Do does “roar” to warn other deer?

By Grant Woods,

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← Grant's Answers — Deer Biology
Question
While muzzleloading this year in Kentucky, I had the misfortune of making a spine shot on a doe. As soon as she hit the ground she let out with a loud, for lack of a better term, roar. I have never heard a doe make this noise, nor have I ever heard anyone talk about a doe doing this. She was in a group of 6 other does. Was this some type of a warning for the others?

Troy,

Congratulations on tagging a doe!  I suspect that verbalization was out of distress or fear.  It’s not a normal deer vocalization.

Enjoy creation,

grant

November 23, 2015