What to do if you surprise a deer, what signs to look for if they are going to attack?

Question

I live near woods, and there is a trail that I, and many others, like to jog or ride bikes on. However, this year there are sooooo many deer. The other day I went runing into the first part of the trail, well, some deer were there and I scared them. They ran and then stopped and stared at me. Every single time I run on this trail I see deer, they are not far from me either. I find that they are often about 5 feet from me, just staring or slowly walking away. I get nervous to pass them, and the trail does not allow for many places to run if I should need to get away fast. One time, a deer was staring at me and began stomping his front hoof in the dirt, as if he was getting ready to attack. He eventually ran away. Another time, I came home during the day, to find about 3 big deer in my front yard. I got out of my car and calmly walked past them and inside. I was about 3 feet from them, they just stared. I am afraid to go running for fear that I will scare one and cause it to react. What signs should I look for and what do I do if this happens?

Answer 1

deer attack?

Answer 2

There are deer attacks,there rare but they do happen,the time you have to worry about is in November when the bucks are rutting,they get very territorial,the problem in your situation is that the deer have no fear of man,that's not good,so your concerns have some foundation.theres a couple of things that can help you here,the rutting season in Michigan (I'm in Mich.also)usually starts in late Oct.and runs heavy until Dec. try and stay out of the woods at that time,another is to support the efforts by those who wish to start a hunting season in your area,they will help thin the herd and also inject a healthy dose of fear into the deer.To have a deer approach you is very abnormal so I think you have every right to worry

Answer 3

the foot stomp is just telling other deer to watch out. it seems the deer in that area are not likley to attack since they realize what a human is and they are not going to harm them.

Answer 4

G'Day mate I'm from australia so i don't know whats it's like up there,we do have deer here a lot bigger  than yours, but i would shoot them or get a pet bear lol cheers mate

Answer 5

They're in herds, not packs. And they attack so rarely that there's no point in thinking about it. If they stop and stare, it's because they're trying to be still, thinking they may not be seen. If they try to slip away, that's exactly what they're doing. In either case, you have nothing to worry about. The stamp of the foot, by the way, is not an aggressive move. They do that to see what your intentions are. As you've noted yourself, they generally want to run away, at least a short ways.

Answer 6

Where you are no one must hunt deer and so they've not learned to fear Man.  No problem.  Make noise to spook them off.  Blow your car horn before getting off.  Throw rocks at them.  Yell 'BOO' real loud.  Jump up and down.  Deer are not confrontational with Man.  Just spook them off.  But tell, how come no one is deer hunting where you live???

H

Answer 7

not to be mean or anything but just because the deer stomp the ground don't mean anything. I've already scared a deer while being up in my tree stand and they ran like 10 yards and then stoped and stomped their foot. Idk why but they just do that sometimes. Kinda like when they lower their heads, their still looking at your their just wanting to act like they arnit, their just waiting for you to make a stupid move( well if your hunting them)

Answer 8

These deer are not stomping to indicate a charge.  They are communicating a possible threat to the other deer in the are.  They may also be trying to get you to reveal yourself more (maybe they do not see you very well in the brush or low light), so they can identify you.  They may also snort loudly (like a wheezing sound) for the same reason.  This can be startling if you have never heard it before.I have had hundreds of deer stomp at me, and I have never heard of anyone being attacked.  That said, deer are not defenseless creatures like certain media outlets would have you believe.  If you feel threatened, avoid the times they are most likely to be out; early morning and dusk.  Some diseases will cause fearless and other odd behavior.  They should run away if you yell at them.  If they don't run, maybe you should call your local game warden and advise him of the situation.  I doubt a healthy wild deer would attack you.  Are people feeding them nearby?  That could be a whole other matter.

Answer 9

when they put their head down but still look at you, snort or dig at the ground. if they charge you put a tree between you and the deer, or climb it. but dont worry deer attacks are rare. just keep some room between you and them, and you should be fine.

Answer 10

buy a rifle, scared deer taste good.

Answer 11

Where do you live in the Zoo?  Its weird to be that close, within touching distance??  Wow, my husband would love  that when he is hunting.  Don't worry the deer are more afraid of you than you are of them.  Its rare for them to attack usually durning the rut (Mating season) is when that is more likely to happen but generally they are afraid of you but curious.  Just make some noise and they will probably run off.  When they stomp their feet they are usually curious on whats going on around them, if they snort they are just warning the other deer around them.  Where state do you live in?

Answer 12

Yes, the deer population has gotten out of control in some areas. In particular the Stoney Creek and Paint Creek trails are over run. The deer are tame, they won't bother you. Hopefully, they will have another hunt this fall. In 2002 Metro Park rangers hunted deer at Stoney Creek with a goal of killing 220 deer in that park. It's a big park, but it's not big enough to support that kind of deer population.