A couple years ago in Illinois I was sneaking into my stand in the pitch-black of morning. I was intentionally going in extra early because I wanted to beat the buck I was hunting into his bed-room. I was quietly sneaking through the timber without the use of a flashlight because I could see well enough to navigate a path I knew well.

Without warning, a deer exploded from what seemed like 2 ft. away from me. I nearly soiled myself on the spot - it scared the hell out of me! This deer had to have been sound asleep, and didn't wake up until I was right on-top of it. Generally though, I think deer take cat-naps throughout the day, rarely falling into a deep sleep. I read an artical in D&DH about this same topic last year sometime. They had some pics of some bucks with they're eyes closed, and using they're racks as "kick-stands" for they're heads. Some cool pics if I remember correctly!

I have had a doe bed down in-front of me before and lay completely out on it's side, head down, the whole nine yards. Watched her change positions several times throughout the day and everything. Legs stretched out to the side like it didn't have a care in the world! This is the only time I've seen this though, generally they are bedded with they're heads in the up-right and ready to flee position!