Mexican Standoff ... Me and a Doe

[dave19113]

Well, I was finally able to get out again this week. It was the most perfect day. A cold morning, it was only about 40 degrees. Now before I get people chiming in about 40 not being cold, I know. For Virginia in October that is a little cool.

Anyway, I decided to take out my ’72 K magnum just because I don’t really take it out as much as I should. Plus it’s a blast to shoot. I was still hunting from the ground, which is what I do almost exclusively now because, to me anyway, it’s just so much more fun and exciting.
It always seems to take me about 30 minutes to “slow down” and really scan the woods for deer. Well just before the 30 minute mark I jumped a nice 6 point buck that had a good laugh as he effortlessly bounded away from me and off into the next county.

After that learning lesson I slowed my stalk to almost a slow crawl. About 5 minutes later I approached a section of the trail that slowly increased its incline until peaking to an almost vertical wall of rock and earth. The area was filled with large trees some as big as 10 feet in diameter. It was perfect natural cover to sneak from tree to tree. Did I mention perfect cover for deer also.

As I moved from one large tree to another I caught the flicker of brown ears flopping around. I was about 5 feet from the next tree when I saw the head attached to those ears turn toward me.

Yep, busted!!! Or maybe not. I was about 40 yards away; too far for a shot. I just froze and decided to see what happens next. The doe, about a 3.5 year old was focused on me. She was alert but more curious. She could not tell what I was and it made her even more curious.  I tried to slowly walk forward. I have done this in the past and realized if you walk very slowly most deer cannot tell depth and sometimes can close the distance enough to open up a shot opportunity.

This went on for about 5 minutes. I only gained about 5 yards; still too far for a shot and now she was facing me head on. The wind was swirling so I figured it was only a matter of time before she winded me then bye bye.  She began to snort and stamp her hooves. I just froze and wanted to see her next move. Now here is the part I have never seen before. She began mock charges at me! Only advancing about 5 yards or so then retreating.

She did this for maybe a half dozen times. After seeing that this was not producing any results she went to my left at a slow trot.
I thought it was so wild to see this. Has anyone ever seen this type of behavior out of deer?

[imhntn]

I have had them run up and kick at me when predator calling but never in the type scenario you mention.  Very interesting indeed.

[swampdrummer]

I had one last year run at me and come up on her hind legs.She is a big, at least 3 year old Piebald doe and kind of the leader of the pack around here. I see her regularly and have had shots at her but to me, shes just more fun to watch. Plus some legends say its bad luck to shoot a piebald. The surrounding land owners must feel the same way because she keeps showing up, year after year.
At any rate. I was sneaking around a bunch of palmettos and as my head cleared the corner she, and 5 or 6 other does were out in the cleared field about 60 yards away. She took off running directly at me and at about 20 yards came up on her hind feet. Front feet punching the air. She did that a couple of times and then ran back to her group, then they all took off across the field and into the swamp.

[Tajue17]

did she have a young one around?  did she keep looking somewhere else other than at you?

swampdrummer;  not sure but I think thats called Flailing,,  but I wonder if they get close enough doing that could someone grab their front hoofs and then sweep thier hind legs out from under them.  then once down rub your hand all over its nose like a human scent sanchez and then a good slap to the rump and let them go... bet it would NEVER approach another human doing that..

[team fudd]

Tajue 17 , just laughed till I cried!

[dave19113]

Originally posted by Tajue17:
did she have a young one around?  did she keep looking somewhere else other than at you?

swampdrummer;  not sure but I think thats called Flailing,,  but I wonder if they get close enough doing that could someone grab their front hoofs and then sweep thier hind legs out from under them.  then once down rub your hand all over its nose like a human scent sanchez and then a good slap to the rump and let them go... bet it would NEVER approach another human doing that..

Thats what I thought at 1st about a yearling... No she stayed eyed on me.

[WESTBROOK]

swampdrummer; not sure but I think thats called Flailing,, but I wonder if they get close enough doing that could someone grab their front hoofs and then sweep thier hind legs out from under them. then once down rub your hand all over its nose like a human scent sanchez and then a good slap to the rump and let them go... bet it would NEVER approach another human doing that..

...my money would be on the deer, and someone else would probably get their nose rubbed and rump slapped!    

Eric

[Trad-Man]

I take it this was a Mexican deer?

[Trad-Man]

I had a doe chase my shorthair one winter.  He was interested in playing with her fawn.  She didn't like it.  She bumped his butt with her nose and tried to flip him.  He turned around and squared off.  She flung her front hooves about and he danced around her like a prize fighter barking and yapping having a grand old time!

LOL...she turned and ran the opposite direction the fawn went.  He follwered her till I called him off.  I wish I had it on video tape.

[swampdrummer]

Tajue. How about you try it and let me know how it works out for ya!    :D   LOL