How You Think May Spook Deer

This big buck was photographed, and never knew he was near danger.

This topic is designed to make hunters think. You'll wonder if Ol' Man Richey has slipped a cog or has a few loose screws. Perhaps time and Mother Nature has addled his brain.

I assure you my think-box still works fine. Today's topic may disturb some hunters, could cause others to wonder if this topic has some basis in fact, and if so, how does it work?

This is a quantum leap for some when they read about it, and when I've stated my opinion at countless deer-hunting seminars I've given over many years, some folks sit there with their mouth agape in obvious and total disbelief. It's as if they've hit themselves in the nose with my fist.

Many people don’t believe it, but over 30 years, I know why some never score.

It's not important that hunters believe as I do, but over the past 30-plus years I've tested this philosophy on countless occasions. Each time I test it, the result is the same. I strongly believe what follows is true, and all I wish of readers is to decide if they believe it is true. Feel free to disagree.

Here goes: I believe, since I am a supremely capable and thinking predator, that deer -- especially does and large bucks -- can sense the presence of danger without the benefit of movement, noise or scent. I once hunted mountain lions in northern Arizona, and my guide told me the reason he feels that cougars kill mostly mule deer bucks is because those deer are so full of themselves they act and feel immune to danger.

They are not alert or attuned to the presence of danger. Does, on the other hand, are constantly alert to the possibility of nearby predators.

My thought is pretty straight-forward. I believe that thinking hard about killing an incoming buck or doe can transfer some type of danger signal to the animals. Are human thoughts carried by brain waves? Do these vibes, if you will, throw off a silent alarm that does seem to pick it up much easier than young bucks?

I never think, after spotting an oncoming buck or doe, about shooting that animal. My brain stays in neutral, idling without thought. I deliberately avoid thinking about shooting and killing that deer. I may and often do spend that time thinking about my next article.

My idea is to never stare at a buck or doe. Looking into a deer's eyes seem to allow that animal to feel human presence. My thoughts remain neutral, and when I draw, aim and shoot, I'm concentrating on my aiming point but am not thinking about killing the animal.

To test this theory over the years has proven quite informative. My normal hunting method is to allow my eyes to sweep over the deer without lingering on any part of its body. It's easy to establish the animal is a buck if antlers are visible, and that data is stored in my mind. I know it is a buck but no longer think about it, and I never dwell on such thoughts, which I feel may be counterproductive to a successful hunt.

Don’t stare at deer or look ‘em in the eye, and don’t think about shooting them.

I think about going hunting the next night, which stand may be productive under the current wind direction, or I'll recall something that has nothing to do with hunting. I could just as easily think about painting the basement walls, which is a horrid thought, even when trying to fool a nice buck. I may wonder when the Tigers’ Justin Verlander will toss another no-hitter.

However, my mind knows why I’m out there on that day, which is to possibly shoot a buck or doe. However, my mind focuses on other thoughts, or on nothing at all, and when my mind tells me it's time to shoot, the bow is drawn, the red-dot settles behind the front shoulder and the arrow is gone before my mind tells my finger to shoot.

The deer never senses a threat or any unease. It doesn't feel my predatory instincts coming its way, and the deer remains relaxed. Calm and cool thoughts or even not thinking at all is far preferable than telling yourself that the shot will go through its lungs and heart. That may happen, but if you don't think hard on it, I'm convinced the deer will not bolt unless you move or make a sound at the wrong time.

On the other hand, I've often thought about killing the buck as a specific test. I'll think: Here comes a buck, and look at those antlers. My eyes scan the bone on the buck's head, and then I strongly focus my attention on the heart-lung area.

The buck, suddenly alert, turns his head. My eyes lock on his, a predator staring at a nice buck. His head turns slowly away, and I come to full draw, think about driving the arrow into the chest cavity, and at about that time, the animal suddenly bolts off in panicked flight.

There has been no noise or sudden movements, and no way the deer could smell me. But my thoughts were keenly focused on killing that animal, and perhaps this comes from my many years of hunting experience and shooting many deer. Perhaps my vibes are stronger than those of others who have largely been unsuccessful.

I believe deer can pick up human vibes intent from hunters.

Think of it this way. I no longer drink, but back when I did, my entering a bar was always an experience. If I was a stranger, I'd immediately feel the vibes of other people, and then would come a strong feeling that someone was staring at me. With practiced determination, my eyes would gradually scan the room until that person was spotted.

It was then I'd size up the situation. Is this a friendly person or one who wants to put knuckle bumps on my head? If I sense agitation or aggressive danger, I'd turn and walk out while possible. It's the same thing with deer.

If they sense danger, however it is transmitted, it becomes an instinctive reaction. It's like an adrenaline rush: it triggers the fight or flight response. Deer don't grow large antlers by ignoring these little niggling feelings. I draw the line at giving deer human-like qualities, but I'm convinced that deer can pick up hostile vibes from someone trying to shoot it.

Deer, I'm convinced, can do the same thing as humans although how they process this invisible information is an unknown factor. Years ago, while shooting some of the deer photos needed for stories, the deer would hear the shutter click, look around, and nothing happened. Minutes later another photo or two would be taken, and the deer would become used to the noise. Nothing happens, and they would soon relax.

It's strange but deer seem to sense when a hunter or photographer means no harm, and while an old doe may go charging off, if they are not unduly alarmed, they often return within minutes.

Deer that sense a hunter who is intent on shooting them can get as freaky as a mule deer doe when she suspects the presence of a predatory cougar. She doesn't want to be dinner, and takes whatever evasive actions are needed to avoid the predator. Bucks, on the other hand, seem unaware of danger unless it picks up some predatory vibes.

This is where it becomes extremely important to remain in a non-predatory mind set. Think about killing. and things can quickly change.

This technique isn’t difficult to learn but hard to put into practice.

Never look deer in the eye, never think about shooting them, scan past the animal, never put a lingering stare on the deer, and if I'm about to shoot, my mind is emptied of all predatory thoughts. Ninety-five percent (or more) of the deer that have fallen to my arrows were dead before they knew their lives were in danger.

I repeat: it's not necessary that you believe this, and hunters can continue to hunt as they choose. However, when I hunt, my purpose is to get close to deer, never get them excited, and if the right buck comes by, I'll take the shot. Cougars hunt the same way and they are more deadly predators than most humans.

It's quite likely this may be the most radical bit of deer hunting material you'll read this year. My thought is not to change your hunting style but for you to consider an alternative line of thinking. Many of the key hunters in North America, if pinned to the floor with a hammerlock, will agree with these thoughts. All I'm taking is your time (the line from an old song) and my hopes are you'll give this the thought it deserves.

Feel free to share your thoughts. Do you agree or disagree? Your comments, please. E-mail me at < dave@daverichey.com >. Help me out with your comments.

Title: How You Think May Spook Deer

Tags: Dave. Richey, Michigan, outdoors, thoughts, vibes, spook, deer, empty, mind, before, shooting, never, stare))

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