Crazy behavior

I'm not sure what to think about this. Last evening my partner went into one of our pens to tag 2 fawns that were born a few hours earlier. He went in and found one but before he could do anything the mom went completely bonkers. She came charging down on him, barking like a dog he said, but blasted on by and took out her "anger?" on every deer around. The super gigantic doe I spoke about in the other post was trying to get up out of the way but the mom just put her head down hand rammed her right up into the fence. Then she attacked her kicking and butting. Next she rammed full speed into another pregnant doe and blasted her into the food trough. She then ran wildly around kicking and butting every deer she saw. It domino-ed through the other pens. We have a Highroller son, who scored 235 this past year @3, in the next pen and I guess the excitement scared him and he blasted into the fence at full speed, twice!! Which in turn wound up our next biggest buck up in the top pen and he slammed the fence in high gear. The rest of the herd just went crazy also!! Running back and forth and just all wired up. My partner said he just got out of there as quick as he could. He couldn't tell if the bucks were OK or any of the rest for that matter. He's checking this morning. We are wondering if the gigantic doe will have dead fawns now and the others also. We are both VERY depressed and heartsick about it. Never seen any take out their anger in such a way. We are not sure what to think or do. It's not just the one but they all flipped their lids!! And the fawn never made a sound. I'm on the fence about staying a deer farmer. The money, the time, and worst of all, the heartbreak and depression. I'm not sure if I can handle any more. God bless you guys who have 100 plus head. Can't fathom how you cope. Does anyone else have this kind of trouble?

That is crazy!! I can't imagine the scene this must have been. Man, I don't know what to tell you. Deer are just crazy sometimes. I've never seen them take it out on the other deer like that. Sorry you have to deal with this, I know that scene would have made me sick too.

Thanks for the replys. I know we ain't the only ones with toubles but GEE WHIZ. Ed told me the bucks look OK and when he went in this morning, all seemed normal but he didn't stay long. Still worrying about the does, though.

Woody, it does get better !!!! Was there anything that he did different then any other time? My deer know me and I know them. They don't like strange people or drastic changes in their pens. I'm sure it was just a little something that set her off. I had a doe this year that would hit the fence to draw your attention to her and not her fawns. She doesn't care about the other fawns in the pen, just hers. I have another that will tear you up over any fawn that cries out. That was a big suprise that I was not told about when we bought the doe. I asked the guy about it later and he said " ooooh, I didn't tell you about that and laughed. She will stand on her hind legs, mouth wide open and front legs going 100 mph. Not a pretty sight !!!!!!!! Good luck

I think it was a move made to divert attention away from her fawn. I 'v have noticed that when turkey hunting, if you happen upon a doe with a newborn. She will go bizerk, blowing and will circle you, then run just out of distance and keep blowing. She is trying to lead you away. The fawn willl collaspe and not move until she comes back. The others reacted to her being goofy.

We have a doe (not bottle fed) as tame as can be...about a 5 footer. Loves marshmellows. Even looks just mellow and calm. Doesn't get excited when the other do. After she has fawns, watch out. Mama bear steps in to protect the cubs!! We don't dare go in the pen to get her fawns or anybody else's without the 4-wheeler for protection after she has her fawns on the ground for awhile.

I think my reaction would be to call the processor and cull the doe. Of course, this has not happened to me so maybe have to think longer and harder if it was. Several factors to consider i.e. size of pens, price you paid for doe, what has she thrown in past, how willing are you to write off a doe?

Tough choices to make possibly but when you get that worked up over the deer farming then I would imagine a lot of the fun gets sucked right out. I don't really know what I would do but my gut tells me I would be having venison soon.

My tamest doe which really acts more like a dog was acting much the same way after giving birth for the first time, she snorts and charges us but runs by us, then she beats up another doe, its been 2 weeks now since giving birth to triplets and shes finally calming down, cant figure her out!!

My son is 4 and Momma still runs, stomps, and threatens if some makes her baby sad!!!



I don't have any idea if your fawns are OK in your doe. I would watch her close when she is due and be ready to help her if she needs it! Tough times! Hope all works out for you!

OK, Years back I had 15 does that came from northern Minnesota. They all would act like your doe. There reaction is instinctual. In that part of the country the deer have to comtend with large preditors ( bears and wolfs) I beleive this is the way the react in the wild when the feel their fawns are threatened.

My group of doe would sometimes not circle though, they would run straight over me. Kicking, barking, grunting and blowing. careful boys and girls they may get you.

fred