Hunter behavior vs hiker behavior on seeing game

[WCB]

as others have said...act like a predator you will be seen as a predator. Now obviously if they have no idea you are around...crawl, crouch, sneak whatever.

I have notices that if you keep doing what you are doing when spotted it buys you time. I was walking/joggin around the edge of a cattail slough while bowhunting trying to keep eyes on a buck that just went over a ridge. As I was jogging along out of the corner of my eye I saw a deer face and frame of antlers maybe 10yards bedded in the cattails. I kept moving forward past the buck got an arrow knocked, instantly stopped and started walking backwards. I drew my bow while walking and when I got even with the deer I anchored and shot him right in the chest. If I would have stopped or tried to crawl back in no way would that deer have stayed there.

Also, did it a number of times guiding. had the client(s) stack right in behind me and we angled towards animals (not directly at them). Closed the distance more times than not in wide open flat country that if we would have tried to crawl across all alarm bells would have been ringing.

 

[Roofer1]

From my tractor last year while I was cutting some clover. He stayed there eating in the adjacent field (as close as 20 yards) the entire time.

 

[*zap*]

Hiker behavior sure works for scouting where the deer are around here on public that has hiking trails....might work well firearm hunting earlier firearm seasons here.....but by regular firearm season it would not work.

 

[Kevin_t]

Everyone knows how predators behave. A few years ago, I had basically a herd of elk to myself for a few days in archery season. There were days a group of hikers would come within 100 yards or so of them, chatting etc and not phase the elk while they were bedded. I was the only hunter in the area. A few days later, the road sort of opened and there was access for ATV's and horses ... man those elk were out of there .. on private in short order.

 

[Rick M.]

This is an interesting thread. I recall an instance when I was still-hunting with my bow. I came upon a doe, and we saw each other at the same time, about 15-20 yards apart. I froze, she froze. I kept my eyes on the ground in front of her to avoid eye contact, and remained calm and still. After a bit, I slowly started my draw, and she bolted.

Contrast this with a doe I came across on a scouting trip - once we happened upon each other, we both just seemed to be calmly watching each other. I wasn't trying to be still or avoid eye contact, and I casually went for my phone for some pics. She just continued watching me, calm as can be, but aware. She never bolted away.

It's a strange dichotomy, but I feel like they just know. They're smarter creatures than we give them credit for. Sometimes I feel as if deer and elk also mark their calendars. The poster that commented about them being able to perceive predatory behavior is likely spot on.