Don't look them in the eye

phil mcwilliam · October 12, 2008, 03:24 AM

I was listening to a radio interview of an Australian aboriginal "Black Tracker". These trackers are legendary in being able to follow an animals tracks even through rocky desert country, & are still used by the Australian police for tracking people through the bush. An interesting point that he made when refering to hunting was never to make eye contact with the game that you are pursuing. I'd never really thought much about this, but interesting input from an ancient peoples hunting technique.

fbrown333@suddenlink · October 12, 2008, 03:57 AM

This is very true, once you make eye contact the jig is up and you are busted. The game at that point knows for sure you are looking

and will sense (if you will) the threat.(that damned sixth sense) At that point most times it is too late to do anything but watch them go bye bye at super sonic speed

especially an animal that has been shot at and missed before. JMO
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul.

Kreyzhorse · October 12, 2008, 08:30 AM

Quote:

An interesting point that he made when refering to hunting was never to make eye contact with the game that you are pursuing.

Totally correct. I've had several does literally walk within 3 feet of me when ground hunting. The key is, besides not moving, avoiding eye contact. When I have deer move in close, I always close my eyes but leave them open just enough to look at them through my eyelashes. The other thing I do is lower my head if possible and roll my eyes upwards. This doesn't give them a "normal" view of my face and eyes.

zahnzieh · October 12, 2008, 10:16 AM

Yeah, what is it about those mature does? Last night archery hunting saw a group of does cut across a field/marsh and sure enough "old mama" was out in front. Never travelled with the wind - at best at right angles to it. And once you get busted by one of those mature does you might as well move your tree-stand, she will remember!!

jdscholer · October 12, 2008, 12:53 PM

I think the 'eye contact thing" is important to all species, us included, on a deep primal level. It can mean several things, including danger, aggression, and even sexual availibility. Don't look em in the eye unless you want--oh never mind.

jd

hogdogs · October 12, 2008, 01:06 PM

I too, agree there!!!
I try to keep my head downward a bit and peek, having to move my eyes up slowly. Avoid actual eye contact at all cost. It is amazing the instinct these stupid creatures possess. I developed my knowledge of this working with dogs. Head held up high making eye contact can cause a dog of alpha mentality to attack and with a determination you likely ain't ready to defend against. Posturing like you are clueless of a game animals presence is best for keeping their guard down.
Brent

jdscholer · October 12, 2008, 01:10 PM

I'm also a big believer in hat brims, and especially head nets if ya can stand to wear them. If ya can't, it just makes it easier for those of us who can.

jd

fisherman66 · October 12, 2008, 01:47 PM

Ya'll are just plain weird.

Fremmer · October 12, 2008, 02:01 PM

I always wink back.

johnsodl · October 12, 2008, 03:49 PM

I do the Jedi mind trick...

"There is nothing to fear. You may walk this way. There is no scent in the wind for you."

Works wonders.

zahnzieh · October 13, 2008, 08:21 PM

Johnsodl, Are we talking about deer or women? If it's women, I would definitely not have the scent thing going!!

Byron Quick · October 14, 2008, 05:22 AM

I've never tried any 'mind' stuff with game.

I have with aggressive dogs, though. Put an image in my mind of the dog mangled in a pool of blood with the ends of broken bones sticking out through his hide everywhere. The dog whimpered, put his tail between his legs and slunk off.

I've taken an entire litter of nursing puppies off the teats of a Doberman bitch who had never seen me before using the same mind image technique. She cringed on the mat while I was taking those puppies.

So, this kind of stuff might work to some degree with wild animals, I don't know.

This stuff doesn't work with horses. They'll still run off a bluff to get away from a blowing leaf.

October 12, 2008, 03:24 AM	#1
phil mcwilliam Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2007 Posts: 573	Don't look them in the eye I was listening to a radio interview of an Australian aboriginal "Black Tracker". These trackers are legendary in being able to follow an animals tracks even through rocky desert country, & are still used by the Australian police for tracking people through the bush. An interesting point that he made when refering to hunting was never to make eye contact with the game that you are pursuing. I'd never really thought much about this, but interesting input from an ancient peoples hunting technique.

October 12, 2008, 03:57 AM	#2
fbrown333@suddenlink Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: West Virginia Posts: 240	This is very true, once you make eye contact the jig is up and you are busted. The game at that point knows for sure you are looking and will sense (if you will) the threat.(that damned sixth sense) At that point most times it is too late to do anything but watch them go bye bye at super sonic speed especially an animal that has been shot at and missed before. JMO They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. __________________ Accuracy over volume

October 12, 2008, 12:53 PM	#5
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	I think the 'eye contact thing" is important to all species, us included, on a deep primal level. It can mean several things, including danger, aggression, and even sexual availibility. Don't look em in the eye unless you want--oh never mind. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

October 12, 2008, 01:10 PM	#7
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	I'm also a big believer in hat brims, and especially head nets if ya can stand to wear them. If ya can't, it just makes it easier for those of us who can. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

October 12, 2008, 01:47 PM	#8
fisherman66 Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2005 Location: The Woodlands TX Posts: 4,679	Ya'll are just plain weird. __________________ la plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas!

October 12, 2008, 10:16 AM	#4
zahnzieh Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2006 Posts: 206	Yeah, what is it about those mature does? Last night archery hunting saw a group of does cut across a field/marsh and sure enough "old mama" was out in front. Never travelled with the wind - at best at right angles to it. And once you get busted by one of those mature does you might as well move your tree-stand, she will remember!!

October 12, 2008, 01:06 PM	#6
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	I too, agree there!!! I try to keep my head downward a bit and peek, having to move my eyes up slowly. Avoid actual eye contact at all cost. It is amazing the instinct these stupid creatures possess. I developed my knowledge of this working with dogs. Head held up high making eye contact can cause a dog of alpha mentality to attack and with a determination you likely ain't ready to defend against. Posturing like you are clueless of a game animals presence is best for keeping their guard down. Brent

October 12, 2008, 02:01 PM	#9
Fremmer Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 3,482	I always wink back.

October 12, 2008, 03:49 PM	#10
johnsodl Junior Member Join Date: July 13, 2008 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 12	I do the Jedi mind trick... "There is nothing to fear. You may walk this way. There is no scent in the wind for you." Works wonders.

October 13, 2008, 08:21 PM	#11
zahnzieh Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2006 Posts: 206	Johnsodl, Are we talking about deer or women? If it's women, I would definitely not have the scent thing going!!

October 14, 2008, 05:22 AM	#12
Byron Quick Staff In Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Waynesboro, Georgia, USA Posts: 2,361	I've never tried any 'mind' stuff with game. I have with aggressive dogs, though. Put an image in my mind of the dog mangled in a pool of blood with the ends of broken bones sticking out through his hide everywhere. The dog whimpered, put his tail between his legs and slunk off. I've taken an entire litter of nursing puppies off the teats of a Doberman bitch who had never seen me before using the same mind image technique. She cringed on the mat while I was taking those puppies. So, this kind of stuff might work to some degree with wild animals, I don't know. This stuff doesn't work with horses. They'll still run off a bluff to get away from a blowing leaf.