Doe Behavior....I noticed something last night

[Roger Norris]

I was in my treestand last night, in a spot my Uncle Jack named "Bloody Ridge" because of all the deer my son and I have killed in a very small area. It's an oak ridge, and my stand is in a very thick pine, right at the saddle between 2 large swamps. There are ALWAYS deer moving through here, and this year the acorns are thick so they are feeding, not just traveling.

Anyway,close to dark (I actually had my haul rope attached to my bow, ready to sneak out) I heard a SNAP that wasn't one of the billion grey squirrels feeding nearby. I settled back down to wait out whatever it was....there was maybe 3 minutes of shooting light.

Right away a doe, a very large doe.....came walking through the saddle, feeding leisurely. She was not spooked in any way, and had her head down feeding most of the time. What was interesting was that as she walked, she would slam her front hoofs down, very loudly. Almost as loud as the "hoof stomp" we have all herd when we are busted.But I wasn't busted, and she wasn't alert to anything but the acorns she was happily crunching.I thought about a shot, but light faded as she came broadside, so I passed. If I can't pick a hair, I'm not shooting.

Soon thereafter, I heard more noise in the swamp, the sound of other deer moving quickly. Out of the shadows came 2 little ones. I could only see body size at this point, and they were tiny. They joined the big doe.

So my observation is this: That doe was making noise on purpose, foot stomping as she fed so her fawns knew where to find her. They must have got separated somehow. Something to keep in mind....a doe making what seems like unnecessarily loud noises is probably doing it for a reason.

[Gator1]

Roger thank you.

Very cool observation. This is what makes hunting fun.

   

[Bonebuster]

I too, have heard and seen them do this before Roger.

I always figured it was a way for the fawns to easily gauge how far away momma is getting. Maybe it`s easier than producing a bleat when your mouth is full of acorn hulls.  

I noticed this a long time ago, and after you mentioned it, I realized it has been years since I have noticed them doing it.

Good luck Roger, cooler weather is coming.  

[RedShaft]

Very neat. I'm sure you are spot on with your guess.

[Wolfshead]

Thanks Roger
This is one of the many things I love (and need)  about this site, the Sharing of experiences and information.
That is very interesting to know

[ron w]

Amazing animals.......

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Maybe she was telling them "coast is clear"  just a thought.  definitely neat critters.

[John146]

Neat! Thanks for sharing that Roger. I have never witnessed it but the different ways animals communicate with each other is always fascinating.

[LB_hntr]

Very interesting.
Thanks for sharing.

[johnnyk71]

interesting observation!

That's vcool! I don't think I have ever seen that.

Bisch

[Burnsie]

Maybe she was pre-crushing the acorns for easier eating.

[Pine]

Wow , Thanks for that info .

[Rustic]

Good observation, it makes sense...

[Looper]

I watched the very same thing just the other evening.

[Roger Norris]

Originally posted by Cyclic-Rivers:
Maybe she was telling them "coast is clear"  just a thought.  definitely neat critters.

I'm betting that was it. Good thought.  

[VictoryHunter]

I've seen this too, they do make quite a racket with the fawns in tow.

[Charlie Lamb]

While I don't discount the noise element we should consider that deer also communicate through ground vibration. The interdigital hairs between their toes (how's that for redundant)are very sensitive to vibration.
Rabbits also communicate this way.

[Roger Norris]

That's interesting Charlie, and could be the case.

I have seen a LOT of deer on this ridge...without exaggeration, well over 100 encounters per season, and we have owned it since 1990....It is a very interesting spot when the acorns are thick. During lean years, it is just a travel route. For whatever reason, it is also the FIRST place we get rubs, scrapes, and chasing. It also has a very forgiving wind pattern. Only still, damp days (when the scent kinda just flows on the ground) are bad on Bloody Ridge
.

[Thumper Dunker]

That's cool stuff.