Have you ever wondered if you can ride deer? It’s not an uncommon question for people who have seen magical stories and fantasy tales depicting humans riding majestic stags. So, can you actually ride deer? The short answer is no, you typically cannot ride deer in real life.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll answer this question in full detail and provide key information on the anatomy, behavior, legal issues, attempts, and alternatives involved in trying to ride deer. We’ll discuss why it’s extremely difficult and impractical for the average person to ride deer.
By the end, you’ll know everything there is to know about whether riding a deer is possible or advisable.
Anatomy and Behavior Reasons Why Deer Are Unsuitable for Riding
Deer Were Not Built to Be Ridden
Deer have a slender physique and delicate legs that were not designed to bear the weight of a human rider. Their spindly legs would likely buckle and break under the stress. According to wildlife experts, the skeletal structure and muscle mass of deer are only equipped to transport their own body weight and light antlers.
Riding a deer could seriously injure the animal or lead to lifelong complications.
Difficulty Controlling and Directing Deer
Deer lack any natural handles, reigns or straps to grasp onto while riding. With no way to steer, stop or direct a deer, the rider would quickly lose control. Even if you attempted to use reigns or a saddle, a deer’s instincts would kick in, causing it to dart off in unpredictable directions.
Their flighty nature makes deer nearly impossible to control.
Deer Easily Get Started and Spooked
Deer are very high-strung, nervous animals that startle and spook extremely easily. Their instincts tell them to run from any potential threat. Sudden movements or loud noises can trigger a deer’s fight-or-flight response in an instant.
Anything from a snapping twig to a rustle in the bushes could send a deer bolting and eject its rider.
Constant Threat of Being Bucked or Thrown Off
A deer’s natural reaction to having a human on its back would be to buck, kick and try throwing the rider off. Deer only allow humans to approach them closely in very controlled situations, like hand-raised deer on a farm. A wild deer would immediately see a rider as a threat.
Experts warn that attempting to ride a wild deer would likely end with the deer bucking and sending the person flying.
Health and Safety Risks for Both Deer and Human
Riding a deer poses serious health and safety consequences. The unnatural pressure and weight distribution on a deer’s back could cause muscle strains, joint dislocations, bone fractures, spinal misalignment and long-term musculoskeletal damage.
For the human, potential injuries range from bruises and scrapes to broken bones, head trauma and even death from being thrown from the deer’s back at high speeds. There is simply no way to ride a deer safely.
Legal and Ethical Issues With Attempting to Ride Deer
Rules About Capturing, Taming, and Riding Wildlife
In most areas, it is illegal to capture, tame or keep native wildlife like deer without permits. Even if you get permits, there are often restrictions on what you can do with the animals. For example, in many U.S. states it is unlawful to keep deer as pets or for entertainment purposes like riding.
Some key laws and regulations on possessing wildlife in the U.S. include:
- The Endangered Species Act protects threatened and endangered species from being harmed, possessed or sold.
- States have their own laws and regulations restricting possession of native wildlife. Permits are required in most cases.
- The Lacey Act bans interstate transport and commerce of illegally possessed wildlife.
So in areas where deer live, laws generally prohibit capturing, taming or keeping them without authorization. And permits usually do not allow using deer for entertainment or riding purposes due to animal welfare concerns.
Animal Cruelty Concerns
Another issue with attempting to ride deer is that it can constitute animal cruelty and harassment. Some concerns include:
- Causing deer stress and fear by capturing, confinement, training and riding attempts.
- Risk of injuries to the deer from restraints, training methods or falls.
- Forcing unnatural behaviors on wild animals for human entertainment.
Many veterinarians and animal behavior experts argue that riding deer, even if done “humanely,” involves unavoidable distress and health risks for the animals. So while it may seem fun, attempting to turn wild deer into rideable animals raises serious animal welfare concerns.
Invasive and Irresponsible Behavior
Trying to ride wild deer can also be viewed as invasive, irresponsible behavior towards wildlife. Reasons for this view include:
- Interfering with deer in their natural environment.
- Risk of spreading diseases between deer and humans.
- Setting a poor example that could lead others to harass wildlife.
- Potential to upset delicate ecosystems if deer are removed.
Because of these risks and ethical concerns, attempting to ride wild deer is widely seen as irresponsible behavior rather than a harmless adventure. It threatens deer welfare and promotes disrespect for wildlife.
For these reasons, most authorities strongly discourage interacting with deer in this way.
People Who Have Attempted to Ride Deer
Famous Fantasy Tales and Myths
Stories of people riding deer have captivated our imaginations for ages. From Santa’s flying reindeer to tales of forest spirits riding white stags, these fantasy creatures have become ingrained in folklore across cultures.
Who hasn’t imagined themselves galloping through magical woods on the back of a mighty buck?
Instances Throughout History
Attempts to tame and ride deer are documented throughout history. Ancient petroglyphs depict early man hunting deer by foot and on horseback. While deer riding wasn’t common, some cavalrymen were said to have tried racing deer or going to battle on stagback for speed and agility.
However, the skittish nature of deer would have made this very difficult.
Modern Attempts and Youtube Videos
Today, dozens of unusual Youtube videos claim to show modern daredevils riding deer. In most cases, the deer buck and bolt after a few seconds. Trying to break a wild deer is extremely challenging and often considered unethical.
While deer can make affectionate pets, trying to ride them can be unpredictable and is not recommended by wildlife experts.
Alternatives to Riding Deer
Ride Horses and Other Domesticated Animals
Instead of attempting to ride wild deer, many people enjoy riding domesticated animals like horses, donkeys, mules, and even camels. These animals have been specially bred and trained for riding over centuries. Riding stables offer guided trail rides on tame horses in scenic areas.
For those who want to ride their own mount, horses can be purchased and kept safely on private properties or boarding facilities.
In addition to horses, some people keep and ride other hoofed domesticates like llamas and alpacas. These camelids are known for their friendly temperaments. With proper training, they can be saddled and taken on calm rides while being less intimidating than a large horse.
Choose Deer-Inspired Recreations Like Sleds or Carousels
Those enamored with deer can enjoy the experience of riding a deer through safer activities. Many holiday events feature reindeer sleigh rides pulled by trusted domestic reindeer. These give the feeling of riding behind a noble deer without direct contact.
Parks often have carousels with carved deer figures for children to ride. Backyard play sets even sell spring-mounted “reindeer rides” for young kids. While not living deer, these whimsical options let people fulfill the fantasy of “riding” deer.
Enjoy Viewing Deer Safely From Afar
People eager to get close to deer should enjoy viewing them safely from a distance. Nature preserves with wild deer often have tours and blinds set up for convenient wildlife viewing. Guides can provide tips on respectfully photographing deer in their native habitats without disturbing them.
At some parks, docile breeds like sika deer may even approach visitors in hopes of treats while still keeping a comfortable distance between species.
Catching glimpses of wild deer roaming free, even from afar, allows people to admire their grace and natural beauty without attempting risky activities like riding them. Appreciating deer on their own turf, not trying to dominate them, is the wisest way for humans to peacefully coexist with these woodland creatures.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored in depth, while riding deer may seem like an amazing idea inspired by fantasy stories, these animals simply are not built physically or mentally for being ridden by humans. Attempting to ride deer would most likely result in harm, legal issues, and ethical concerns over animal cruelty.
If you truly wish to connect with nature and appreciate deer, do so from a safe distance without interfering with wildlife or breaking laws intended to protect animals.
We hope this comprehensive guide gave you a full answer on whether it’s actually possible to ride deer. Let us know if you have any other questions!
