I do judge people by their avatar, but only if they're advertising things I really hate. For example, if it's Twilight-related, I generally regard that person as someone to be avoided. Same goes for Lady Gaga or any other similar "artist". I'm very opinionated.

If their username is something like "Naziboy" and their avatar is a swastika I'll ignore them, but I'll give anybody else a chance?

I really don't stop by galleries that much. Sorry, it's the WORK I judge in a deviant's reputation. Sometimes, when there's something I'm looking for I do.

Guilty Sometimes it's their username or if their icon is a piece taken of their artwork

I've never really thought about this issue at all. I do know I am sometimes perplexed when somebody's avatar doesn't quite live up to the work at the other end or it's not even their own image but just an expression of something they enjoy like a favourite show or something. You've got me thinking about my own now - what do people think when they see mine? Oh no! Waaah!

i usually see someones work, and if i like it so much, i go look at the rest, but usually the icon is a little clipped piece or one of their art pieces

I look to the username + Sig + icon combo~
If the name is something like "kItTyxxPricesxx84038" and the avatar is badly resized and pixelates, it's not likely I'll click~ o_O

icons tend to be misleading, so i click regardless!

I end up judging people on their avatar say if I'm looking for a certain style especially when it comes to looking for drawing artists.. (dunno if thats the right term)

But yeah most of the time I end up checking out peoples galleries even without an avatar..

I never click on avatars just because of the avatar... D:
I tend to only look at peoples gallery if I see their work first, or if I talk to them. :3
So, do I judge based on avatar? Not really. I just see it as something to entertain, amuse, and entertain me.