Deer Communication

Deer communicate with various sounds that convey specific messages, from warning other deer of danger to attracting mates. Here’s a breakdown of common deer sounds, what they mean, and when they’re most often used.

1. Grunt

Sound: A short, guttural sound, usually one or two notes, that bucks and does both use.

Meaning: Grunts are versatile and can mean different things based on volume and tone:

• Social Contact: Bucks often use soft grunts to signal their presence to other bucks, especially during early season, when they’re in bachelor groups.

• Dominance: During the rut, louder, more forceful grunts can mean “stay away” or “this is my territory,” directed toward other bucks.

• Attraction: Bucks also grunt as they follow does, especially if the doe is in estrus.

When to Use: Early to late rut. Hunters often use grunt calls to draw in bucks.

2. Bleat

Sound: A soft, high-pitched vocalization that sounds somewhat like a lamb’s “baa.”

Meaning: Bleats are most commonly made by does and fawns.

• Fawn Bleat: Used by fawns to communicate with their mothers. It can also indicate a fawn in distress, which sometimes attracts does and even bucks.

• Doe Bleat: Used by does as a social call to signal that they’re nearby. An estrus bleat, a longer, louder version, signals a doe is ready to mate and can attract bucks looking for a receptive doe.

When to Use: During the rut. Hunters use bleat calls to imitate does in estrus.

3. Snort-Wheeze

Sound: A sharp “psssshhhh” followed by a wheezing exhale, often loud and attention-grabbing.

Meaning: The snort-wheeze is an aggressive sound made by bucks to challenge rivals.

• Challenge: Bucks use this sound when they feel threatened by another buck or are establishing dominance over an area. It’s an invitation to a fight, signaling aggression and confidence.

When to Use: Pre-rut to peak rut. The snort-wheeze can attract dominant bucks looking to defend their territory but may also scare away younger bucks.

4. Rattling

Sound: A clattering of antlers, which imitates bucks locking horns in a fight.

Meaning: Bucks spar or fight by clashing antlers to establish dominance and win the attention of nearby does.

• Fight for Dominance: Rattling signals an active struggle between bucks, and hearing it can draw in other curious or dominant bucks in the area.

When to Use: Pre-rut to rut. Hunters can rattle antlers together to mimic this sound, particularly effective in areas with high competition among mature bucks.

5. Bawl

Sound: A loud, drawn-out sound, similar to a bleat but longer and more desperate.

Meaning: Bawls are often made by fawns in distress. This sound can alert does or other deer in the area.

• Distress: Fawns emit bawls when they feel scared, threatened, or separated from their mothers.

When to Use: Hunters rarely use bawls directly, but they can sometimes imitate fawn distress sounds to attract does (and occasionally curious bucks) early in the season.

6. Alarm Snort

Sound: A loud, forceful “whoosh” or “chuff” sound made by blowing air through the nose.

Meaning: The alarm snort warns other deer of potential danger.

• Warning Signal: When a deer feels threatened, it snorts to alert other deer, signaling them to be on high alert. This can be followed by the deer fleeing the area, taking others along.

When to Use: Hunters should avoid making this sound, as it will generally scare deer away.

Final Thoughts

Each deer sound serves a specific purpose and can be a helpful indicator of what the deer are experiencing or feeling. By understanding the context and meaning of each sound, hunters can better interpret deer behavior and use calls that mimic these sounds to attract bucks, especially during the rut.