Deer have very different vision compared to humans, so their perception and preference for colors is not the same as ours. Their eyes are optimized for detecting movement and seeing in low-light conditions rather than distinguishing colors. However, research has shown that deer are able to see some colors and they do have preferences when it comes to things like food plants. Understanding deer vision and color perception can help hunters, wildlife managers, and anyone interested in deer behavior.
How deer see color
Deer have dichromatic vision, meaning they have two types of color receptors (cones) in their eyes as opposed to three like humans have. This means deer see a more limited color spectrum compared to humans who have trichromatic vision. Specifically, deer see blue and yellow wavelengths but are likely colorblind to red and green. Their eyes are also rod-dominant, meaning they have many more light-detecting rods than color-detecting cones. This allows them to see well in low-light conditions but makes their color vision less vivid. Deer also have more cones concentrated on the bottom half of their retina, enhancing their ability to detect motion and changes in light contrast as they scan below for potential predators.
Deer preference for colors
While deer do not see colors the same way humans do, research indicates they do have some color preferences when it comes to food and safety. Here are some of the colors deer seem to respond to:
– Green – Deer associate green with edible vegetation and trees. Their eyes are adapted to be highly sensitive to the green-yellow wavelengths that are reflected by plants and foliage. This helps them spot food sources and approach them.
– Blue/purple – Studies show deer have a tendency to avoid blue or purple plants and objects. These wavelengths are not common in their natural environment. Unnatural blue/purple objects can make deer uneasy or extra cautious.
– Red – Deer are essentially color blind to red, so it does not stand out much to them compared to green. Red on its own is unlikely to frighten or attract deer. However, pairing red with blue/purple amplifies the alarming effect for deer.
– Orange – Deer have trouble distinguishing orange from green and red due to their dichromatic vision. Pure orange on its own does not seem to frighten or attract deer. But fluorescent orange can appear extra bright and unnatural to deer when combined with blue.
– White – Deer notice white objects that stand out against darker backgrounds. Their vision is attuned to detecting flashes of white from the underside of tails when other deer startle and flee danger. So white can initially catch their attention and make them extra alert.
How deer react to orange
Since deer cannot easily distinguish between red, orange, and green hues, the color orange by itself does not attract or repel deer. However, other factors impact how deer perceive and react to the color orange:
– Fluorescence – Fluorescent orange that glows or appears abnormally bright stands out more to deer compared to matte orange. Glowing orange eerily contrasts the natural tones deer are used to and can make them uneasy.
– Scent – Deer rely heavily on scent, so an orange object that carries human scent is more likely to alert and frighten deer away. Scentless orange generally does not faze them.
– Motion – Deer are very sensitive to motion so an orange object moving rapidly towards them can induce an instinctual flight response. Still orange objects do not inherently alarm them.
– Sound – Any foreign sound paired with orange can amplify its alarming effects. Deer are likely to flee orange combined with human voices, vehicle engines, gunshots, etc. Orange alone is silent and less threatening.
– Prior experience – If deer have had negative experiences with orange-clad hunters or vehicles, they may learn to associate the color orange with danger. Without prior negative experiences though, orange itself means nothing to deer.
Orange safety vests
Hunters commonly wear bright orange safety vests and hats so other hunters do not accidentally shoot them. How do deer react to these fluorescent orange garments?
While the bright color initially catches the deer’s attention, the orange vest itself does not scare the deer – so long as the hunter remains still and quiet. The deer may cautiously stare for a few moments trying to discern if the orange is part of foliage or threat. But the silent orange alone will not make the deer flee. Any rapid movement or scent will override the orange and cause the deer to bolt. So deer only startle to rifle-orange if it is paired with human odor, noise, or motion. Quiet rifle-orange helps hunters remain safely concealed and avoids spooking deer.
| Scenario | Deer Reaction |
|---|---|
| Hunter wearing orange vest stands still | Deer notices but continues grazing |
| Hunter waves arms while wearing orange vest | Deer startles and runs away |
| Hunter wearing orange vest moves slowly | Deer stares cautiously but holds ground |
| Hunter wearing orange vest talks loudly | Deer snorts and flees |
Hunting tactics with orange
Since deer do not innately fear the color orange, hunters can use it to their advantage:
– Safety – Wear fluorescent orange so other hunters know you are human, not game. This prevents dangerous mishaps. Just avoid excess motion.
– Herd direction – Placing an orange marker opposite from your stand can attract deer attention and focus their movement towards your ambush site.
– calling – Using an orange hat or bandana to mark your calling position makes you more visible to other hunters but does not affect deer response.
Again, orange only alarms deer if paired with human odor, sound, or movement. By minimizing these, hunters can capitalize on deer indifference to orange.
Deer vision compared to human vision
| Vision Attribute | Human | Deer |
|---|---|---|
| Color receptors (cones) | 3 types | 2 types |
| Light receptors (rods) | Fewer rods | Many more rods |
| Field of vision | 180-200 degrees | 310 degrees |
| See color red | Yes | No |
| See color green | Yes | Partial |
| See color blue | Yes | Yes |
| Night vision | Poor | Excellent |
| Motion detection | Good | Excellent |
Conclusion
Deer do not see or experience color the same way humans do. Their dichromatic vision makes it difficult for deer to distinguish between red, orange, and green hues. While they notice orange due to its brightness, the color alone does not frighten or attract deer. Their reaction depends on if the orange is paired with human scent, sound, or movement. Fluorescent orange safety vests help hunters be visible to other hunters but generally do not alarm deer. Understanding the limitations of deer vision can help us avoid spooking them with colors while hunting or observing them. When it comes to deer preference, they are attracted to the greens and yellows of edible foliage – not so much the color orange.
