What Deer See and Why It Matters
Deer don’t see color like we do—they’re basically red-green color-blind but have sharp vision for blues and yellows. That blaze orange vest, to a deer, it looks like a dull gray—perfect for safety, not so great for staying hidden, according to Field & Stream. What will give you away? Blue jeans or gear with UV brighteners. Deer can see blues up to 20 times better than humans, making this a critical tip for any hunter hoping to stay invisible.
And it isn’t just color—deer are built for survival. Their eyes are packed with rods, have a reflective “tapetum lucidum” for low light, and they process motion about four times faster than we do. Add in nearly 300° of peripheral vision, and you have an animal that will spot your slightest movement before you even raise your rifle–although you have some leeway with the rut. Knowing how deer see could be the difference between a successful hunting story and a missed shot.
Check out this video by Deer and Deer Hunting for your own visual breakdown on deer vision:
Photo credit: Lynn_Bystrom from Getty Images
