Compared to other game species (turkey and waterfowl, for example) the calls of whitetails are fairly easy to master and reproduce with consistency. As a result, many hunters will not leave the truck without packing a grunt call. Many sounds can only be heard less than 100 yards by humans however, the snort can be heard much greater distances.įew things can compare to carrying on a conversation with a whitetail. Deer use sounds to convey alarm, distress, social status, and aggression. Whitetails also use a wide range of vocalizations to communicate with each other (see Deer Dictionary sidebar). There are a number of commercial products made to help remove scent. In addition, given the highly developed sense of smell that deer have, it is important to hunt in areas downwind of where deer will be approaching and to keep gear clean and scent free. Hunters can capitalize on chemical communication by using various scents and attractants. The use of scents is the most complex form of whitetail communication. While scraping and rubbing, bucks will deposit scent from various glands (see Communication Champions sidebar) that help augment the rut. Although visual in nature, scrapes (bare dirt exposed by bucks pawing the ground with their hoofs) and rubs (tree bark removed with antlers) serve a chemical communication role. Take an autumn walk in deer habitat and you will most likely find evidence of chemical communication in action. In addition to visual communication, deer use chemical communication through the use of scents. Stiff walking, alert ears, head swaying, foot stomping, and/or a raised tail can be signs of an alert deer that may be aware of your set-up. Stiff walking, Visual communication can reveal a lot as deer approach. A relaxed deer will exhibit normal walking behavior and will frequently twitch its tail, giving an “all clear” signal. Hunters should pay attention to visual communication as deer approach a setup. These forms of body language are often used to establish dominance and territory. Bucks and does will display posturing behavior including hair bristling, staring, and head movements. Posturing is also exhibited in whitetails and helps keep social status in check within a deer herd. The waving white flag of a deer’s tail as it runs off is an example of visual communication. Whitetails use this type of communication frequently. Visual CommunicationĬommunication that can be seen is often referred to as visual communication or body language. During this display, other deer are forewarned visually (foot stomping and head swaying), chemically (scent deposited from the interdigital gland between the toes during foot stomping), and vocally (snort). For example, a deer in alarm or distress may stomp its foot, sway its head, and snort. From social bonds to reproduction, whitetails depend on communication to survive.ĭeer use most of their senses and a variety of methods when they communicate. This system plays an important role in deer behavior and, among other things, facilitates the rut. Whitetails have an advanced communication system. Deer hunters can increase their chances of success by having a solid understanding of how deer communicate. However, white-tailed deer communication is complex and includes much more than the vocalizations we usually think of. Hunters all across Missouri have experienced similar success with calling deer. He included a picture of the 10-point buck he had harvested with his son and said that if he had known calling whitetails was so effective, he would have started doing it when he first began hunting. “I did exactly what you mentioned in the program - some grunts and a bleat and the buck came running!” wrote a participant from a recent deer-calling seminar.
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