Fighting

Deer Standing On Hind Legs Fighting

2023-03-01T03:46:04-06:00July 31, 2019|Categories: Deer|Tags: , , , , , |

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.

Deer Standing On Hind Legs Fighting
Deer Standing On Hind Legs Fighting

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.