Deer are known for their keen senses, which they employ to avert danger whenever possible. For the average hunter, success hinges upon the ability to beat these senses, thereby preventing detection. However, this feat is seldom accomplished without a keen understanding of a deer’s abilities, whether that be in regards to hearing, sight, or smell.
When attempting to understand the depth of a deer’s senses, many hunters question whether or not deer can see color. This is quite an intriguing question in its own right and one that is not as easily answered as one might expect. In fact, what colors a deer can and cannot see is quite complicated.
What Do Deer See?
Contrary to popular belief, deer do see color. However, deer interpret these colors in an entirely different manner than humans. Due to the makeup of a deer’s eye, many colors are not as easily distinguished from one another as most would think. In fact, deer are incapable of perceiving the colors red and orange. On the contrary, shorter wavelength colors, such as the color blue, are recognized quite easily.
In reality, there is evidence to suggest that deer can see and recognize the color blue to a far greater extent than humans. Some researchers even speculate that deer can see the color blue up to 20 times better than humans. Deer are also known to see much deeper into the UV spectrum than the typical human.
These sight characteristics are influenced by the distinct configuration of a deer’s inner eye. Previous studies have concluded that a typical deer’s eye contains significantly more rods than cones, enabling enhanced night vision. However, this comes at the cost of reducing color detection and recognition.
Of additional interest is that deer appear to have difficulty distinguishing between specific colors. Most notably, deer are red-green color blind, seeing no real difference between each. It is also currently unclear whether or not deer can correctly distinguish between varying shades of gray and tan.
Additional Facts About Deer Sight
There are several other key characteristics regarding a deer’s sense of sight outside of those mentioned above. Each of these characteristics is worthy of recognition by hunters due to the potential impacts they may have upon the results of a given hunt. Understanding a deer’s sense of sight is the first step to evading detection.
One of the most important factors for hunters to understand is that deer have an exceedingly wide field of view. Deer can analyze up to 300-310 degrees of their surroundings at any one time without turning their heads. This means that deer are only unable to see that which is positioned directly behind them.
Deer can also process and react to what they see much more quickly than humans. It is widely accepted that deer process images 2.5 times quicker in low light and 2 times faster in standard light than humans. This proves extremely valuable when attempting to avoid predators in a broad range of situations.
Additionally, it is widely excepted that deer can see to a much greater distance than humans, albeit in far less detail. This means that deer can pick out the finest movements, even at a great distance. However, that which is seen will be pretty vague. This is why holding completely still is a hunter’s best defense against being spotted by deer.
A deer’s eye also features a horizontally-oriented, oval-shaped pupil. The shape of this pupil is ideal for gleaning additional light at or below the level of the horizon but proves to be a limiting factor when looking above the horizon toward the skyline. However, to recognize predators at ground level, this irregular pupil shape proves ideal.
What Does This Mean For Hunters?
This information can be used by hunters when attempting to remain hidden from a whitetail’s watchful eye. Perhaps most importantly, one should remember that deer more than make up for what they cannot distinguish in color with their ability to identify movement, even at a great distance. For this reason, hunters should remain as still as possible while on stand.
It is also wise to avoid wearing clothing that features the colors blue or purple while on stand. Deer can easily recognize these colors against an otherwise bland background, making you stand out indefinitely. It also appears that the typical hunter orange safety vest is not readily visible, as deer do not see nearly as well within the orange/red color spectrum.
You should also avoid washing your hunting clothes in any laundry detergent that includes a UV brightener. Since deer can see well into the UV spectrum, clothes washed in UV brightener enriched detergents are easily noticed. It is believed that this excess UV causes garments to reflect a noticeable amount of white light or color when viewed by deer.
In most cases, a hunter will get away with much more movement when hunting from an elevated platform than when on the ground. This goes back to the fact that deer see much better at or below eye level than above it due to the distinct shape of their pupils. This likely explains the significant popularity associated with hunting from a treestand.
Does Camouflage Work?
With the latest research related to deer eyesight being widely published, many have begun questioning the true effectiveness of camouflage. In truth, the verdict is still out regarding how well camo hides a hunter. While it is likely that camouflage patterns break up a hunter’s outline, there is little evidence to support the notion that newer, high-definition camo patterns are any more effective than patterns of old.
This stems from the fact that a deer’s eyes cannot assess fine detail as that of humans. At the very least, you should understand that even the best camouflage is no substitute for sitting completely still and remaining patient on-stand.
FAQ
Q: What colors do deer not see?
A: Deer see colors differently from humans. Different wavelengths of light, such as orange and red, are most likely just shades of grey to them.
Q: What color is most visible to deer?
A: Deer eyes work differently. Avoid wearing clothing that features the colors blue or purple. Deer can see blue light (color) up to 20 times better than humans!
Q: Can deer see pink camo?
A: Deer can not see orange or red. Pink should also be outside their normal range of vision. Deer are less sensitive to long-wavelength colors such as orange, red, etc.
Q: Can deer see blue jeans?
A: Yes! Deer see blue much better than humans (up to 20 times better). It probably depends on the actual tone of blue, but they will be able to tell if you are wearing blue clothes.
Q: Why do hunters wear camouflage if deer are color blind?
A: Camouflage patterns break up a hunter’s outline, making it harder for deer to see you.
Q: Can red deer see Colour?
A: Deer can not see orange or red colors. This is because of the light wavelengths. Deer are less sensitive to long wavelengths such as orange or red.
Q: What color do deer see orange as?
A: Deer see red-spectrum colors and orange-spectrum colors as shades of green or just shades of color.
Q: What colors can you wear deer hunting?
A: Avoid clothing in blue or black color. Deer can see the color blue up to 20 times better than humans. Other than that, Almost any color is fine. Use camouflage patterns to break up your silhouette.
Q: What color should you not wear deer hunting?
A: Do not wear blue clothes. Deer can see short-wavelength colors such as blue way better than humans. Their color perception is focused on the blue spectrum.
Q: What color is hardest for deer to see?
A: Deer are incapable of perceiving the colors red and orange! Don’t be afraid to wear a blaze orange color.
Q: What color can deer see the most?
A: Deer can pick out blue exceptionally well! Avoid blue clothing. Deer can see blue light (color) up to 20 times better than humans.
Q: Can deer see hunter orange?
A: No. Deer can not see orange (or red)! They are red-green color blind. Feel free to wear blaze orange when hunting.
Q: Does camo help deer hunting?
A: Yes. Camo helps in so far as it breaks up your silhouette – blending you in with your environment. It does not make you “invisible” to deer. Deer cannot see the colors red and orange, but they can see blue very well.
Q: Can deer see navy blue?
A: Yes. Deer see the color blue up to 20 times better than humans. Navy blue is a short-wavelength color and falls within the blue spectrum that deer can see very well.
Q: What does blaze orange mean?
A: Blaze orange is a highly visible color used for hunting and safety. It is a man-made color created to be easily seen by the human eye.
