I hunted a DEP property many times during the 2025 archery season that had a moderate hike in and an easy hike out. On multiple occasions, both coming and going, I encountered a young deer (a small spike buck) that was completely fine with me walking nearby. I mean, it didn’t care about me at all! I got to within 10 yards to take cell phone photos and video. I’d never experienced this in the wild.
What was going on with him? He seemed perfectly healthy. Maybe he was just young and hadn’t learned to fear people. Maybe a neighboring landowner was feeding deer, and he became habituated to humans. At any rate, I was awestruck as I stood there with my bow and backpack, just watching him feed and occasionally jerk his head up to look at me.
I feared for him though. How was he going to make it between the coyotes and gun season just around the corner? He was not a legal buck here in the New York City Watershed, but still. I didn’t want to think about that. I thanked him for the encounter, wished him the best, and made my way back to the truck. I hoped he’d develop the good sense(s) a deer needs to survive in the wild.
A couple of public service announcements:
- It’s generally not a good idea to approach wildlife, especially wildlife doing something strange, but I did it anyway. The deer seemed wholly uninterested in me. and I felt safe as it was just a young spike. Still, I kept some distance.
- Also, I have no proof that anyone was feeding deer, but don’t do it. This link gives some good information about why you shouldn’t.
