Excavator saves deer - GIF

[Frank S]

Addendum to previous post. I have several old trucks and other machinery stored in a field where deer frequently graze, particularly after I have mowed the high weeds exposing the tender grasses. The deer will graze right up to and around all of the equipment but if there is one machine that I have been working on recently and deposited my human scent or a chemical like oils grease or fuel they avoid coming near that item fer several days. There are a lot of city dwelling weekend hunters who come out and lease hunting rights from some of the local ranchers. Many wonder why the deer will not feed from their feeders. I had one ask me that very question. He said that he built the feeder and painted it with camo so it would blend into the surrounding area, and placed it near a known game trail but hadn't seen a deer all season. I almost laughed at the city dweller but contained myself and decided to offer an explanation without being too overly judgmental, well maybe just a little.
First off I explained wild animals by in large do not see colors as you and I do the exception will be some bird of prey. Animals do see in the infrared spectrum and many things give off infrared rays. Particularly fresh paint.Next they can detect odors that we do not realize even exist. They will become accustomed to objects after a period of time, and depending on that object it can take a year or more. You may have noticed the game trail you interrupted through your negligence by placing your feeder right next to it has probably changed or is no longer even used. If it has only altered perhaps if you leave your feeder alone for a year or so and don't relocated it every weekend as you said you have done this past season they may become accustom to its being there particularly if the the paint finally cures to the point it does not emit odors and infrared rays, but even if not eventually they will become desensitized. When you refill it try to keep any vehicular traffic in the area t a minimum. Do not handle the feeder with your bare hands or with new gloves or gloves that have any chemicals on them try to keep activity around the area to a minimum. and maybe just maybe next season you can get your silly trophy if that is what you are after, since this is a 1 buck county.I do not harvest deer and for the most part the only hunting done on my place is for varmints and only those which can endanger livestock or pets or could spread disease, or could injure my wife or myself.