I have read the answer to your same question in a book by Leonard Lee Rue III- who is perhaps the greatest deer biologists to ever live. After reading his answer to the same question, the answer is NO- deer do not recognize a human print as a threat. Imagine if a deer recognized every coyote track as a threat- it would be impossible for them to avoid track after track. The only time they find ANY track a threat(Human or animal) is if there is the scent of human or predator present within the track and or air. Even then, the deer would only be on alert and more than likely will not avoid the tracks all together. I hope my answer makes sense. If yoiu are a serious deer hunter I highly suggest you purchase the book "The Deer of North America" by leonard Lee Rue III. He has logged over 20,000 hours studying deer behavior and his books have all the answers to any question you might have.

But just to be safe, walk backwards. The the deer will think you are leaving...!!!!!!

lol.

Up here in the north the deer will make travel routes in the snow. They will always walk down the same trail to create deer sidewalk in a sense. I will walk the bush with my snowshoes and make a trail. Next day the deer are using this as a travel path.

I believe your scent doesn't hang around as much on the snow you walk across as well. That's what bothers them. Fresh human scent.

A deer will not be bothered by your footprints in the snow.

Here in Va. we swing on vines like Tarzan to avoid this whole situation lol lol lol

To a deer a footprint in the snow is nothing. They are not that smart. Now if you wear leather boots, they will smell you, but they will never put two and two together as to what a human print is. Actually I would wager they will never notice. It doesnt snow here much, but ive had deer walk right along my foot prints in the snow. I love when there is snow on the ground. I can walk quiter and when I shoot a deer, it is very easy to track. Get out and get you a deer.

I agree. I walk through mud, cow crap, hog crap, or anything natural in the area to help cover any scent that might be on my boots. Deer will never visually detect a foot print. But they will smell you if you leave a scent trail.

They don't. They can smell you maybe but thats it. I have had deer, elk, moose all walk on my tracks after I walked through an area. The followed my tracks for a long ways sometimes. It's pretty funny actually when I am hunting elk and walking through the snow and never see one and on my way back there are multiple tracks walking in my tracks after I had already passed through.

Sounds to me like you need to walk in front of your stand! :poke:

According to the Eberharts (father and son that hold over a dozen state records in MI), snow holds scent really well. So while deer can't recognize a human footprint by sight, they can recognize it by smell if you're not careful. Be sure to wear rubber boots and take normal scent precautions and you should be OK.