I like the " let it fly from up high option" and have done so in the past. I think I did not see any deer aftwards one time and couldn' t help but think that was the reason.

But I agree, it is probably not a big deal. I let it fly from up high one time and a bedded deer took off from nearby but only because of the loud sound of it hitting the ground. It was a small doe. Nothing too heartbreaking.

Sometimes I chew tobacco (I know - bad habit) and spit from up high. I haven' t seen any deer run away because of that either. But I know it doesn' t help either.