i have had deer do funny things at times, especially when i am not hunting. at times it seems they know you arent going to hurt them; perhaps our posture or some other part of body language they pick up on. i also know that when i am hunting, if i look at a deer too long, they seem to 'feel' your stare. and then other times it is totally different. the only thing i know for sure with whitetails is nothing is for sure.