Stomping Deer, Bristled-Up Bucks, Running Bucks and Calm Deer

EDITOR'S NOTE: To know when to shoot, you must become a student of deer and their behavior, pay attention to the deer you're hunting and what they're doing and understand the moods and habits of deer.

Stomping Deer:
If a deer comes in stomping its feet, walking stiff-legged and snorting, you'll see the extreme nervousness of this animal and realize he may suspect danger. However, sometimes a mature buck will use this posture when he sees younger bucks or another buck about his same age that he wants to run out of his area. If the buck has his attention focused on another deer, often you'll have plenty of time to get the shot off. But if the buck stomps and looks at you, don't even blink. Many times a buck will stomp and blow when he spots you, and then calm down if you'll remain motionless. Remember that this buck hopes to see you move. So, wait as long as you can, let the buck get as calm as he can before you try, and then take the shot. More than likely if you try to stand to get off the shot, the buck will spot you.

Bristled-Up Bucks:
Look for the warring posture in a buck. Often you'll see this attitude of deer during the rut when a buck comes in bristled-up like a dog ready to fight. The buck's hair will stand on end, making his body appear much larger. He will walk stiff-legged and sway from side to side with his ears back. This buck hopes to find another buck he can harm.

You may see this posture when you use a grunt call or rattling antlers during the rut. This deer may give you plenty of time to shoot and usually won't jump because this buck has come to fight, not to flee. This buck will have a difficult time changing gears from an aggressive mode to a flight mode. Often you can aim where you want the arrow to hit and not have to anticipate the buck's jumping.

Running Bucks:
When bucks or does run into an area, they have come to that place for some reason -- to fight, to respond to distress calls or to see something they expect to find. If you use a grunt call, a bleat call or rattling antlers and the deer moves in quickly, more than likely you will have to shoot fast. When the deer arrives at the spot from which he knows the sound has come, the deer will expect to see what it has heard. If the deer doesn't observe what the sounds you have made have told the deer it will see, the animal will leave just as quickly as it has responded.

If you can hear the deer running in, ready your gun or your bow, and prepare for the shot before you see the animal. As soon as you spot the deer coming, prepare to shoot. Probably when the deer gets into range, he won't remain there very long for you to shoot. He'll act spooked when he doesn't see or hear what he thinks he should.

Calm Deer:
All of us who hunt deer want to find calm deer to hunt. You most often will see a calm deer the very first day of deer season in areas with little or no hunting pressure, in regions where no other hunter has hunted and/or at a time of day when no other hunter hunts. This deer will come in looking for food and rarely will look up. These deer will move and feed slowly, keeping their heads down for a long time. Even if this deer hears you move through the woods, probably it won't look up.

Also you'll usually find this deer very forgiving. If you miss a shot, most of the time a calm deer will give you a second shot. You will have plenty of time to aim on this kind of deer and often can wait for the best shot.

Usually a deer will exhibit this type of behavior at the first of the season in thick cover or in areas well away from hunting pressure. A deer demonstrating behavior like this feels safe and secure in the region where you find him. You can locate calm bucks even in high-pressure areas if you hunt in places where no other hunter hunts.

Take your time when hunting this deer. Wait on your best shot. This calm deer doesn't expect danger, and the animal will require more time to shift gears from calmness to fleeing.

Tomorrow: Paying Attention to Deer to Know When to Shoot