Whitetail "tail" question
 

This post relates to something that happened this weekend. I'm sure some already know the story.

I notice a nice 8 pointer in the field about 150 yards out while on stand the other night. He was eating honeysuckles but I thought he was getting ready to make a scrape. I was thinking licking branch at the time.[&:]Anyway, I make several grunts until I got his attention. He was definitely interested and he made his way around the field edge into the woods that I was in. The whole time he was in my area...he had his tail straight up. No, he wasn't peeing or pooing or running on high alert.:D

Is this a sign of dominance, anger, or curiosity? Never seen this before unless a deer was "relieving" itself or running away.

RE: Whitetail "tail" question
 

I always thought it was an alert state, kind of sign. But with the way he was acting, I don't know, maybe dual purpose alert/curiosity sign?

RE: Whitetail "tail" question
 

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. He certainly responded quickly when he thought there was another buck around. Strange.

RE: Whitetail "tail" question
 

On alert they will put it up but also flare it....

I've seen this behavior in bucks before, specifically when called. It's a stimulated response, Also, I've seen it straight out and pumping....that's a very good sign you've stimulated them. I'm no biologist but to me, like taking flight, they are just showing themselfs...look at me....here I am.....I'm not tucked...etc...

RE: Whitetail "tail" question
 

Makes sense Rob. Well, hopefully I'll stimulate some more later this week. It was a pretty neat experience even though it didn't end the way I had planned.:(

RE: Whitetail "tail" question
 

this weekend I had a doe fawn doing the same thing. she was feeding in my back yard and she let me get really close, like 30 yards, then she would put her tail up and take these really high steps like if to say "don't mess with me." but she was only like 6 months old, haha.