Thread: Sika Squeaks ??

On a work related trip to the Taupo region I decided to take an extra day to have a look for a Sika Deer.
Being a Northlander and not have the ease of opportunity to hunt deer, I usually focus on Reds with a reasonable amount of success.

Have not target Sika in the bush for years, but decided to have crack.

Result... no joy, however there were a few encounters with squeaking hinds.
One encounter was when I had just come to the conclusion I should alter course due to moving in the same direction as the wind current.
As I stood still and watched, waited and stared into every oriface of the under-canopy, a loud squeak erupted from cover about 50-60 metres to my right and directly downwind.
There was no way of seeing anything around 50-60m, I had only about 15m visibility.
At this point I decided, she's onto me, got my wind,,, game over, oh dear, how sad, never mind go hunt somewhere else... but I paused a little while longer.
Two more squeaks from her quarter and then just as I was about to move away I heard light foot action to my left and spotted movement just ten metres away, followed by that distinct squeak.
I could only make a silhouette amongst the growth and needed some head movement or an ear flick to confirm beyond doubt what I needed to know.
And then as I was poised... more movement from another animal. Just below me a small animal scampers off. Her fawn,, another loud squeak from the hind, and with a quick stride she disappears.
Honestly I'm not fussed that I did not shoot her, It was the learning experience that when a hind squeaks it may not necessarily be game over.

Conclusion was, although she knew I was there, she was very uncomfortable with my proximate to her fawn and was ready to move in and let me know about it.
I got the feeling I was being challenged.

I wander how many other hunters here have had Sika Hinds give away there positions and/or reveal themselves or sneak in on the hunter??
Anyone.