I stalked through some manuka once and right into a mob of sika hinds who were all talking to each other in low mews which was very cool then one came into view where she locked eyes with me... I managed to get a few photos until she sqealed and it was game over.
Sometimes the sika will watch you and stand there being more inquisitive of you. I had a hind sqeal at me, run off then come back stand there in full view 15-20 metres away where she would sqeal, stamp her hooves, run off then come back and repeat. I stood there and eventually just talked to her saying "you'll get shot" before she eventually went off and i continued my hunt.
It's encounters like what you've experienced which are memorable and live with you forever
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