I would say alot of caution is learned as they get older but deer just like turkeys have some genetic trats at birth.
A fawn knows right away to be still and motionless at any sign of danger just as a three or four day old plout knows how fly up into low hanging limbs.

I would say that so much is bred in them but they get fine tuned over the years of hunting pressure.

so, is it the buck, or doe (or both) who carries the "smart gene" and passes it on?? I often hear of killing the smart does, are they smart because they're educated? or because they're born smart??Great Question Washington Hunter, wish i knew the answer.

But it also got me thinking, I'm a fawn (see left)...my parents are smart, and passed down the gene...but reading this forum for two (plus) years, i've learned much more (also learned from expieriances)..so my vote is for both [8D]..........kp

I believe that it takes a little bit of both here. There are whitetail bucks out there that will never grow huge racks. That's just how it is, the genetics just aren't superior. This has been proven by ranches all around the U.S. Deer are at the point now where they are being genetically engineered (to a degree). Why do you think people "cull" bucks. So much emphasis is placed on killing bucks with inferior genetics to get them out of the heard these days it's become an overwhelming debate in many hunting circles. But then again, bucks don't just get big all because of their genetics. Mature bucks in my neck of the woods get big because they have great genetics, and they have the ability to alude the hunters in the area. Most of the mature bucks shot in my area are smart, and it's tough to kill one because there just aren't that many around. The guys who really know their stuff in our area, generally get one opportunity at a mature deer in a year. ONE opportunity...and that's because the bucks here are tough to hunt. I'm not saying they're not in any of your guys' neck of the woods, don't get me wrong. My conclusion is that big bucks get that way because they've got great genetics, and they've learned how to avoid hunters. My 2 cents.

I agree that it is both a inherent AND learned trait. They continue to learn more every year. Dam smart critters!!! The thing they learn sooner than I want them to is that NOCTURNAL thing. Dam smart critters!!!

This thread just makes me ponder more and more why people believe that there's a HUGE difference between hunting does and bucks.

The doe gets FAR less credit than she deserves. She's no less smart (in my opinion) than her male counterpart...if we're talking same age structure.

I'd say both with a little luck along the way as the 3rd factor.

She also has a lot more support and protection since she's rarely alone, it's a lot harder to sneak up on a herd than a loner.

GMMAT..The main reason does are not thought of as smart, is because they are harder to distinquish, or tell apart from one another. Yes sometimes you can, but most times we don't look at them that closely..it's a doe so we scan for the buck, barely paying her much attention.

We see many doe and they become "dumb" because we keep seeing them..now granted it may be different ones and the big mature doe stays on the edge of cover or right out in the safety of the middle of the field.

What I'm saying is it's not the individual doe that is dumb..it is the re-occurance of seeing doe..that leads us to believe they are less wise.

We'll still think your a swell hunter when you whack 20 doe next year..you don't have to keep defending how cagey they are!

LOL...GR8.

I'm hunting does for one reason, this Fall. They need thinning. I'm not going to distinguish between the mature ones or otherwise. They'll be easier to kill......due to the numbers. I'm not fooloing myself with ANYTHING to the contrary.