Ok...spent last weekend hunting, wearing a blaze orange cap and vest. So did my other hunting partners. That color is definitely easy to see, even with my color blind eyes.
Now I'd like to hear from the experienced amateur deer eye experts about why we use blaze orange other than because it's a distinctively bright and safe color for us to see. Has anyone heard of research findings on the subject of what colors deer can see? Can the deer see us in our blaze orange clothing as easily as we can see that color? Or are we also distinctive targets for deer to see, too? :nod:
My understanding is that most, if not all, deer species cannot see in colour. They can, however, distinguish shapes and patterns. I think this is why a camo "pattern" on blaze orange clothing will supposedly perform better than plain, one-color blaze orange.
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Happiness is a warm gun.
- The Beatles
Thanks! That's sort of what I'd been told before by one of my hunting partners...but I still wondered. My gloves were camo, as well. Yet my shining white face would have stood out according to the above theory. Makes sense what you've said. Guess that means I should be camouflaging my face, too, for maximum stealth. :nod:
And...my shiny gun barrel is another give away to Bambi. I've seen guns with camo color. Guess that's another good idea.
Body smell is the leading spooker. Some body movment will usually go unseen. If deer were better at the human shape tree stands would not work as well as they do. Deer don't usually look up for danger. The National Hunter Safty Association teaches that Deer only see in shades of black and white. I have been caught out in the open and had Deer walk towards me trying to find out what I am till they smell me. Once I was asleep on the ground and a doe walked right up to me snorting all the way. She knew I didn't belong there but was going to check me out anyway.
SOMETIMES IT DEPENDS WHERE THE HUNT SITE IS. I KNOW A GUY WHO HUNTS A FARM WHERE THERE IS A LOT OF HUMAN ACTIVITY. HE SMOKES AND TAKES A LEAK FROM THE STAND AND THE DEER ARE USED TO IT. I'D RATHER BE SAFE THAN SORRY THOUGH.
i was told that the deer dont distinguish the shapes or color. apparently if you were in the bush and stayed perfectly still they wouldn't see you. they are supposed to see movement really well though. not experience talking, just relaying what i have heard. if what i heard is wrong, i would like to know.
I had a buck walk up to me about 15 ft. away. I was looking off in another direction and as I turned my head we startled each other. Surprised me so bad I totally blew the shot. Deer use smell and hearing mostly. their weakness is sight. But don't be fooled they can see movemnet very well.
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"Great minds talk about ideas, small minds talk about other people."
I use blaze orange head to toe every year, it is the law in WI. Before the hunt I do wash the clothing in a scent free UV blocker wash.
I also agree, deer seem to key off of scent and movement in that order. Never found blaze orange to be a hinderance in taking 1-2 deer every year for the last 18yrs. And this is all in close range of slug guns, pistols and muzzle loaders, no rifles can be used in our area.
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"Some people can not live without wilderness"-Aldo Leopold
since I hunt my own property I don't use Orange on my property because I am the only shooter in the area. If I am on other properties I wear the legal requirments.
Jerry is right about what the deer see they look for movement and the eyes and shine I was in full camo this weekend and when those does stared at me all they saw was a tree everything is covered including my face with camo netting
The deer I took Saturday didn't notice the smell of my urine(I let it fly from my stand) nor did she notice the orange hat and vest I was wearing. What she did notice was when I moved to bring my rifle to bear on her. I think movement is the thing deer notice most. I have no scientific evidence to prove this just several years of experience in the woods.
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Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!
Deer have the huge advantage of being able to see in a much wider horizontal hemisphere than us, so when you think they are looking in another direction they can still be looking right at you. I expect their "rods and cones" (or whatever they're called) are much more sensitive to movement than ours. Everyone has probably noticed that their peripheral vision can sometimes detect movement better than if you were looking straight at it, especially in low light. Deer have the same capability, only much better.
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Happiness is a warm gun.
- The Beatles
HELLO MARY LOU...Song Lyrics by Ricky Nelson :guitar: :guitar: :guitar:
Hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
Sweet Mary Lou I'm so in love with you
I knew Mary Lou we'd never part
So hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
Passed me by one sunny day
Flashed those big brown eyes my way
And I wanted you forever more
Wo now I'm not one that gets around
Swear my feet stuck to the ground
And know I never did meet you before
I said hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
Sweet Mary Lou I'm so in love with you
I knew Mary Lou we'd never part
So hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
I saw your lips I heard your voice
Believe me I just had no choice
Wild horses couldn't make me stay away
I though about a moonlit night
Arms around you good and tight
That's all I had to see for me to stay
Hey hey hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
Sweet Mary Lou I'm so in love with you
I knew Mary Lou we'd never part
So hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
So hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
Yes hello Mary Lou goodbye heart
:nod:
Didja sing it all? 
