Missouri Deer
Here in Missouri the deer are definitely becoming smarter. I think the Department of Natural Resources are holding classes for the deer and teaching them the new regulations.
We have a point restriction in our county and I swear the deer know it. I was sitting in the blind, waiting and watched a nice size buck walk up to the blind. Although he was huge, he was not legal because of his antlers. He stood right in front of me, looking left, right, up and down. (I think he wanted to show me the regulation that said he was not legal, but could not find his copy of the game laws.)
As I was trying to shoo him away he would snort at me and although I do not understand deer language, I am pretty sure his momma would have been ashamed at the language he was using.
If I looked away from him, he would snort and carry on some more forcing me to look back at him. I later found out this was a ploy he used to try to stop me from looking over my shoulder. My nephew was in a stand on the other side of the field and later told me he saw three big does and a humongous buck walk about 25 yards behind me while I was fooling with that deer.
Once he figured out the other deer had safely made it past me, he slowly sauntered off, swishing his tail and making uncalled for remarks.
Yes, our deer in Missouri are getting smarter, even though they are of low moral character.