Can "they" hear me? Do "they" care?

[Naphtali]

Many people use mechanical analog watches. I, for one, have never owned a digital watch. What I had and have on my person were watches that "clicked" between one and eight times per second, which brings me to me query, . . .

My hunting area is heavy, dense forest. Shooting range for white tail and black bear is within easy round ball muzzleloading distances. Elk are in the same general area but are thousands of feet higher and much less tolerant of disturbance — they'll disappear into the remainder of Lolo National Forest, to be seen perhaps three months later. Does the "clicking" of my watch signal animals, not just game animals in season, that something is in the area that is strange and therefore dangerous?

Such regular monotonous clicking will probably lose being noticeable within a short time. But how many legally "takeable" game animals are so alerted that they become invisible to my sensenses or leave the area?

 

[Ed C.]

If you are questioning that, why not break down and get a $15 digital watch for your hunting trips? Get every possible thing going in your favor.

 

[Some_Mook]

Wildlife triggers on movement. The woods can often be a noisy place, so animals are less spooked by noise than you might think. In windy conditions, with a lot of movement going on, prey animals will be even more wary than when it is relatively quiet.

If you want to experiment during off-season, observe a deer or other prey animal and then deliberately make noise (cough or a short yelp) without moving. The animal will most likely freeze and look in your direction. As soon as you move, it'll run. If you stay quiet and still, it'll probably act nervous and walk away after a short while but the movement is what will trigger flight almost instantaneously.

 

[andy52]

Even my big ole' hunker pocket watches don't make that much noise. Personally, I won't worry about it.

 

[TDM]

Don't think your wrist watch will cause any problem. As @Some_Mook said, movement is the give away. While scent is very important, unless your wearing aftershave or using scented shampoo or laundry detergent, your scent or your watch won't do near the damage of a quick head movement.

 

[Ed C.]

I don't know so much about mammals but I do a lot of photography of very flighty birds, eagles, hawks and such, on their nests from a blind and while in the blind I can sneeze, cough or fire off the camera making clicking sounds and they could care less. Some times even make noise on purpose to distract them and no response. However, if I am within 1 or 200 yards of the nest trying to sneak through the woods they will circle me in alarm. There are plenty of wild pigs in the area. If I put on a black hoodie and walk hunched over to the blind, they are OK with that. So as others have said you're probably OK with the watch but if it worries you, leave it at home.

 

[64Springer]

Yes.

Animals, especially the ones with ears, can hear your watch from miles away.

This is why SWAT went to using digital watches. Gives them the edge on the bad guys during entry.

Can you, please, stop your watch. I'm trying to concentrate.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

Just get a Rolex Oyster for hunting and stop scaring away game!

 

[TDM]

I stopped wearing a watch of any kind about 30 years ago. But that's just me.

 

[Erwan]

Just get a Rolex Oyster for hunting and stop scaring away game!

The eternal choice between performance and elegance...
Did you know that a Jaeger-LeCoultre "Spherotourbillon" is far superior to a Rolex?
On the other hand, we always say, since one of our presidents a little show-off and spendthrift: "If at fifty, you don't have a Rolex, you missed your life"...
The choice is delicate, especially if you like precision or elegance or if you are not yet fifty...
The eternal choice between performance and elegance...
For hunting it is better to take a Jeager-LeCoultre: there is nothing quieter and no noise of motor step by step as with a battery watch, for hunting, it is better to take a Jeager-LeCoultre: there is nothing quieter and no noise of step by step motor as with a battery watch.
And when it comes to precision, a tourbillon escapement is the best of the best........ a bit expensive but the best......

 

[Stykbow]

If you’re getting close enough to game that they can hear your watch ticking you’re one stealthy son of a gun!

 

[Ed C.]

When it's light it's time to get started. When it's dark it's time to go home. When you're hungry, it's time to eat. Don't need a Rolex for that.

 

[ETipp]

I stopped wearing a watch of any kind about 30 years ago. But that's just me.

Hey now. A watch can be very conducive to killing big game critters. One time I had a big buck walk up near my tree stand, stopped, looked up and must have thought "now what is that ticking watch doing up in that tree". But alas, it was too late for him. I kilt the beast. Ever since then, I'm a frim believer in wearing a loud ticking watch while on a hunt.

In all seriousness, I am, in fact, adamant about wearing a digital watch especially while hunting. It is an essential piece of my hunting equipment that I rely on and has payed off more times than I can remember.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

The eternal choice between performance and elegance...
Did you know that a Jaeger-LeCoultre "Spherotourbillon" is far superior to a Rolex?
On the other hand, we always say, since one of our presidents a little show-off and spendthrift: "If at fifty, you don't have a Rolex, you missed your life"...
The choice is delicate, especially if you like precision or elegance or if you are not yet fifty...
The eternal choice between performance and elegance...
For hunting it is better to take a Jeager-LeCoultre: there is nothing quieter and no noise of motor step by step as with a battery watch, for hunting, it is better to take a Jeager-LeCoultre: there is nothing quieter and no noise of step by step motor as with a battery watch.
And when it comes to precision, a tourbillon escapement is the best of the best........ a bit expensive but the best......

There is no more durable mechanical watch available at any price than a Rolex Oyster. And it's quiet. The tourbillon which was developed to counter the effect of gravity on a pocket watch that sits all day in a pocket is a useless complication on a wristwatch, and of course fragile as the wings of a dragonfly. Useless folly for me but some like them a lot.

 

[Art Caputo]

There is no more durable mechanical watch available at any price than a Rolex Oyster. And it's quiet…………

Bought an Oyster back in 1985…….The only time it’s been off my wrist was for carpel tunnel surgery back in 2016. Never seemed to bother mature whitetails, moose, elk, varmints, African game, etc etc…Many at Close quarters…Still looks and functions like new! Perhaps my best investment!

 

[Uncle Miltie]

Bought an Oyster back in 1985…….The only time it’s been off my wrist was for carpel tunnel surgery back in 2016. Never seemed to bother mature whitetails, moose, elk, varmints, African game, etc etc…Many at Close quarters…Still looks and functions like new! Perhaps my best investment!

They are built like a tank and if you take care of 'em will outlast you.

 

[Daveboone]

I more than likely am wearing a Timex. Never a digital...I got over that novelty forty years ago. I have had multiple animals....bears, a lynx, deer of various ages, etc. within a couple yards of me, and they certainly were not aware of it, or me.

 

[Stykbow]

I more than likely am wearing a Timex. Never a digital...I got over that novelty forty years ago. I have had multiple animals....bears, a lynx, deer of various ages, etc. within a couple yards of me, and they certainly were not aware of it, or me.

I’m with you. I actually wear a Timex Expedition every day. Unless you can get close enough to hold it up to a deers ear they ain’t going to hear it.

 

[vintovka]

Whats a watch??

 

[64Springer]

I’m with you. I actually wear a Timex Expedition every day. Unless you can get close enough to hold it up to a deers ear they ain’t going to hear it.

Can't beat a 42 dollar woods watch.

They are loud but not THAT loud.