The barrel of my .308 is a dull stainless steel and I never gave much thought to if a deer could see it or not. I have used if for years and never thought about its lack of camouflage. The other day I went shoot a doe with the pistol and she busted me at 50/60 yards. I had my binoculars on her moments before and she was calm, when I started to bring up the gun she was all over me before I could get it steadied on the rail she was gone. The pistol is a polished stainless steel so I has more of a shine to it. Perhaps I can use this as an excuse to buy another pistol??.. Any thoughts on the subject?
quote:
Originally posted by Flat BottomThe barrel of my .308 is a dull stainless steel and I never gave much thought to if a deer could see it or not. I have used if for years and never thought about its lack of camouflage. The other day I went shoot a doe with the pistol and she busted me at 50/60 yards. I had my binoculars on her moments before and she was calm, when I started to bring up the gun she was all over me before I could get it steadied on the rail she was gone. The pistol is a polished stainless steel so I has more of a shine to it. Perhaps I can use this as an excuse to buy another pistol??.. Any thoughts on the subject?
Sabalo 21 150 Yamaha
Key West Stealth 150 V-max (SOLD)
I’d guess she heard you before she saw your pistol. I’ve watch our deer get restless when my dad is more than 300 yards away on the golf cart. Deer sight is amazing, but there sense of hearing is beyond belief. As to smell, yes they have a good sense of that, but I’ll go against the grain and say sent isn’t as important as strange sound.
Had a brushed satin finish stainless rifle once. Spooked a few deer with it when sunlight flashed off the barrel. I just wrapped black electrical tape around the barrel, which cured the problem.
Duracoat it. Dont have to worry about rust also
Scout 185
My old 25-06 had a glossy finish on the barrel that was a bit shiny for my taste. I wrapped it in a camouflage tape. Much more discrete cover it up or get a new gun.
First, Most, Biggest
My main hunting rifle is a beautiful Remington 700 with a shiny walnut stock and a high gloss barrel, have yet to have an issue.
I think you’re giving the deer too much credit…I have a stainless barrel and haven’t had an issue. I’ve had the crosshairs on a deer at 25 yards and it never saw me. To each his own; if you feel better covering it up, then do it.
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire
Think back about how fast you moved when you drew that gun and did you make noise doing it! Deer, like any animal will spot movement faster than anything! Noise, associated with movement is what probably triggered her response!
It wasn’t the gun, it was the hunter. She caught your movement probably more so than the shine on the gun out of her peripheral vision. When she turned and focused she probably saw something that didn’t belong, your profile, the gun etc.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
Deer don’t know to be afraid of stainless. Rain drops or dew on a leaf are shiny. Probably more so than the rifle. Like Easy and Saltydog said, it’s movement that they pick up on. I’ve hunted for years with a stainless Ruger, don’t think the stainless ever mattered one way or another.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
Yep, slow down and don’t let the addrenalon(SP) take over! Not saying you did, but slower, is better as you know!
I had an uncle that I hunted with a lot growing up, 3 tour Marine Veteran of Nam, he always told me “slow is fast and fast is a F-up”. He didn’t mince words, that philosophy kept him alive in the jungle, works for deer hunting too.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
She caught movement, not the color or finish of your firearm. While deer do have have very “tuned in” senses, like 23 said, I think you’re giving the deer a little too much credit to think the finish of your firearm got you busted. Brushed finishes are “brushed” to avaoid things like glare from the sun. It’s a very flat, low-reflective finish. Remember, deer don’t see/interpret color/finishes the way humans do.
Earn it everyday
If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.
Never shoot a large caliber man with a small caliber bullet.
I just found the whole situation rather strange, I had been watching her with the binocular on and off for 30-40 min, took a couple pics with the cell phone, put the rifle scope on her head to make sure she didn?t have any nubs, put on my ear muff on. After all that I raised my pistol that was sitting in my lap. So out of all the movement I had done putting the pistol on the rail was the least. I didn?t even have time to cock the hammer and she bolted. Not even a curious moment where she froze and looked at me or barked and stomped. She just looked up and took off.
Sabalo 21 150 Yamaha
Key West Stealth 150 V-max (SOLD)
Something else may have spooked her:question:
As some have already said, don’t give to much credit and something behind you may have spooked her. Also, once you put those muffs on, you could have made a noise that you didn’t notice.
Also, if a turkey could smell like a deer, would be near impossible to kill with a shotgun.
Thats hunting, been busted plenty of times.
NN
Word to the wise, if you want to shoot it, shoot it when you have the first chance. The more you screw around the more opportunities you give it to use its senses.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
What pistol are you gonna take a deer with? I’ve sat a few times with a 10mm but never could get a shot that I was comfortable with.
Wadmalaw native
1999 16’ Bentz-Craft flats
1994 16’ Bentz-Craft flats
15’ Alumacraft, 1979 35 Johnson
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I dont know how deer see silver but I doubt it blends in with green-brown-black. Its much easier to see a light color like silver cross dark colors than it is dark on dark.
Do you wear camo? Then your gun should too.
First, Most, Biggest
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Do you wear camo? Then your gun should too.
No. Not usually. I’ve killed more deer in old blue jeans and t shirts than in camo. Yall give deer way too much credit. It amazes me that people will put on $200 worth of camo clothes, then put a fluorescent orange vest over them and and an orange hat, and think they are invisible. Deer are color blind. If you don’t move, they won’t see you, even in a clown suit.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper