't see them, they don't run. Perhaps you could gain permission to enter your stand from a different way other than the open field? Entry/Exit routes are always fun to figure out.

OZ
 
Kat,

Like said above they can definatly see well at night, BUT normally I think they feel safer after dark and are not quite as "ready to bolt" My advice from my expirience is to walk directly to or from your stand at a steady pace, no stopping to look around. Almost make it like you know you are being watched. Just go. I have to cross an open field to get to my favorie stand, I have seen countless deer on the way in and out and even killed a few of them. I have found that if you hesitate your stride, they become extremely alert. Its kinda hard to explain, but I have walked out within 40 yards or less over the years of several deer at once without spooking them. They watched my every step and stayed frozen the whole time, but I didnt stop to observe. Curiosity I think will sometimes get the best of them.

Sometimes a face off is unavoidable in a situation like crossing an open field, just try to be as natural, and preoccupied (if that makes any scence) as you can. I have tried the bent over approach, and get busted everytime. Its not natural.

This is just from my expirience, I do alot of hunting 5 - 6 days a week during bow season. So take it from there.

Pat
 
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