Thread: Strange Behavior in the Bush: Seeking Insight on a Peculiar Deer Encounter

Have seen the same when wild deer have been enclosed after capture, run the fence line and catch their head in the mesh, used to be called "rick" neck. Maybe this animal caught itself on a vine etc while at full pace.

I spoke to a chopper pilot a couple of years back who said he'd occasionally seen deer running with their necks bent back, and no, they weren't looking over their shoulders at the chopper. Said he had seen it a few times over the years.

Most likely answer is it had a roll or a bit of a scratch and got itself cast and was attempting to get back on its feet. See similar behaviour in sheep and cattle.

Could it have been cast and your presence was giving it the impetus to have a better go at getting up?

Originally Posted by Waitati Hunter

Could it have been cast and your presence was giving it the impetus to have a better go at getting up?

Good question, Im not quite sure tbh. I was fairly quiet stalking through the bush and I heard it walking first, then heard a short pause then walking again. Then all a sudden it changed to a banging sound (leg hitting the tree).

Maybe there was a possibility it smelt me but I don't recall the wind being against my favour.

Maybe it heard or smelt you and accidentally ran into a tree and put its neck out or momentarily knocked itself out.

Mange mite maybe?

I wouldn't worry about it

Very unusual I have seen a hind do this out in the tussock rolling on its back like a dog in something smelly it even turned and looked around guiltily I laughed and let it go.

Update for those who are interested:

The other hunter who I was with recently caught up with one of his more experienced hunting mates. His mate said this was the first time he had heard about something like this happening and has no clue what could have caused it.

we used to pick up a few live deer from a possum trapper / meat hunter who worked in the Upper Waioeka when I doing some part time work on the meat choppers - his method of capture was a little brutal they would string a flounder net across a stream at a narrow point and then run a team of dogs and rry to chase the deer into it - some had their kneck bent back at an odd angle - I heard the term they used was ry kneck they generally did not recover and had to be euthanatized or simply died

but this from a vet journal so possibly something similar

ryegrass staggers
This condition is a disease of deer, sheep, cattle, alpaca and horse caused by the consumption of perennial ryegrass infected with certain fungi. The fungal spores are toxic and cause nerve and brain damage, which manifests itself as tremors and staggering.

How does the problem spread?
What are the symptoms?and thrash or have convulsions. They may stand with a very stiff legged stance and shake or nod.
It can be difficult to notice initial signs of ryegrass staggers if the animals are at rest or quietly grazing. There may be a slight head tremor or trembling of the muscles of the neck, shoulder or back. If the deer are moved or yarded, the tremors and shaking become more exaggerated. Severally affected animals can fall over

They roll in wallows and on dry ground just like lots of other mammals do. Itchy skin, parasites, hair shedding, all the usual stuff.

I posted a picture on here awhile back of one I shot that was rolling in a small wallow right in front of me. It’s a funny sight because they’re very ungainly when on their backs and I think if they get it a bit wrong they can struggle to get up in a hurry.