I was a deer whisperer. We had a lot of wild deer on our property [acreage in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest]. Over the years [almost 20 generations so they were all different deer each year] I learned how to hang out with them and approach them without freaking them out. I could almost walk up and pet them. But the crowing moment was when I managed to get a fawn to come RUNNING to me. I got her attention and gave her a few fast blinks, which is deer for LET'S PLAY! She popped her head up, hesitated, and then ran towards me. I gave her a couple more blinks and she started running to me again. However, mama didn't like that one bit! She came running over, jumped between us, got face to face with me and threatened to attack. I just looked her in the eye and said in a very soothing voice I wouldn't hurt her baby. She backed down a bit and finally walked away. Whew! I thought for sure she was going to lay into me with those hooves.
That was touch and go- I know that you don’t get between a cow and her calf, and I bet a doe and faun would be the same!
Which is why mine are indoor only. Now, if he could figure out a way to add vinegar to the spray, it would help with the memory retention...
That’s interesting, why vinegar? on reflection, is it the taste when they groom themselves or the smell? Possibly both.
Cats HATE strong, sharp odors. Vinegar is commonly used in spray bottle aversion because it is harmless, but offends the absolute hell out of cats. Two or three good repeat shots and they will freeze and/or reverse direction if you even reach for the spray bottle.