Why would deer do this?

[bear bowman]

Saturday evening, I heard a load of commotion. Then I see a young doe followed by two adult doe and two more young doe.
The young doe that came out first approached one of the adults and the adult bucked like she was a rodeo bull which sent all the deer moving. She then laid her ears back and went at the young one like a freight train. Of course this sent the young one running. All the while the other adult and other two young ones disappeared into the thick stuff. Now the young one didn't go far and the adult just watched her. Then the adult went into the thick stuff also.
Minutes later the young one went into the thick stuff also. The commotion started again and out she came followed by the two young ones this time. then the same adult that ran her earlier came out again and the little one, looking scared out her mind stayed away.
It was definitely a doe. I didn't see any buttons on it's head. Any idea's?

[jonsimoneau]

I've seen them do this when fighting over a food source. Could also be she's trying to run off the little ones in anticipation of the impending rut.

[stonewall]

Hey my mom use to correct me when I was a kid too. I use to raise Lab's, I have seen the bitch correct the young ones more than once.

[VA Elite]

matriarch hierarchy....

[KentuckyTJ]

Trying to kick the young one out of the nest. I know some people that need to do that.

[Russ Clagett]

Yep....I've seen one mule deer doe standing next to another one and both were drinking at a water hole...then one kicks the crap out of the other one...

Perhaps it was not her fawn.

[LostNation_Larry]

I've seen a doe chase off last year's fawns when she was ready to drop the new ones.  I would not expect something like that this time of year unless it was rut related.

[damascusdave]

I get to watch deer behaviour all the time in my yard...they are not the friendly doe eyed creatures they are often portrayed to be...a dominant doe will kick and bite other deer just because they feel like it

DDave

[AZ_Longbow]

A new deer moving into the territory is when I have seen that happen. When there not part of the herd.

[RedShaft]

Most doe deer disperse in June. New home ranges. Like bucks do in early October.
Maybe it was one who needed to leave but didn't?

[achigan]

Young one might have lost its mama and wanted to gather...

[Jakeemt]

Probably a pecking order thing. Female deer have that just like the bucks. She was probably establishing dominance.

[mlsthmpsn]

I've seen a ma doe, with twins, do this to another youngster without it's ma around...could be an ensuring the survival of her genes thing, too.

[John Scifres]

Sometimes the younguns just piss momma off.  I've seen my wife take a run at my kids when they get ornery too.

[4runr]

Never have been able to figure out females.... of any species.

[bucknut]

I have seen this several times. It is usually another does fawn and she is the old matriarch doe.  Saw the same actions out of a 4 pt and a button buck 2 nights ago.  When mama showed up the 4 pt wouldn't even come near the button.

[flinthead]

Young bucks and does need to be shown how to show respect the elders. You see it in all animals , especally when they get to acting too big for their pants. Wont' be long til she runs them off to breed.  
Happens with humans too. Roy