Second they sure as heck know what odors they expect NOT to smell in and round their beds or secluded feeding areas. As you would in your own bedroom. Deer are consistently crossing the scent streams of predators and humans or at least predators in wilderness
Shedd, sounds to me like you have been around the block with old moss-back more than once.
I wholeheartedly agree with your logic and experience. The above quote is true to an extent I believe, but like you said, each deer is different. I really believe it is possible and highly likely that a deer, no matter the age, would want to investigate a food smell and/or the odor of another deer as long as the other deer's odor does not intimidate him. As for as comparing deer to humans with their bed and feeding areas, I believe only if I "sensed/smelled" DANGER, would I not investigate. If I smell apples in my bedroom or kitchen, I will likely either ignore it or go for a bite of one. Now if I smelled apple and a Mountain Lion (predator) in there, I would surely vacate the premises.
These are just my thoughts and logical way of thinking here, not facts.
And by the way HCH, you just had to go there didn't you, you evil little man.[:-]
LT