Just from watching them I would say its a sign of danger. We can't shoot them so watch is all we do with whitetails.

A flag tells the other deer danger is near. Most of the time the does make a blowing noise when spooked also.

It means "get the heck out of here".

Another reason for the big white flag is to let you know you screwed up, see you later.Well maybe not.Been there done that.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

The whitetail flagging in the breeze is to &quot;wave bye-bye, you screwed up!&quot;
Actually it is a communication of danger to the other deer!

I know it is a signal for danger, but I aleays imagine them, saying &quot;kiss my white butt buddy&quot; as they haul butt for the next county!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

I think as a general rule people say that a hit deer will have its tail down. I watched a deer walk by me during gun season, and I let him go as he was walking right to a field my friend was hunting (I had a buck, he did not) so I was watching, and sure enough BOOM, Matt shoots, I see the deer's tail flying high! I waited, he came and got me, he hit it, it was dead about 50 yds from the shot. So they can have their tails stright up. To give you an idea, he hit the ground HARD about 10 yds from where I saw his tail up, struggled up and another 15 yds and that was it.

--Jim

I have to agree with you Dan B cause every time I see that tail raised up there hauling but in the oppiste direction.

Danger or warning sign to other deer in the area. I jumped one the other day while walking my dog. It was in this tall grass and I never saw her until she raised that tail and started bounding.

Lefty Llewellyn

Well I was watching a hunting show yesterday and saw several deer shot, I payed attention to the tail, and everyone that I saw on the shows that went any distance did not throw their tail up, I am not saying that this happens every time, but from what I saw every one that was hit kept thier tail down.

The Tazman