Eye contact w/ deer

[Peter Smith]

Yep staring contest usually end in an empty game pole. I normally wear glasses, and have found that the transitional lenses hide my eyes from deer nicely. The drawback is they also change in the lowest of light and make for a longer darker morning.

Pete

[Leon.R]

I think all animals are the same, just stare at someone in a crowd and see how long it takes them to look at you...same way you feel someone looking at you.
Deer are just better at it than us.

[Chris Shelton]

With small game it is essential. And since it seems that small game hunting is just big game training to me, I use the same techniques for big game! I always avert, and like others have said I often close them too!

[ksbowman]

I never make eye contact. I even squint when a deer looks my way. Glad to know I'm not the only one freaky about it.

[njloco]

Put camo makeup on your eye lids, as they area like a flash light everytime you blink.

[bad arrow]

Yeah I've had deer look me right in the eye. I was told years ago to avert your eyes when that happens. If they dont see movement or catch your scent they'll return to what they were doing, if not with a little suspicion. Phil

[-Achilles-]

I read in the UBM years ago about a study they did on the small indention between human eyes.They said there is what they call a "cone" there that had no purpose other then for psychic power.1 thing they talked about was when some hunters go hunting the animals tend to move around behind them instead of in front of them because the signals that your giving off through the cone repel the animals from ever being right in front of you because you have the intent to shoot them.How many of you have had that happen?I know whenever I want to hunt and kill something the animals never appear in front of me like I plan they always come from behind or something difficult they never make it easy like for some people.My cousin has deer practically lay down right in front of him and give up.He gets easy shots and the deer just are drawn to him(and he is a ground hunter,stalker and we all know how hard it is to kill a deer from the ground) and he kills with ease every year.The article said it has to do with how deep or shallow the indention between your eyes is and that is what determines how much psychic waves your putting out.I'm beginning to believe it.Some hunters kill out so easy its rediculous and some hunt their a$$ off all year and maybe get 1.I am a better stalker then my cousin and thats a fact.I have better health, balance,stealth,I'm more patient, everything yet he has no problem killing with ease and its a struggle for me.I have a TON of close calls every year but its usually something like the deer comes in from behind me and is standing 5 yards behind me where I can't do anything.When I don't have a weapon with me and killing an animal is the last thing on my mind thats when a deer walks up right in front of me at 5 yards and stands there for 20 minutes.

Do any of you remember reading this in the UBM,United bowhunters of missouri magazine?

[Bowwild]

I don't believe it matters to the deer whether you're eye-balling them or not.

I do know it matters to me.  I'm much better off not looking directly at the deer's "face" becaue it bends me further out of shape.

I think when folks eye-ball the deer they don't realize their mouth opens progressively wider and wider ... that's what Mrs. Doe sees. (of course I'm kidding about the mouth).

[Swamp Preacher]

Old timers taught me: avoid eye contact and don't show your teeth.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Originally posted by Hill Hunter:
I don't know if its a sixth since but it happens, I tend to think that a set of predator eyes is just something they pick up. looking away is not enough in my experience, squint or close your eyes.

You nailed it Hill, we are predators and deer have to deal with all kinds. They have learned to spot us just like we have learned to spot them and the eyes are a dead give away, especially if your face isn't covered up.....anybody who doesn't at least wear a face mask should really think about getting one.

When you were a kid and just learning to hunt, did your dad, uncle, or grandfather ever take you out to try and find a rabbit sitting so you could shoot one? Mine did and you know what he looked for amongst other things to spot a sitting rabbit buried up in brush......the eye.
He told me that it looked like a big black marble and the eye is a dead give away, find the rabbit's eye and the rest of him will come into focus.
I think that's what deer do.......they may not see the outline of your body right away with good camo on, but if they see your eyes and stare at you long enough the rest of your outline will come into focus.
I wouldn't call it a magical 6th sense, just very good survival skills.

[SEMO_HUNTER]

Achilles- I would like to read that article if you can locate it. Don't know for sure, but there could be some truth to that?
Who knows? If a dog can detect cancer in a human body then why couldn't a deer pick up on negative..Predatory energy from a human?
Maybe we should all think about puppies, flowers, kittens, Santa Claus, and the easter bunny while we are deer hunting?    

[kbetts]

I stare 'em down all the time.  That's how you learn what they're thinkin'.  

Must be the face paint.

[BTW]

I tend to squint at turkeys and deer when they are looking at me. I do believe they can pick out the eyes of a predator.  We all have a "six sense", even the animals. Like someone already said, how often have you looked at someone and they turn and look right at you. Or you just sense someone walking up behind you.  Oooooooooooo!....Spooky:)

[-Achilles-]

Semo....I will try and find it I think I still have it.

[Don Stokes]

They don't need a sixth sense- the five they have are enough to make fools of us most of the time!

Predator species (like us) have their eyes located on the front of their heads, for binocular vision and improved focus on their prey. Prey species have their eyes located on the sides of their heads, where they can look all around without moving their heads. A deer can see a much broader field of vision than we can. Prey species naturally are alerted by a pair of predator eyes looking at them as a survival tool.

Dan Quillian clued me in to these facts. Makes perfect sense to me. After learning this, I squint and/or close one eye when a deer is in front of me. Since the eye on your side can always pick you out, they don't even have to be facing your way to see your eyes.

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Honestly, I've never bought into this whole sixth sense, don't look them in the eye thing. So for the past few years, every time a deer that I intend to shoot gets within range, I stare at them and think as many ill thoughts as possible. Judging by my chest freezer, I'd have to say it hasn't hurt my chances any.

[-Achilles-]

Jason...Yes but you may be one of the lucky people that was born with a psychic cone that puts off zero waves.

[Stumpkiller]

Originally posted by Jason R. Wesbrock:
Honestly, I've never bought into this whole sixth sense, don't look them in the eye thing. So for the past few years, every time a deer that I intend to shoot gets within range, I stare at them and think as many ill thoughts as possible. Judging by my chest freezer, I'd have to say it hasn't hurt my chances any.

I don't understand it?  Even in my Shrew-Works wool hood the deer always make me when I stare!

 

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Originally posted by -Achilles-:
Jason...Yes but you may be one of the lucky people that was born with a psychic cone that puts off zero waves.

I had them take out my psychic cone when they repaired my ruptured gizzard.  
   

[Don Stokes]

What hump?