 Whitetail
Vocalizations
Through research we know that whitet-tailed deer use different sounds:
to keep in contact with each other (contact); to express alarm and distress
(alarm/distress); to solicit attention from and respond to does (maternal)
and fawns(neonatal); to express dominance/threaten other deer (agonistic).
Deer also make sounds associated with courtship and breeding behavior (mating).
Alarm/Distress
The Snort is an intense blowing sound produced
by expelling air through the nostrils, best described as a loud whew, or
whew-whew-whew. Deer that see or hear a disturbance but cannot smell the
source often use repeated low snorts, foot stomping, head bobbing and tail
flipping, possibly to alert other deer of danger. The head bobbing and
foot stomping may be used to startle a predator into moving and giving
itself away. A deer's sense of smell is thought to be independent of conscious
discrimination, and deer that smell danger usually snort, then flee while
flagging the tail.
The Bawl is an intense call used by deer in
distress, often when caught by a predator or trapped. The sound is a loud
baa. Does often respond to the call by running in, presumably out of maternal
instinct.
Agonistic
The Grunt is used in three different forms
to express dominance or to threaten another deer. It is also used to locate
other deer, which causes them to respond by coming to the call, or by announcing
their location by returning the call.
The Low Grunt is used by both does
and bucks throughout the year. The call sounds like a soft guttural err.
This is the first level of aggression, used to displace lesser deer. If
the lesser animal does not move it is usually rushed and may be kicked
with a forefoot by the dominant.
The Grunt-Snort is used most often
by bucks during the breeding season in more intense situations. One or
more snorts are added to a grunt; err-whew.
The Grunt-Snort-Wheeze is the most
intense form of an aggressive call. It consists of a grunt-snort followed
by a drawn out wheeze through pinched nostrils. The wheeze may sound like
a whistle.
Social Contact
The Social Contact Grunt is often performed
by members of a doe group when they become separated, and it may help deer
stay in contact when they can't see each other. In one study only females
performed this call. This call is longer than the low grunt and can be
heard by humans as far as 100 meters. It may attract bucks during the breeding
season.
Maternal/Neonatal
The Maternal Grunt is a low, quick grunt performed at short
intervals when a doe approaches the fawn's bedding site. The fawn generally
leaves its bed and joins the doe. It is audible to humans for only a few
meters.
The Mew is used by the fawn when it
wants attention, or is given in response to the maternal grunt of the doe.
The Bleat is the fawn version of the
bawl, it is given by the fawn when it wants urgent attention, is hungry,
or wants care, and may be heard as far as 100 meters by humans.
The Nursing Whine occurs while the fawn
is nursing or searching for a nipple.
Mating
The Tending Grunt is a low grunt used
by bucks when pursuing an estrus doe. It may consist of a single short
grunt, several grunts or a long drawn out grunt. It is probably given to
alert other deer of the presence of a dominant in order to keep them away;
and to attract does.
The Tending Click is a clicking sound
bucks may make when looking for of following estrus does. It sounds like
someone slowly running a fingernail across the teeth of a comb. It appears
to be a slow, drawn-out version of the Tending Grunt.
The Flehmen Sniff is a low sound produced
during the lip curl, when air is inhaled to bring urine in contact with
the nose or vomeronasal organ, allowing the buck to determine the breeding
readiness of the doe.
Although several call manufacturers, writers
and speakers claim there is an Estrus Doe Bleat or Doe Mating Call, no
call of this nature was noted in the scientific studies I have read. These
people may be referring to the social grunt. Because security is essential
to doe survival, does probably do not use a loud call that might alert
nearby predators.
The statistics on whitetail vocalizations are based on studies by Dr.
Larry Marchinton. The duration of the calls is approximate. The tone of
the call usually depends on the deer. Larger deer, especially bucks, tend
to make deeper sounds.
Deer Vocalizations
Call
Duration Pitch Tone Volume
(seconds)
Alarm/Distress
Snort
. .25 high
low or high high
Bawl
1.00 low-high-low moderate
high
Agonistic
Low Grunt
.25 level
low low
Grunt-Snort
.50 low-high
low moderate
Grunt-Snort-Wheeze
2.50 low-high-low high
low
Contact
Social Grunt
1.00 low-high-low-high-low moderate
moderate
Maternal/Neonatal
Maternal Grunt
.25 rising
low low
Fawn Mew
.50 low-high-low low
low
Fawn Bleat
.50 low-medium-low low-medium
low-moderate
Nursing Whine
.50 low-high-low low
low
Mating
Tending Grunt
.25-4.00 low
low
moderate
Tending Click
.10-1.00 staccato low moderate
Flehmen Sniff
.50-1.00 low
low
low
This article contains excerpts from the Whitetail Addict's Manual
($19.95 + &5.00 S&H), by T.R.Michels.
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T.R. Michels
T.R. Michels is a nationally
recognized game researcher/wildlife behaviorist, outdoor writer and speaker.
He is the author of the Whitetail, Elk, Duck & Goose, and Turkey Addict's
Manuals. His latest products are the 2003 Revised Edition of the Whitetail
Addict's Manual, the 2003 Revised Edition of the Elk Addict's Manual; and
the 2003 Revised Edition of the Duck & Goose Addict's Manual. For a
catalog of books and other hunting products contact: T.R. Michels, Trinity
Mountain Outdoors, PO Box 284, Wanamingo, MN 55983, USA. Phone: 507-824-3296,
E-mail: trmichels@yahoo.com, Website:
www.TRMichels.com
For a catalog of books
and other hunting aids contact:
T.R. Michels
Trinity Mountain Outdoors
PO Box 284
Wanamingo, MN 55983
507-824-3296
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