Biologist’s Guide to Going UNDETECTED by Bucks

About this video

• Video Title: Biologist’s Guide to Going UNDETECTED by Bucks
• Channel: The Southern Outdoorsman
• Speakers: Dr. Carl Miller, Brian Murphy, Jacob, Andrew
• Duration: 1:23:24

Overview

This video features a discussion with biologist Dr. Carl Miller and hosts Brian Murphy, Jacob, and Andrew about deer vision and its implications for hunters. They explore how deer perceive their environment through sight, comparing it to human vision and discussing adaptations like night vision capabilities and color perception. The conversation also touches on how this understanding can inform hunting strategies, camouflage choices, and overall success in the field.

Key takeaways

• Deer Vision vs. Human Vision: Deer have dichromatic vision (seeing in two color spectrums) compared to humans' trichromatic vision (three color spectrums). They are less sensitive to reds and greens, and blaze orange appears duller, potentially appearing black at the far end of their visible spectrum.
• Enhanced Night Vision: Deer possess adaptations for better low-light vision, including larger pupils that gather more light and a reflective layer (tapetum lucidum) behind their retina that bounces light back through the photoreceptors, effectively doubling light gathering ability.
• Color Perception and UV Light: Deer see blues vividly, approximately 20 times better than humans. They can also perceive ultraviolet (UV) light, which is why laundry detergents with brighteners can make clothing appear to "glow" to deer, especially during dawn and dusk.
• Visual Acuity and Movement Detection: Deer have lower visual acuity for stationary objects (comparable to 20/60 or 20/80 vision) but possess a much higher processing speed for detecting movement, estimated to be four to five times faster than humans. This allows them to perceive their surroundings in "slow motion."
• Hunting Strategies and Camouflage: Understanding deer vision suggests avoiding blues and UV-reflective clothing. Camouflage patterns should focus on breaking up outlines rather than exact mimicry. For ground hunting, movement concealment is paramount, and for tree stands, a higher position offers an advantage.
• Deer Hearing: Deer hearing range and acuity are similar to humans, but they are more attuned to their environment. They can directionalize sounds effectively with their large ears and distinguish between natural and unnatural sounds. High-frequency sounds attenuate quickly, while low-frequency sounds travel further.
• Learned Behavior and Avoiding Detection: Deer learn to avoid areas with consistent human pressure. Hunting strategically, avoiding over-hunting specific spots, minimizing noise and scent during entry and exit, and understanding deer's reaction to movement and sound are crucial for successful hunting.