It happened once last year and now it happened this year. I'm positive I wasn't seen or winded last year. I wasn't winded this year but may have been seen. Is it just that does hate or suspect the smell of an estrus tag? I'm beginning to think they aren't worth it if they might attract a buck but definitely drive does away. Anybody else have this experience?

Maybe jumpin the gun on Estrus doe, not many in heat yet?

I've not observed this myself but it's plausible. My understanding is that an estrous doe is going to be avoided by non-estrous ones because they don't want bucks chasing them around.

If this is happening as you suspect, what is driving the doe away is precisely the thing that will make the buck interested. He's specifically looking for an estrous doe.

Is it possible they are seeing or winding something you are not aware of ? In my experience, it is not unusual for Deer to spook for no apparent reason. I've never seen what I thought was a Doe spooking from estrus scent.

Like I said, I may have been seen this year but not last year. I can see a non-estrous doe avoiding an estrous doe but would she blow at one? That's pretty much a warning to other deer to stay away. Maybe she thought the estrous smell was too strong so she thought (rightly) something was up.

I'm guessing it was a warning to the "estrus doe" (really the tag) she was scenting to stay away, unless she'd detected something else altogether.

I must admit, though, that I have little knowledge of deer calls and am only speculating. Perhaps this is something to experiment with and see. Could be useful to know.