can deer walk or run backwards?

Andrew93 · November 26, 2007, 08:21 PM

a few days ago i hit a nice doe. I just clipped her right on the head and my first thought was venison! But another car behind me ran over her and squished her.:barf: She was on the side of the road and when i was close she just dived in front of me when she could have just stayed there or walked backwards and be still alive and well. But can deer run, jump or walk backwards?

TheNatureBoy · November 26, 2007, 08:33 PM

Thats a good question. I've hunted deer for many years and I can honestly say that I've never seen one put it in reverse. I've seen them pivot on their hind legs, turn, and then walk/run away.

______________________________

"Just when you think you've heard it all......"

WeedWacker · November 26, 2007, 08:52 PM

They can back up but not very fast. They panic most of the time which is why they wheel and run, but on pavement they don't have the traction and slip easily. Hard hooves are very different from tennis shoes

wolverine350 · November 26, 2007, 10:00 PM

deer can do some of the oddest things

Double Naught Spy · November 26, 2007, 10:06 PM

Yes, of course they can walk backwards. They can "spring" backwards as well, but it isn't very graceful. Backwards may not be a default option when scared, however.

crowbeaner · November 26, 2007, 11:33 PM

I've seen them walk backwards several times, but as noted above they are not graceful in reverse. They stay alive by running and diving out of the way and under things. I've seen them clear a 6 foot fence with a dead leap with no problem. I've seen a really BIG buck get down and crawl on his knees to avoid being seen next to the road after stopping to look both ways and trot across. They prefer to wheel and dive away as opposed to trying to run backwards. It may have to do with the way their eyes are set on the sides of their heads. Their ears may block their vision somewhat. CB.

Crosshair · November 27, 2007, 02:07 AM

Yes they can, just like in humans it isn't the most graceful thing.

sketchy · November 27, 2007, 04:17 AM

I shot a doe and it hit pretty hard in the field, it ran into some CRP brush and we could see her back through the tall grass, 20 yards into the brush she went down we sat their and gave her a few minutes we walked down and seen her blood trail. we found her 100 yards in the CRP brush.

talk about stop, drop, and roll.

Art Eatman · November 27, 2007, 09:44 AM

I watched a couple of braggin' bucks fighting one time. With horns engaged, they charged back and forth, maybe 50 to 75 yards with each engagement.

Fast? Folks, I had a serious case of the jaw-drops! If he has to, a buck can run backwards as fast as most dogs can run forward.

Realize, though, that unless there's some reason like the fight, a buck's gonna spin and run forward. I wouldn't call running backwards a preferred method of travel...

, Art

Andrew93 · December 1, 2007, 04:16 PM

i never thought about the 2 deer fighting part. Then i have seen deer run backwards.

November 26, 2007, 08:21 PM	#1
Andrew93 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2007 Location: sneaking up on you Posts: 106	can deer walk or run backwards? a few days ago i hit a nice doe. I just clipped her right on the head and my first thought was venison! But another car behind me ran over her and squished her.:barf: She was on the side of the road and when i was close she just dived in front of me when she could have just stayed there or walked backwards and be still alive and well. But can deer run, jump or walk backwards?

November 26, 2007, 08:52 PM	#3
WeedWacker Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2006 Location: Body: Clarkston, Washington. Soul: LaCrosse, Wisconsin Posts: 1,591	They can back up but not very fast. They panic most of the time which is why they wheel and run, but on pavement they don't have the traction and slip easily. Hard hooves are very different from tennis shoes __________________ - Jon Disequilibrium facilitates accommodation. 9mm vs .45 ACP? The answer is .429

November 26, 2007, 10:00 PM	#4
wolverine350 Senior Member Join Date: November 27, 2006 Location: ponca city ok Posts: 746	deer can do some of the oddest things __________________ CVA Kodiak Magnum .50 cal Marlin 981T 22LR Bolt Action Remington 770 Bolt Action 270 Thompson Center Encore 243

November 26, 2007, 11:33 PM	#6
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	I've seen them walk backwards several times, but as noted above they are not graceful in reverse. They stay alive by running and diving out of the way and under things. I've seen them clear a 6 foot fence with a dead leap with no problem. I've seen a really BIG buck get down and crawl on his knees to avoid being seen next to the road after stopping to look both ways and trot across. They prefer to wheel and dive away as opposed to trying to run backwards. It may have to do with the way their eyes are set on the sides of their heads. Their ears may block their vision somewhat. CB. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

November 27, 2007, 02:07 AM	#7
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	Yes they can, just like in humans it isn't the most graceful thing. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

November 26, 2007, 08:33 PM	#2
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	Thats a good question. I've hunted deer for many years and I can honestly say that I've never seen one put it in reverse. I've seen them pivot on their hind legs, turn, and then walk/run away. ______________________________ "Just when you think you've heard it all......"

November 26, 2007, 10:06 PM	#5
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	Yes, of course they can walk backwards. They can "spring" backwards as well, but it isn't very graceful. Backwards may not be a default option when scared, however.

November 27, 2007, 04:17 AM	#8
sketchy Junior Member Join Date: September 16, 2007 Posts: 13	I shot a doe and it hit pretty hard in the field, it ran into some CRP brush and we could see her back through the tall grass, 20 yards into the brush she went down we sat their and gave her a few minutes we walked down and seen her blood trail. we found her 100 yards in the CRP brush. talk about stop, drop, and roll.

November 27, 2007, 09:44 AM	#9
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I watched a couple of braggin' bucks fighting one time. With horns engaged, they charged back and forth, maybe 50 to 75 yards with each engagement. Fast? Folks, I had a serious case of the jaw-drops! If he has to, a buck can run backwards as fast as most dogs can run forward. Realize, though, that unless there's some reason like the fight, a buck's gonna spin and run forward. I wouldn't call running backwards a preferred method of travel... , Art

December 1, 2007, 04:16 PM	#10
Andrew93 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2007 Location: sneaking up on you Posts: 106	i never thought about the 2 deer fighting part. Then i have seen deer run backwards.