Deer Stalking Me

Rob T · #1 (**permalink**) 03-11-2007, 04:18 AM

I have to ask if anybody has had a similar experience to the one I had last Saturday. I was up early and sitting with my back against a tree surrounded both sides by a small piece of camo. in a thick dark wood in the New Forest. Id just finished taking 10 shots or so of Mum Dad and Baby Fallow (all rubbish) in a small clearing of sunlit grass some 100 yds or so upwind.Pleased with myself I poured a cup of coffee whilst I waited for my next prey to wander into the chink of sun light. There was a sizeable tree that had some years previously fallen down roughly 20 feet away to my left over the top of this I saw a pair of antlers coming my way, they got closer and closer until i saw the animals face he was looking directly at me. he carried on walking at the same speed still looking at me until he got to the fallen tree where he stopped stood and stared over it. A well built fallow buck he was 20 feet from me stood as still as a statue. looking down at me. I sat there not moving staring at him he stood there staring back at me, he was so close i could smell him.I couldnt imagine why he hadnt bolted when he first saw me. I clicked my camera a few times, still there staring, I picked up my coffee and had a sip, still there. After what seemed like 10 mins of schoolboy behavior of seeing who would blink first and a few more shots he turned his thick neck to look behind him and slowly, very slowly walked off in a big arc never looking back. I was left, puzzled and still am at his boldness, and oddly enough felt as if in some sort way I had been told off by a wild animal for entering his environment uninvited. Looking at it from his point of view I suppose he had a point.
I could post the pics if it helps understand this weird story.

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 03-11-2007, 07:32 AM

What a great encounter. I would think he was just checking you out to make sure you didn't pose a threat. Please post the shots though,it'd be great to see your chastising fallow.

oceanroc · #3 (**permalink**) 03-11-2007, 08:26 AM

I love the way so many animals (including us!) think that if you don't move you can't be seen. What a wonderful encounter.
I too enjoy the deer in the New Forest and they are very interesting at the moment! Last weekend we were priveleged to hear and eventally see a full-on roaring competition between two rival males. They certainly act like they own the place and perhaps feel entitled to tell of invaders!

Oceanroc

Deer Stalker · #4 (**permalink**) 03-11-2007, 10:07 AM

Well done Rob, always nice when that happens.
As Julie says, sometimes they just come to check out an odd shape & at this time of year, just at the end of the rut, they are slightly less likely to bolt.

Make sure you stick those pictures up!

Scarlet Pimpernel · #5 (**permalink**) 03-11-2007, 10:33 AM

Had a single female Roe deer in field backing onto my garden last evening....Stunning sight, they are becoming more regular visitor now. Had up to three but usually they are on their own.

I hope they continue to drop by!

pressld2 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-11-2007, 11:44 AM

Excellent story Rob, please do post up the pics. And welcome to WAB by the way!

Dave P.

ron1863 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-11-2007, 11:55 AM

I've had similar happen to me but usually when walking in the woods with my camera. I often come upon a glade or walk over a hill and spot a deer standing watching me but as soon as I lift the camera it's off. Frustrating as hell.

Rob T · #8 (**permalink**) 03-11-2007, 07:30 PM

The pic is now posted in the wildlife section. sorry but I cant attatch photos to posts yet.

glsammy · #9 (**permalink**) 03-11-2007, 07:48 PM

Here it is:

You could have added it, all you do is copy the forum code and paste it into the thread, as I've just done.

Rob T · #10 (**permalink**) 03-11-2007, 11:55 PM

Many thanks Graham. For both the pic and the info.

galanthus · #11 (**permalink**) 04-11-2007, 12:02 AM

lovely looking animal, were you a bit nervous though ? I had a goat come that close to me once while out birding. I had an old hippy blanket coat on, I started to shoo it away but it came after me, to my boyfriend's amusement it was trying to make babies with me

It was nearly 6 ft on it's hind legs

clover green · #12 (**permalink**) 06-11-2007, 05:29 PM

A lovely story and photo, Rob, thanks.

Wild-Woman · #13 (**permalink**) 06-11-2007, 05:36 PM

Excellent. Such a beautiful creature. I know I would have felt humbled in it's presence.

naturelover · #14 (**permalink**) 06-11-2007, 08:57 PM

i had that happen to me many years ago,but my encounter was a donkey in a field,i kept saying get him off ,he would not let me go and my hubby just stood there laughing.