• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

What Percentage of the Time Do You Think Deer Blow/Snort When They Wind You?

What Percentage of the Time Do You Think Deer Blow/Snort When They Wind You?

  • 0% - 9%

    Votes: 4 9.5%
  • 10% - 19%

    Votes: 3 7.1%
  • 20% - 29%

    Votes: 5 11.9%
  • 30% - 39%

    Votes: 5 11.9%
  • 40% - 49%

    Votes: 5 11.9%
  • 50% - 59%

    Votes: 9 21.4%
  • 60% - 69%

    Votes: 2 4.8%
  • 70% - 79%

    Votes: 4 9.5%
  • 80% - 89%

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 90% - 99%

    Votes: 5 11.9%

  • Total voters
    42

Crawdaddy4

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 2, 2020
347
570
93
43
SE Louisiana
LOCATION
Ponchatoula, LA
Have been discussing this with other hunters and the opinion seems to vary wildly from "every time" to "rarely". Interested to learn the consensus of this group of often deer blow when they wind you versus quietly slip away or just avoid you altogether.

Feel free to add comments around how you think they react also when they see or hear you. Personally, I think I have been winded more than I've been seen or heard.
 

Dsabhunt

Well-Known Member
Apr 24, 2022
283
617
93
37
Southern MN
When I've been winded by does they always blow and make a big production about it. When it comes to bucks winding me they just seem to look around and then get out of dodge. I don't think I've ever had a buck blow when it winded me
 

Dope on a Rope

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 21, 2023
677
1,200
93
38
I had a spike catch me going up a tree 15 yards from his bed and he came back every couple hours to blow at me from behind cover. but otherwise my vote was along the lines of what % of deer I see are does vs bucks.
 

GeoFish

Well-Known Member
SH Member
May 5, 2021
2,459
4,094
113
70
Kentucky
I have walked within of 10 yards of a deer laying in its bed. Held tight like a rabbit never moved and let me walk by. I saw a deer crawl like a dog to get away from another hunter.
I think younger deer tend to blow.
We will never know the answer.
 

SNIPERBBB

Well-Known Member
Feb 19, 2020
1,318
1,583
113
40
SE Ohio
Not everytime but not rarely either. Too many other variables in play. If you have a nosey doe thats busted you before...she snorts everytime till you can silence her.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crawdaddy4

Crawdaddy4

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 2, 2020
347
570
93
43
SE Louisiana
LOCATION
Ponchatoula, LA
I'm going to reword the question to reflect "does" since that is how most are responding. Plus, it's an important distinction seeing as how most believe that bucks respond differently than does.

Appreciate everyone's feedback. Always interesting to learn what other hunters' experience is.

Update: nevermind, I couldn't change the question after people have voted on it. LOL.

Let's vote with does in mind.
 

DelaWhere_Arrow

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jul 16, 2019
2,595
4,498
113
Delaware
I think I notice does blow most often when they’ve smelled AND seen me. I actually can’t recall being blown at JUST because of being winded. Usually one of the other two senses trips them to blow, and sight seems more so than sound.
I’ve had bucks blow but again, sight induced. And bucks seem to just blow once or twice and get lost, where does will blow until every deer in the county hears them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crawdaddy4

MattMan81

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 13, 2020
5,073
9,817
113
The Mitten
Finally a pole and thread I feel qualified to talk about! All this killing over 100 deer and advanced talk leaves me feeling inadequate. Thanks for bring up something I can relate to. Getting busted!!!!!
My thoughts are.... Bigger experienced deer blow either once or never.
2.5yr old are like a kid with a microphone. Does will blow more. But a younger buck still seems to let a few go.
Anything mature and been around the block a few times just gets out.

Which is probably about 60-70% of the deer I "see".
 

DelaWhere_Arrow

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jul 16, 2019
2,595
4,498
113
Delaware
Was on my phone like a bum and three does came to 15 yds. Impossible to be smellt because the milkweed is dropping straight to the ground. One looked up and saw me, that was the end. 200 snorts later and I’m busted for today most likely.
Sight is the kryptonite, I’m convinced.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MattMan81

MattMan81

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Jan 13, 2020
5,073
9,817
113
The Mitten
Was on my phone like a bum and three does came to 15 yds. Impossible to be smellt because the milkweed is dropping straight to the ground. One looked up and saw me, that was the end. 200 snorts later and I’m busted for today most likely.
Sight is the kryptonite, I’m convinced.
If I want a deer to come by, I just pull out my phone. Or put my jacket on.
 
  • Love
Reactions: DelaWhere_Arrow

Allegheny Tom

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Feb 4, 2018
6,079
10,266
113
Western Pennsylvania
There's all different levels of "being winded". I think we get busted far more than we realize. I consider deer detecting residual odor that we leave as being busted. Environmental conditions probably play a factor too. High humidity and light wind undoubtedly make it worse.
Lots of factors involved here.
How they actually react probably comes down to how often they encounter human odor in a given area. In some areas, they'd be hyperventilating from snorting. I voted 0%-9%. It's probably closer to 9% than 0%.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BTaylor

boyne bowhunter

Moderator
Staff member
SH Member
Aug 17, 2016
7,597
20,323
113
61
NW Michigan
I agree with most, does are most likely to snort and make a production to warn the herd. Mature bucks will just make themselves scarce. Same rules apply to tail flashing when spooked. Does will flag, mature bucks figure everyman for himself and tuck it and run.