Originally Posted by
ihookem1
I can walk right up on a deer cause I'm the deer whisperer. On a serious note, Once I shot a buck and couldn't find it. I tracked with a flashlight well into dark. By the time it got totally dark a storm came in and it was very windy on my way to the cabin. When I got close to the cabin where I put out apples and some corn I heard some deer moving. As I shined there was an old doe eating and looking around. Being windy( 30 mph gusts) I shined and walked to within 15 ft of the deer. It didn't know I was there even with the light. A decent stick bow with a stone broadhead most likely woul dhave killed it. It was very close and un concerned.
The reason it couldn't see you is because deer don't register light the same as we do. Actually, It would have easily seen you if you had turned your light off. Because the deer's eyes were adjusted for darkness, a small amount of light could blind it to any objects around the light source. This is also utilized by hunters and other prey during sunset. Putting the sun behind the hunter allows prey to sneak up on deer.
Also, when a deer sees light it doesn't register as danger, but rather just some light. (Unless the deer has learned over its lifetime that light at night means danger.)