Would deer trap themselves in?

[kyler1945]

I don't know man, I can't agree with this. I think you are underestimating not only their survival instincts but their intelligence. Critical thinking, ok maybe not depending how you define that. No they can't sit down and do a NYT crossword puzzle or try to make a 1 pound climbing stick, but they sure as sheet know their territory a lot better than we do, no matter how much we scout. They certainly learn. They absolutely have their next move planned out, and why. We've all bumped into the fawns that run off like bumbling idiots. They die or get better. Old bucks don't do that stupid stuff, often. At least not here or they are dead. They slink off. They stay put and let you pass. That's all learned behavior.

I see young deer act in direct contradiction to their instincts. I very rarely see old deer do it. Sure, there is a spectrum of intelligence across living things. But this is science. Smart is not the word id use to describe a deer that evades me, because it’s in relation to me. I’d go with instinctive.

And I too have seen a deer hunkered down trying to get around me(he didn’t think I was me he thought I was another buck). I shot him.

To each his own. But I don’t think this is semantics. I know when I worked through the common human behavior of anthormorphizing animals, and started thinking about their world on their terms, I became more successful.

 

[EricS]

Deer do exactly what they want when they want. 1/3 of a mile is huge to a deer.
As far as a deer mental capacity for reasoning we really have no clue. They seem to be extremely smart at times yet they haven’t learned to look before crossing a road. Of course people do seemingly mindless acts at times as well.

 

[huck72412]

Ok I wasn’t gonna go here but apparently it’s time to shut this down once and for all. It was October of 1999 andI was hunting a narrow oak flat between a deep creek and pine thicket. This spot is historically shredded with sign starting at or around Halloween. I was there during the early part of the third week so I decided to make a mock scrape and put some preorbital scent on the licking branch. I figured since the heavy sign hadn’t been made yet then this would sure coax a big buck in for closer examination. I settled into my tree , packed my bottom lip full of tobacco and the hunt began. 15 minutes before dark I could hear a heavy foot creeping through the pines. As soon as he came out of the pines he sauntered over to the scrape, shook his head and moved on past until he was behind a white oak tree. From this position he look around the tree at me and said “ I’ve seen mock scrapes before, you aren’t gonna fool me like that.” Then he says “ I’m not sure what stinks worse , the store bought preorbital scent or that nasty Copenhagen spit all over your tree”.

 

[sureshotscott]

Ok I wasn’t gonna go here but apparently it’s time to shut this down once and for all. It was October of 1999 andI was hunting a narrow oak flat between a deep creek and pine thicket. This spot is historically shredded with sign starting at or around Halloween. I was there during the early part of the third week so I decided to make a mock scrape and put some preorbital scent on the licking branch. I figured since the heavy sign hadn’t been made yet then this would sure coax a big buck in for closer examination. I settled into my tree , packed my bottom lip full of tobacco and the hunt began. 15 minutes before dark I could hear a heavy foot creeping through the pines. As soon as he came out of the pines he sauntered over to the scrape, shook his head and moved on past until he was behind a white oak tree. From this position he look around the tree at me and said “ I’ve seen mock scrapes before, you aren’t gonna fool me like that.” Then he says “ I’m not sure what stinks worse , the store bought preorbital scent or that nasty Copenhagen spit all over your tree”.

Same thing happened to me before I quit smoking cigars in the tree.

 

[huck72412]

I see young deer act in direct contradiction to their instincts. I very rarely see old deer do it. Sure, there is a spectrum of intelligence across living things. But this is science. Smart is not the word id use to describe a deer that evades me, because it’s in relation to me. I’d go with instinctive.

And I too have seen a deer hunkered down trying to get around me(he didn’t think I was me he thought I was another buck). I shot him.

To each his own. But I don’t think this is semantics. I know when I worked through the common human behavior of anthormorphizing animals, and started thinking about their world on their terms, I became more successful.

The buck that I observed certainly thought I was me. Unless he thought I was one of the many deer he typically sees up in the trees. My guess is we really don’t have a clue if they think critically. But I’m convinced that he knew that exposing himself to “ me “ in those openings was no bueno. Seems critical.

 

[cb750]

Based on the OP I suspect there's deer there at least some of the time. I also suspect that if they are familiar with the area they will know their exit(s). Whether that's how they got in or a different way. And whether it's by their instincts saying "hey bad mojo if you can't get back out that way" or if they realize conciously that there is no way out doesn't really matter. It would be cool to know though. If they are unfamiliar they may trap themselves. In a nearby town we had a deer right downtown trap itself in a building. Deer trap themselves in parking garages etc as well. They also are said to recognize when things change around them. Meaning they have some capacity for memory. So Its possible for some of them remember whether there's more than one way out of an area. So could it happen yes.

Given that this area is more "their turf" and that they are proven capable of swimming I am willing to bet theres deer there. Scout it by boat maybe theres a nice hard pack area that creates a pinch point. Or maybe its undesirable and they have better spots to hide out in. Take @Nutterbusters advice in post 5. Can't believe I said that..... perhaps I will go to the Dr. Today.