Deers are magnificent in their elegance and beauty. They can be tamed and kept as pets under the right circumstances when their nature and requirements are understood. It would be best if you didn’t take this decision so lightly. It would help if you keep in mind that deer are prey animals.
They don’t usually attack but are attacked. They are preprogrammed to flee at the first sign of danger. This is a piece of knowledge you must know if you want to know how to tame a deer.
There are a few measures you can take to tame a deer:
Table of Contents
- Build an enclosure
- Get a fawn
- Take time to build trust.
- Types of Deer Kept as Pets
- Muntjac Deer
- Sitka Deer
- Reindeer
- Axis Deer
- Fallow Deer
- White-Tailed Deer
- How to hand-feed a deer?
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Build an enclosure
Keep the deer in a small enclosure, feed it, and treat it well, and it will soon forget its fear of you. That’s a bad idea, especially with bucks. When the rut hits, they’ll try to stomp, gore, or both on you. Doe is also capable of becoming quite ruthless.
Get a fawn
You can also start with a fawn, bottle-feed it, and spend a reasonable amount of time with it. If you do it for a considerable amount of time, it will almost certainly become relatively tame and hang around your place without needing a fence. You can also give it treats like sweet-tasting dairy chow or chicken feed to attract it even more.
Make sure to start with a female if you want to stay around for the long term. When the rut comes, bucks can be highly deadly. Even a light-hearted head butt could land you in the hospital.
Take time to build trust.
If you have a deer that comes to visit you occasionally and eats the food you leave out for it, you can slowly gain its trust by being gentle and not rushing things. Deers are always on the lookout for predators and are scared off, so if you make an unprecedented move, it’ll scare them off. What you can do is give the deer enough time to get comfortable around you. And instead of you approaching the deer, let it come to you.
Types of Deer Kept as Pets
Deers are wild animals, and keeping them as pets might not be the best idea. However, you should know of six types of deer if you want to keep a deer as a pet. You should also check your local regulations about deer keeping; some states do not allow it without a permit.
Muntjac Deer
The ability of this animal to grow to the size of a dog places it among the top six species to consider when contemplating deer as pets. Expert breeders state that Muntjac deer are neat, well-behaved, and tiny enough to be raised in the home.
These deer have protruding fangs, which are made up of canine teeth. These teeth can damage furniture, so if you want to keep these deers indoors, put them in a vacant room.
The best place to keep them is outdoors. These deers can smell almost no odor and can be very affectionate.
Sitka Deer
Using ninety different types of mammals, a group of Dutch researchers investigated the suitability of pets. This research aimed to respond to the Dutch national animal protection policy of 2013.
After dogs, cats, and other common species, the Sitka deer was the most suitable for keeping as a pet. The rationale for this could be as a result of its peaceful life. Other benefits include a 25-year lifespan, the opportunity to socialize, and the availability of spots well into adulthood.
If you enjoy flying for tourism and relaxation, Nara Park in Japan is known for its Sitka deer ecology. These deer roam freely in the park and are friendly to humans. If you desire this type of deer, you’ll have to pay close attention to them; just like other deer, they require a lot of socialization.
Reindeer
However, these creatures are the only ones thought to have been domesticated. The Reindeer has been historically hunted and used as a mode of transportation for individual citizens for its steak, hides, and milk.
If you want to get this deer, feed it lichens all winter long since they have the enzyme Lichenase, which can digest lichen. The United States Revenue Cutter Service semi-domesticated the Reindeer in Alaska’s state in the 19th century as a means of food for its residents.
Axis Deer
These are spotted deer, which are thought to have originated in India. Some people call them Chital, while others refer to them as spotted deer. They graze primarily on grasses and are found across Texas.
The Axis deer were imported into the Molokai, Maui, and Lanai sections of the Hawaiian island to increase its hunting population, which has resulted in some climate damage. They can prevent disease and may not require deworming or vaccinations.
Fallow Deer
The origins of these deer can be traced back to western Eurasia. They have characteristics that allow them to adapt to domestication, such as being spotted or sexually dimorphic. According to history, they were acknowledged as domesticated in the 9th century B.C.
These deer types are kept in zoos, estates, and parks rather than people’s homes. Certain localities do not enforce these species’ limitations due to their inability to mate with other deer varieties.
They live for 15 to 25 years and can leap up to 7 feet. As a result, increasing the fencing height to as much as 8 feet is recommended; chronic infections will not be disseminated.
You might also advise that these deer be raised on pastures that can handle other ungulates, which are typically held in the case of Fallow deer. The Fallow deer species provides a sustainable antler velvet harvest, which is expected on the Asian market.
White-Tailed Deer
These deer are mainly kept for their meat and can be found in several locations around the United States. Although saving these deer as livestock is prohibited, they can be tamed and make excellent pets.
Orphaned fawns have been recovered and successfully fostered by hunters in several cases. The authorities, on the other hand, seize these deer. These fawns frequently wander away from their surroundings when their mother white-tailed deer leaves for food.
On the other hand, these deer are notorious for causing car accidents, and because they are agile, they may climb fences and destroy gardens and ornaments. Before the domestication regulations for deer species are altered and updated, you can accept other species as viable.
How to hand-feed a deer?
The most important thing to remember while hand-feeding deer is to keep your hands flat, like when hand-feeding a horse or pony. The deer may become confused and try to eat your fingers if you curl your fingers around the meal. You can even make a bowl out of your hands to hold the food out for the deer. It would help if you also remembered to wash your hands after feeding the deer.
Deers eat plants, grass, tree leaves, shoots, and other wild plants. They will occasionally consume fruit, berries, and tree bark if necessary.
FAQ
Can deer be tamed?
While deer are wild animals by nature, it is possible to establish a level of trust and familiarity with them through patient and consistent interactions.
Is it legal to tame a deer?
Laws regarding the taming of deer vary by location. In many areas, it is illegal to keep wild deer as pets or to tamper with wildlife in any way. Always check local regulations before attempting to tame a deer.
What is the best method for taming a deer?
The best method for taming a deer is through gradual acclimatization and positive reinforcement. This involves providing food offerings at a safe distance, gradually decreasing the distance over time as the deer becomes more comfortable.
How long does it take to tame a deer?
The time it takes to tame a deer varies depending on the individual animal’s temperament and previous exposure to humans. Some deer may become accustomed to human presence relatively quickly, while others may require more time and patience.
What foods can be used to tame a deer?
Deer are attracted to a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. Offerings such as apples, carrots, and leafy greens can be effective in gaining a deer’s trust.
Conclusion
Deer born in the wild are not supposed to be nurtured individually or as part of a human family; they are animals, part of the natural wildlife. Isolating children from their group and natural habitat is cruel. Although it’s possible to tame them, you should leave them alone.
