VTbowman Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 In the past few years I had started to see a trend. Something I did not intend to "test" but nevertheless have noticed "every" time I do one or the other. This concernes the debated "Use of a flashlight to and from your stand in the dark." A week ago I went out super earlier to get on stand, it was dark and rainly with the wind in my face, but I could see well enough in the open fields to not run into anything or fall so I opted not to use my mini-mag. On my way out that morning I bumped 2 groups of deer, which I only heard, as they snorted and bounded away threw edge sapplings and brush. I never even saw the flags, but could tell they were mifted. NOW... This past Sat morning, same exact conditions, but it seemed darker so I used the flashlight. I see the eyes of 3 deer within 40 yards of me and they just stand and stare. I am walking towards them and the stand their ground. I get to within 15 yards and they get nervous and trot off, but no snorts and no bounding or flagging. They stop a distance later and stare some more. I did this with 3 groups of deer on my way across the fields heading towards my woods. Now why is this? My theory is that when you do not use a flashlight, the deer, whom can see very well in the dark, can see my body shape and movement. I doubt they know I am human but they know "something" large is walking in there fields and may consider it a predotor so they blow outa there. With a flashlight on what do they see? ONLY the small white dot floating around. The light "camoflauges" my entire shape as they can ONLY see the light. This does make them nervous when you get real close but they do not see it as a preditory threat. Just my theory but it seems like EVERY time I bump deer without the light they are tripping over themselves to make distance. With the light, they are much calmer and do not scare off. I am also more successful seeing deer coming off my field when I use my light then when I don't. Like I said I have seen this time and time again, over years of hunting this property. Its not like a one time thing. What are your thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThethirdI Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Re: Deer vs flashlight; My theory... I have to agree with your findings. Even though I hunt on public land and there are many flashlights in the woods during the season I have found that the deer usually freeze in the light and filter away rather than blow and bolt like they do when you walk up on them without a light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTbowman Posted October 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Re: Deer vs flashlight; My theory... Its loosely based on the "Deer in the head light" thing we see all to often while driving. A 65 mph mass moving at then, they can hear it coming towards them, but all they see is the light and it freezes them. The mini-mag will not freeze them but it certainly does not scare them off and it does cover your mass as its moving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dg Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Re: Deer vs flashlight; My theory... I never had the chances to even notice. But thanks for the post. I may give it a try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbeck Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Re: Deer vs flashlight; My theory... I don't know, but the majestic whitetail that pics me out of a tree when I'm wrapped in RT harwoods. Can't see a train coming down the tracks. Go figure, I can't explain, I can only marvel at this mystery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest buddy ahart Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Re: Deer vs flashlight; My theory... I never use a flashlight when im going to or from my stand i always thought it scared the deer so i was always tripping as i walk in but now that u said that im ganna use my led head light when i walk in. Thanks for the idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTbowman Posted October 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Re: Deer vs flashlight; My theory... I would normally only use it when its just to dark to see in the fields and always while going up threw the woods. If your in woods in NW Vermont then its most likely rocky and very uneven, IE: not farmable, so twisting an ankle is very real possiblity. Not to mention the 1000 sticks and branches just itchin to poke out your eye... I too was taught using a light will alert deer. But since deer can basically see in the dark; it dont matter. The light will render them not as effective to see your outline IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hillbilly Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 Re: Deer vs flashlight; My theory... [ QUOTE ] In the past few years I had started to see a trend. Something I did not intend to "test" but nevertheless have noticed "every" time I do one or the other. This concernes the debated "Use of a flashlight to and from your stand in the dark." A week ago I went out super earlier to get on stand, it was dark and rainly with the wind in my face, but I could see well enough in the open fields to not run into anything or fall so I opted not to use my mini-mag. On my way out that morning I bumped 2 groups of deer, which I only heard, as they snorted and bounded away threw edge sapplings and brush. I never even saw the flags, but could tell they were mifted. NOW... This past Sat morning, same exact conditions, but it seemed darker so I used the flashlight. I see the eyes of 3 deer within 40 yards of me and they just stand and stare. I am walking towards them and the stand their ground. I get to within 15 yards and they get nervous and trot off, but no snorts and no bounding or flagging. They stop a distance later and stare some more. I did this with 3 groups of deer on my way across the fields heading towards my woods. Now why is this? My theory is that when you do not use a flashlight, the deer, whom can see very well in the dark, can see my body shape and movement. I doubt they know I am human but they know "something" large is walking in there fields and may consider it a predotor so they blow outa there. With a flashlight on what do they see? ONLY the small white dot floating around. The light "camoflauges" my entire shape as they can ONLY see the light. This does make them nervous when you get real close but they do not see it as a preditory threat. Just my theory but it seems like EVERY time I bump deer without the light they are tripping over themselves to make distance. With the light, they are much calmer and do not scare off. I am also more successful seeing deer coming off my field when I use my light then when I don't. Like I said I have seen this time and time again, over years of hunting this property. Its not like a one time thing. What are your thoughts? [/ QUOTE ] That has to be the best dang theory I've ever heard, and the only one that makes enough sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GobblerBuster618 Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Re: Deer vs flashlight; My theory... I like the theory Nice Work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAbowhunter86 Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Re: Deer vs flashlight; My theory... Never thought about it really, But I am glad you brot that up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bowhunterforlife Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Re: Deer vs flashlight; My theory... VTBowman you gave me a brilliant theory to try, Sat morning was heading to my stand flashlight in hand turned "off", i kicked 5 deer in the picked bean field i have to cross to get to my stand. which your theory explains well, they blew at me and ran off. 2 1/2 hours later all 5 walked under me with 4 bucks 10 minutes later. Thanks for the great theory and i will be testing it on the coldest morning all season monday morning.Hoping and praying on the 19 or 14 pointers showing up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BigAl1781 Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Re: Deer vs flashlight; My theory... i agree,ive had it happen to me, but i also had a buck come back after light to see what it was 2 yrs ago and well,,hes on the wall now,,i think he was curious,i always use a flashlight small 1 but its still a light and i always get in the woods atleast 45min before 1st light so its pitch black Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 Re: Deer vs flashlight; My theory... To be honest, I've had deer react both with and without a flashlight. A lot depends on the wind and what you're walking through. I don't think a flashlight will camoflage you if you're up wind of the deer, and if you're trapsing through corn, beans, or brambles, they're still going to bolt in that instance even if you've got a flashlight in their eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.