Deer Standing On Hind Legs Fighting

I have trail cameras on my property near the Ouachita National Forest here in Arkansas. One of these cameras caught two Whitetail Deer standing on their hind legs fighting. One of the Deer is a Buck and the other is a Doe. (The Doe could be a button Buck). These two Deer have appeared on my trail cameras several times over the past couple of months. They travel together.

Deer rarely stand on their hind legs, except in unusual circumstances such as fighting or trying to reach higher vegetation. When fighting, male deer may use their front legs to push against each other or antler to antler, but standing on hind legs is not a common behavior.

I see this behavior with Does and they do this to establish a pecking order. My research indicates that Bucks will fight with their forefeet if they have shed their antlers. I am sure they do the same if the antlers are in velvet. The velvet has lots of blood vessels and nerves which makes the antlers very sensitive.

The hooves on Deer are sharp and could cause serious injury if struck by one. I see scars on Does and have always wondered if it was from the sharp hooves.

Trail cameras are great for letting you know what wildlife you have on your property and what they are doing. It’s a hobby for me.

I have these cameras mainly on game trails. The camera that took the above photo is in a small clearing near a spring that runs through my property.

This camera is a Moultrie but I use several brands.

Deer Behavior Q&A

Here are answers to some common questions I get about deer behavior when they stand on their hind legs.

Why do deer fight on their hind legs?
When deer fight while standing upright, it’s usually about dominance. Bucks may do this when they’re evenly matched or when their antlers are still soft and covered in velvet. Does will also rear up and strike each other to sort out hierarchy or defend feeding areas. Standing on hind legs lets them use their sharp front hooves to kick and push, it can look almost like boxing.

Why would a deer stand on its hind legs?
It’s not always aggression. Deer will sometimes rise up to reach food like acorns, leaves, or fruit that’s just out of reach. In the fall and winter, when food gets scarce, this behavior is more common. But if two deer face off while doing it, it’s more likely a fight than feeding.

What does it mean if a deer is standing on two legs?
Seeing a deer balance on two legs can surprise people, but it’s normal behavior in the right situation. It might be stretching for food, keeping watch, or sparring. The key is body language, if its ears are back and it’s moving toward another deer, it’s defensive or aggressive; if it’s calm and alone, it’s probably feeding.

How to tell if a deer is aggressive?
Aggressive deer show clear signs before they strike. The ears pin back, the hair along the neck and back stands up, and they stomp or lower their head. Bucks might thrash the ground or trees. Does with fawns can act this way too. If you notice these signals, it’s best to stay still or slowly back away, they can move faster than you think.