I Was Chased by a Mother Deer

thefootloosescribbler

I just got chased by a mother deer. It didn’t charge me, but it did pursue me. Here’s what happened:

I was hiking and taking photographs along a trail when I saw the mother deer and her fawn. The fawn’s spots were fading, so still young, but not quite a baby. Anyway, I took photographs while the mother grazed on shrubs. She paused to look at me every so often, but then resumed eating, so I thought we were okay. Then I went on with my walk.

After walking up the road another 1/4 mile, I turned back. The mother deer and her fawn had crossed the path to graze near a fence. I did not take photos but I did slow down to take a look. She didn’t like this and ran across the path, with her fawn following her into the bushes. I continued on. But I spoke to her, knowing she was nearby, and said, “Don’t worry, I’m not stalking you.” Evidently the only word she understood was “stalking,” because suddenly she burst out of her hiding place. I looked behind to see her cantering after me, ears back, with her fawn running to keep up. What the heck?!

I walked faster and looked back a couple of times. There were no coyotes or anything alarming her, so I was forced to conclude that she was definitely pursuing me! I thought it best to keep going and pretend I didn’t care. I could hear her close behind, but luckily she didn’t charge me. After a minute she and her fawn turned back into the shrubs.

Afterward I asked Gemini, can a mother deer get aggressive? The answer was “Yes. A mother deer can become aggressive toward a person if she perceives them as a threat to her fawn.” Gemini also said that a deer attacks primarily with their front hooves. They may even rear up on their hind legs and strike downward. Sheesh!

Gemini also recommended backing away slowly while maintaining eye contact. Don’t run. Well, I didn’t run but I did walk with my back toward her. I think that making eye contact and backing away might have set her off more, but we’ll never know.

Prior Deer Encounters

Once when I was walking on a narrow path in Washington State, I came upon a family of grown deer. They blocked my way and did not move. So I backed up, got two sticks and clacked them together to hopefully give them a chance to move away. They didn’t. I tried a couple of times but they stayed put and continued to stare at me. So I decided they knew a weenie when they saw one! I gave them a wide berth, even stepping out over a railing that separated the path from a highway.

My husband laughed when I told him this story. He thought I was exaggerating the threat. But one time when we were in Yosemite, we came up a path and there was a huge buck staring down at my husband, blocking his way. This mule deer had large antlers and looked to be in his prime. My husband faced him, thinking the buck would back off, but no way.  “Bill,” I said, “that deer is NOT moving.” So Bill made the right choice and backed down the path. We took an alternate route.

I read once that more people are hurt by deer in Yosemite Park than any other animal. Here’s an article if you don’t believe me.

I guess the more time you spend out with wildlife, the more your Disney illusions are shattered.

Clashing Antlers

This same day, I was lucky enough to witness two male deer clashing! There were a few other deer close by, so I think these two were part of a male bachelor group we’ve been seeing around the preserve. Now that Autumn is coming, these deer might be practicing or beginning to stake out their territory.

It didn’t look like a serious fight, but one deer definitely dominated the other.

I thought the fight had ended, but a minute later they were at it again. Since they had disappeared around the bend, I could no longer see them, but I could hear them. The clashing sound of their antlers made me feel like I was in my own private nature movie. And no one else had seen them. People walking on a nearby path were completely oblivious to the drama happening on the hillside. It was so cool.

So enjoy the deer, but don’t make them feel trapped. Give them the respect they deserve, and I’ll make sure to do that as well!