Thread: Barking mad?

Hello chappettes and chaps

Question for all you knowledgeable folk out there around barking deer.

Got barked at five times times tonight from what feels like the same spot within the space of 3 minutes. Couldn't see anything, had a 10 metre drop to a creek in between me and the deer, so couldn't close the gap. It sounded pretty close, too, I'd estimate it at 30-40 meters based on nothing but guttfeel. I'm used to getting one bark and then the hills empty out, or multiple barks if there is a chance to pursue the animal and have a bit of a running battle. Not tonight though, same spot every time (at least from what my ears told me.)

So here's my question: What's up with the stationary barking deer?

I got 3 theories:
1) It was a hind and its bambi didn't get it's act together so mum called 5 times.
2) I manage to stumble across the only deaf and blind deer that's using echolocation.
3) It was as confused as I was.

All have merit, of course, but which one is it? I personally think it's 3, however considering the amount of noise I made I would have thought it was quite obvious that I was not another animal.

Thoughts, chappettes and chaps?