I think deer hear about as well as us. Natural sounds probably don’t alert them like squirrels jumping around, birds, turkeys scratching or clucking….but the sound of metal on metal,squeaky stands etc. puts them on red alert. Thermals, wind and weather make a difference in how sound carrys in the woods as well.Totally random thought but how good do we really believe deers ears to be? Do any of us this they pick up frequencies more than sound? I enjoy reading in the tree very much but I have a tendency to get sucked into what I’m reading to the extent of forgetting I’m even hunting sometimes. Also looking down that king tends to really cramp up my neck upper back and shoulders. Has anyone been using wireless ear buds to listen to podcast or Audio books? Obviously at a low volume with only one in but I’d hate for it to actually effect the spookiness of any incoming game.
If you have ever grunted a deer in it seems they can pin point the call to a tee! If I want them to come in on my weak side I grunt call on the weak side. More times than not they show up on the weak side! I think they can differentiate what is a safe sound and a danger sound easily. Tells me they have excellent hearing!
As far as the electronic devices in the woods? I check the time and weather on cell phone that’s it. I need to be paying attention to Mother Nature.