What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

My first year hunting (year 2000)- in New Hampton(Hampton Hills) Southern MN , I was hunting from the ground next to a big stump. It was early in the morning right at day break. I had to pee so bad I thought I was going to die. At the same time I was freezing to death. It was about 10-20 degrees out. I started to pee in a big gatorade bottle and along came a big doe heading right for me along the deer path I was along. Me, seeing my first deer ever when hunting almost had a heart attack. With my pants down I moved over to my shotgun(Slug Zone) and started to aim. The Doe looked up dieectly at me close to 50 yds with nothing to hide behind. It just stood there and stared at me for 20 mins and at the same time it was grunting and stomping at me. I thought for sure it saw me, but I was so still after about 20 mins it started to feed again and put its head down. I was right in front her. Anyways, I had some thick brush in my way and thought I would take a chance at her. I missed her but I had some obstacles. Oh well. My question is: What was the doe doing? did she see me? or was she just suspicious that something was not right?

Ron Starr

RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

If they don't smell you but see you thats the way they will act. She did not know exactly what you were. If she had got your scent you can bet the farm that she would have turned tail and ran.

RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

She knew something was wrong but she wasn't sure what. You did a good job standing still. When they grunt or stomp at you, they are trying to get you to move. I've had them do this before and it will drive you crazy.

RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

The jig is up . . . she knew something wasn't right but couldn't be sure what it was. The stomping and snorting serves two purposes; The first is to induce some movement but the second is just as important, she has secreted an alert musk from the gland between her hoves warning other animals in the area . . . especially the buck that hadn't come out of the brush yet.

Bowhunter

RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

Both replies are dead on. If they don't smell you and you do not move, they get nervous and stomp and the like. It is nerve racking to be still no matter how long it is, but they will usually if you are still continue what they were doing. That being said I did have a staring match with an old doe on year, that after over 15 minutes with a number of doe staying behind her she decided all was not well, calmly turned around and went back the way they had come.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

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RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

For sure you have been picked up somehow or another... Seen, Heard, possibly smelled, but more then likely seen... Not moving and not making eye contact is something I have tried and seems to work pretty good... That sucks though being caught with you pants down with the first deer ever... Although at least you will remember it... Good Luck out there....

RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

Thanks guys. I always wondered what was going on with her. It did drive me crazy! My adrenalene was flying and it was hard to sit still.

Ron Starr

RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

Starrman...WOW, 15 min is a very long time. Even tho she caught you with your pants down, you must have done something right or she would have been gone in a flash. All the above posts were right on, because it has happened to me on only a few occasions, but I have never had a deer do that for more than a minute or so, before either deciding everything was OK or not OK. Maybe she was interested in some gatorade?

RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

She loves you

RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

I've noticed that when they snort louder there are usually fawns that are finding hiding places. Of course Cardeer could be right and she was one lonely momma.

Dan O.

Edited by - dan o. on 10/03/2002 19:26:38

RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

i have also had several similar situations. however this last weekend i was bow hunting. about 2:30 i took my climber and headed in the woods, about half way up the tree i heard stomping and snorting from a deer in the brush. after a minute of that i heard it run about 50 yds away from me then it started making some loud whining noise. it was really loud and repeated several times then it left for good. didn't see any deer the rest of the day which is really unusual.

anyone had them make that whining scream?

Jason Root

RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

one weekend i was sitting in the woods relaxing early one morning and a doe and 2 fawns came within feet of me feeding...i was in full camo so i didnt get seen...she knew something was wrong and did that same thing and i didnt move and she feed right up the hill...i got busted when the fawns were playing and chasing eachother around and i tried to touch one! i was really close!...the next day i was doing the same thinng in the same area...a nice buck comes by...looking at me but he hadnt seen me yet...he stomped the ground and snorted...i was like ok maybe he wants to fight so i snorted and punched the ground like him trying to get him to think i wanted to fight but it scared him off so i think they are trying to see what you are...if you wait long enough they might not bust you....i thought it was kinda funny i was willing to fight a buck! lol glad thats not what he wanted i would got hurt!

RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

You got some great answers! next time just relieve your self as you would normally, forget the gatorate and keep the gun near you or in your other hand.

Our urine sent will not effect the deer.

KEEP HUNTING THE GREAT OUTDOORS & GOD ALIVE, PASS IT ON!

RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

NEVER . . . NEVER . . . fail to give Murphy's Law its due.

Bowhunter

RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

I agree with those that have said the doe suspected something was not right was trying to get you to move so she could verify what was there. Squirrels and birds drive deer crazy when they are on super-high alert. I do have a funny story related to this: A few years ago I was hunting on the edge of a steep drop-off and a doe came from below and started climbing the hill toward me. When she was about 30 yards away she saw me (I was on the ground in full camo)and got suspicious. She stomped her feet and stared at me for a long time, and I stayed frozen. She finally started browsing again and continued toward me, stopping to stomp and stare at me every so often. That doe walked up to within 5 feet of me and stared me right in my eyeballs. She was so close that I was afraid she might step on me or kick me if she got closer before she spooked, so I finally said "BOO!" Well, her eyes got so big they almost fell out of her skull and she jumped backwards about 8 feet...but she STILL didnt run! She stared and stomped at me some more...until I finally just stood up. That did it. I think she may still be running!
Still laugh when I think about it. Why cant a big 12 point buck do that?
SC

RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

She was pissed. she new something was up so she was letting it be known. She either smelled you or saw you.

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RE: What does it mean when a doe grunts-stomps at you?
 

Sometimes when a doe has you pegged, but cannot determine if you are truly a threat, she will pretend to feed, then snap her head up to try to detect motion. Other times they will stomp, snort and come to you, usually at an angle to try to get a "different veiw". Bucks will ocaisionally do the same thing, though not as often. Does are more concerned with their young, even if they've already been weaned. Bucks, only worry about themselves.

Most times, they convince themselves that its better safe than sorry, regardless of whether the detect scent or movement - and will retreat. Occaisionally, they will give the "alls safe" signal (a sideways flip of the tail) and resume their activity. Even then they will check back a few times while passing.