Gotta say it - the puppy could have given him some great cover scent / motion.

The deer would be looking at this little yappy thing and concentrating on HIM - not the hunter.

Have watched deer become distracted and then engage a lone coyote it what looks like "play" - but I'm sure is more serious than that for the 'yote. The coyote moves on and the deer go back to their business with barely a twitch of the tail.