Hey I'm just trying to rationalize this. Maybe I'll learn something.

In my experiences......"catch my scent"? RARELY does this end well. "Catch sight of something"? I've killed a few that saw me. Could've killed a lot that saw me (one was just last night).

VERY similar occurrence, last night. Lone doe.....enters from the S. Wind is W and in my face (how I was facing). She enters from my left.....and gets to 15 yds and gets antsy. I thought I was still (I watched her enter), but she "seemingly" caught my outline in the tree I was in (who knows?). I was on the back side of the tree from where I thought they'd be coming in. She was also below me a little in elevation (8'?). I had doe urine out....but she didn't get downwind of my scent rag .......I don't think.

Even after spotting me.....I still could've shot(at) her (after she settled down).

Did the wind swirl.....even a "little"? Don't know. Did she see me? Don't know. She never got to my entrance trail. I do know that.

All I'm saying is.....too many times I'm seemingly spotted in a tree.....and still have opportunities to take the deer....for me to think a half-hidden flashlight would cause a deer to bolt at it's UNMOVING sight....is a stretch. Would they bolt at a "new" stick or limb that's fallen the night before? Do you think they know the difference from 45' if they can't smell it?