Learn to speak “Deer Language” Part 1 PreOrbital Glands

Written By:  Brandon Houston

It's relatively simple when you get right down to it! Unfortunately, most hunters do not know anything about how deer communicate. This can be from a lack of knowledge or falling victim to the urine-based attractant companies' marketing for the hunting industry.  

Let me be VERY clear! I’m not saying urine isn’t used as a means of communication, but urine cannot be bottled, put on a shelf, and used as a communication tool. The moment urine is exposed to light and oxygen; the pheromones are almost destroyed entirely! Let that sink in a bit… The truth is that white-tailed deer have seven glands; that’s how they communicate (their actual “language”). I fully intend to explain them all in detail but to keep this “short & sweet,” I’m going to take it one at a time.  

The Preorbital Gland is located in the small slit, just past the eye's tear duct. This gland produces a secretion containing pheromones and semiochemical compounds frequently deposited on twigs. In layman’s terms… when you find a scrape, you find a “licking branch” this is where a whitetail uses this gland. As they rub the small limbs across their face, the preorbital gland leaves behind a secretion that identifies them and relays their status to other deer.  

Knowing this, as a hunter, should get your wheels spinning! Understanding these glands, what they are saying, and how to appropriately respond is a game changer! TRHP Outdoors is the only company that allows you to respond with pure glands and speak “Deer Language.”   Deer communicate year-round.  I utilize Preorbital Spray on licking branches constantly all year.  If you want to keep deer on your property, this is an excellent option in your management plan.