Originally Posted by
Windwalker7
Why deer foot stomp
We all know deer have several glands on their body. Between the hooves is a gland called the interdigital gland. This gland helps deer smell where another deer walked. It is also used to warn other deer of danger.
When a deer stomps its foot, it releases an extra amount of scent. This extra amount of scent warns other deer that there may be danger in this area.
If a deer stomps its foot by your stand and then runs or walks away, this scent is left behind. Whenever another deer approaches this same spot, even if it is hours later, it will know there is something wrong in this spot. It will be extra alert.
That is why a deer stomps its foot.
Interesting.
I did have an interesting encounter where a doe stomped her foot and eventually snorted and bolted...but two days later when hunting the same stand this same deer came back in (I knew it was the same deer because she was with the same yearling as before). So another question becomes how long an area remains "busted"...I'm sure it would depend on the type of deer (doe/young buck vs. and older buck).