Snorting deer

[crowinghen]

 This is my first post, here goes...
This is my first year hunting ( bow)  have had a ton of fun so far!!
 Last night  I was sitting  before dusk, and had a doe rustling in the bushes. She almost came out in front of me,  but some hunter's in another area  spooked  her. Then she went in the brush and  rustled around some, could really see the bushes  moving. Then it was quiet, I think she bedded down.  My Hubby came out of his sitting spot, it was almost time to go... I motioned to him to  continue out, thinking that she would think the coast was clear. So it worked, she  started coming out-- meanwhile I had gone from a sitting position to standing, and  she must've seen my silhouette, I'm not sure. Dumb mistake I guess.
So she let out a huge snort, then proceeded to  do that about 5 more times. Then she turned around and disappeared.
Fun!

So here's my question-- why do  deer snort-- is it to alarm others,  try to investigate a scent...?  We have been snorted at so many times this year--- would appreciate any input-- thanks!

Susie

[sirfunkeybut]

I think its a warning. I'm guessing your hunting whitetails. I've had them snort at me all the way out to 150-200 yards. And usually makes the other deer in the immediate area to run off as well. Thats just my observation

[FSTaxidermy]

If she is snorting-game over! Deer alarm signal she is telling her friends to stay clear!

not to mention clearing her nose of all that human odor that she just got a face full of!

[spookgus]

Does will sometimes stop and continue to snort and foot stomp once they hit cover to warn other deer of imminent danger. Bucks will likely not repeat their initial snort.

[crowinghen]

We're hunting blacktail-- I had checked the wind and it was at our face, but it seems to swirl a little bit where we're at- but what do I know!
 Yeah I could see that definitel   the game was over because she  continued to snort for quite a while as she left.

It was pretty fun though-- the first time she thought about coming out she  must've stood there about 5 minutes looking right past me in the direction of the other hunters making noise. A real pretty single doe.

Susie

[Dmanmastertracker]

 I second all thoughts here. I've not heard many bucks snort repeatedly, but I had one or two snort as they ran away several times, more of a wheeze than a snort. Doe's will stand there and snort for an eternity. I have read a doe snort can be heard several miles away -weather permitting, so yes, game over.

[h20hunter]

If you are trying to get her to come in for a shot I would start making a ruckus. I have messed with a few does by blowing on a distress call. They get all worked up and come in looking around.

[runningboard]

I agree, was doing a fawn distress call while varmint hunting & had 4 different does come to my "rescue" & welcome to the site! great 1st post

[crowinghen]

If you are trying to get her to come in for a shot I would start making a ruckus. I have messed with a few does by blowing on a distress call. They get all worked up and come in looking around.

Great thought-- i didn't even know there was such a thing as a fawn distress call... 
thanks! Susie

[DoubleJ]

Only problem I've had with a fawn in distress call is that the deer are on SUPER high alert when they show up.  Best to use it when in a groundblind or tree stand IMO.

[jackmaster]

i have always thought that it meant they know there is danger but arent quit sure because they cant get the scent, i have had them do that when i had the advantage with the wind in my favor but they caught my movement and they would blow several times and then just kinda walk off without any major alarm

[DoubleJ]

i have always thought that it meant they know there is danger but arent quit sure because they cant get the scent, i have had them do that when i had the advantage with the wind in my favor but they caught my movement and they would blow several times and then just kinda walk off without any major alarm

 
 
My experience too.  Like they don't know what you are but they know something is there and they want you to show yourself.

[FSTaxidermy]

i have always thought that it meant they know there is danger but arent quit sure because they cant get the scent, i have had them do that when i had the advantage with the wind in my favor but they caught my movement and they would blow several times and then just kinda walk off without any major alarm

Ditto, most of the time they have caught my movement, not so much smelled me.  I have also found that it is the does that continue to blow, the buck usually pull out quickly.

[bobcat]

I had a doe blowing at me last weekend, several times. Couple minutes later I hear her, and what sounds like a couple more, running full speed parallel to the trail I was on. Then they turned and are coming right at me. A fawn came across the trail 10 feet in front of me, and then the doe. A third one jumped out in the trail, saw me, and immediately spun around and went back the way it came. Only thing is it wasn't a deer, it was a coyote. Made me wonder if the blowing "called in" the coyote, or if it was just a coincidence.

[CamoDup]

i have always thought that it meant they know there is danger but aren't quit sure because they cant get the scent, i have had them do that when i had the advantage with the wind in my favor but they caught my movement and they would blow several times and then just kinda walk off without any major alarm

That has been all experiences with blacktails/mulies when they have snorted also.  I know they haven't smelled me because they usually stick around for awhile.  All of the times I've heard this is when I was creeping and they spotted me through trees or brush before I spotted them.  Its pretty cool to hear but its a bad sign for you because you have been busted.