Communication is the key form of interaction with species; deer use stomping. Like other animals, deer have used their way of communicating, but one that hunters have noted is the stomp.
Deer stomping happens when a deer deliberately picks up its front hoof and snaps it down. Such a gesture produces a clunking or scratching sound, depending on the surface. Moreover, stomping has different meanings that depend on the situation.
Therefore, hunters and non-hunters need to understand the purpose of deer stomping before making a move. Generally, the purpose of stomp is to alert other members of the herd. Likewise, it also means that it will run away if you move.
Let us stomp in to learn more about this phenomenon.
Why Do Deer Stomp Their Feet?
Stomping is the most used and famous non-verbal communication gesture used by deer. However, there are numerous messages associated with it, which depend on the situation at hand.
One of the messages to deliver while stomping is to alert other members if any danger lingers around. Stomping also makes the predator aware of the fact that the deer is aware of the approaching danger. Thus, communicating both danger and members to stay alert and make a move if required.
Furthermore, few hunters suggest that deer also stomp when they are excited. Although they use other means to express joy, stomping is also one of them.
What Does It Mean When Deer Stomp Their Feet?
The main purpose of deer stomping is to communicate with other deer of an approaching threat. It is one of the bluntest non-verbal cues for alerting the herd.
Here are a few messages that a stomp carries.
What It Tells the Herd
Look out is the message to the rest of the herd when a deer stomps. The stomping deer is alerting other members of the herd that it has noticed something fishy. However, it is not sure what it is, and it is not the time to run away. Still, the herd was on high alert once they heard a stomping.
Moreover, you should have noticed that all members of the herd usually look up when they hear a stomping.
What It Tells You
When the deer spots you, it tells you it sees you, and any further movements will result in them running away. Interestingly, deer bluff by stomping. Although, you may consider abandoning your hunt after noticing a stomp. However, it is not necessarily that deer have actually spotted you.
Since deer have strong senses, there are chances it has noticed something else.
What It Doesn’t Mean
Many hunters mistake stomping as an aggressive gesture as if a bull does. However, deer are not violent animals, and stomping never means that they will pose any danger.
Why Do Male Deer Stomp Their Hooves?
Deer stomping also depends on the sex of the deer performing it. When a male deer during spring or summer, it means to alert others from an advancing predator. Moreover, buck stomping also suggests that they are relaxing.
Here are key messages conveyed by a male deer stomping.
Asserting Dominance
During the rutting season, bucks stomp to assert their dominance over their territory. Generally, a strong male deer will stomp to warn submissive bucks to leave the area.
Likewise, when two dominant bucks meet, they stomp to warn others of the territory breach warning. It transmits a message of toughness to other male deer.
Moreover, bucks stomp when they enter a new territory without actually seeing a rival. It is to let any buck listen that the new big man is on the campus, so face me if you have a problem. Therefore, male deer stomping is an invitation to fight to establish dominance.
Tending Does
Bucks stomp to acknowledge the presence of their favorite doe. If they see a doe that is going to estrus, he will follow her in a behavior described as tending. In following her, he will stomp his hooves to inform other bucks that she is taken.
Why Do Female Deer Stomp Their Feet?
Female stomping is primarily for the herd. Since they are extra cautious, significantly when they have fallen their fawns during summer and spring. Therefore, a slight whiff will put her on high alert.
However, older female deer who do not have fawns of their own also stomp. It is also to set a danger alarm for the rest of the herd. Therefore, female stomping triggers the danger alert and informs the herd to take preventive measures for their fawns.
Deer Stomping, Snorting And Blowing: What Does It Mean?
Although hunters do not like stomping, snorting and blowing are even worse. As deer stomps when it senses danger, but the next step of snorting and blowing confirms the danger. Therefore, snorting or blowing is to set the alarm for other members of the herd that danger is confirmed and now run for your lives.
However, snorting and blowing represent the same deer sound. However, blowing is louder than snorting.
Deer Stomp and Snort
If you are out on a deer hunt, you might listen to a snort, and off goes your hunt; because the herd would certainly run away. Moreover, deer snort and stomp at the same time because you have been spotted. Moreover, stomping also confirms the presence of an entire herd.
So, you must be extra careful when you see a deer stomping or snorting, as it is a make-or-break situation for the rest of your hunt.
What to do when a deer stomping
Many hunters get confused when they see a deer stomping. However, the best strategy is to stay calm and maintain your position. Since the deer is a peaceful mammal, thus, making a move after they start stomping will harm your objective.
As stomping is letting you know that you are spotted, thus, stop moving. Further, observe whether stomping stops or converts into snorting.
Therefore, stop moving and talking when you see a deer stomp.
How Do Deer Show Anger?
Although many hunters consider stomping as an act of anger, this is not correct. Deer show anger when their head position is turned thirty degrees from the adversary. A make buck would advance through sidling steps by keeping its head erect.
Likewise, it would raise its neck and hips to convey that it is angry.
How Do You Tell If a Deer Likes You?
It is quite easy to understand whether a deer likes you or not. Generally, a deer would swish its tail side-to-side to let you know that it likes you. Moreover, you can also observe from the deer’s relaxed body movements that it is in love with you and does not see you as a danger.
What Does It Mean When a Deer Nods at You?
Deer only nods at a person when they feel a great sense of belonging. Therefore, nodding is a positive gesture as it approves of your presence. Moreover, deer usually get friendly without much effort. So, if you spend some fun time with them, you can get a nod.
Other Kinds of Deer Non-Verbal Communication
Deer communicate through numerous non-verbal communications other than stomping and snorting. Let us discover a few more of these in the coming lines.
Body Hair Standing Up
During rut season, when two male deer face off, their body hair gets stiff, and stands up. It is a sign of anger and aggression. Generally, body hair from the back of the neck and the top area of the back starts standing up when they want to express aggression.
Odor
Deer have a strong sense of smell; thus, they use it as a tool of non-verbal communication. When they smell a danger, they would use it to alert their fellows.
Final Thoughts: Why Do Deer Stomp Their Feet?
Deer stomping is primarily related to alerting other members of the herd. However, when a male deer stomps, especially during rutting season, it shows they are inviting other deer to fight to establish their authority.
Likewise, if you are out hunting for deer and see any one of them stomping, stop your progress; otherwise, the herd will run away. However, if you give yourself, you will hear blowing and snorting, which will ruin your likely hunt.
So, stay alert to deer stomping and make your next movement cautiously if you hear them performing stomping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Deer stomping foot at gog?
Deer would most likely stomp at dogs, as they do not like them. It is a gesture of disliking and forcing the dog to stay away.
Deer stomping front feet?
Deer generally stomp their front feet to alert other members of the herd of possible danger in the vicinity. However, deer will not run right away but will put others on high alert.
Deer stomping and blowing?
The second phase after stomping is blowing or snorting. While stomping is alerting, blowing is confirmation of the danger.