Whitetail Deer Scent Glands

Hi Everyone,

My friend Cindy compiled this information from the book, "Way of the Whitetailed Deer" by Leonard Lee Rue III.



Whitetail Deer scent glands-

Preorbital or lachrymal glands (tear duct glands)- forward edge of the eyes

- They are rubbed on vegetation. From Mr. Rue’s observations, he has concluded “that it is a very pleasurable stimulation. That may sound anthropomorphic, but the deer close their eyes and look as if they are enjoying it.”, page 52. He does not say if it is related to the breeding season or if it is rubbed year round and used more for general communications.

Tarsal Glands- Location: inside, upper hind legs in the tarsal area.

- both sexes use the tarsal glands in rub-urination, fawns start using them at one and two weeks old.

- Rub-urination is done throughout the year, but more often during the rut.

- pheromones given off by these glands are unique to each animal.



Forehead Glands- Location: forehead and area behind the antlers, in front of the ears.

- both sexes have forehead glands, but bucks have many more.

- the glands are basically inactive during most of the year, but greatly increase secretion during the rut.

- the more dominate the buck, the more he rubs and the darker his forehead becomes.



Nasal Glands- Location: posterior portion of the deer’s nostrils

- may deposit scent when rubbing forehead and preorbital glands.



Salivary Glands- Location: saliva

- ammonia based scent

- deer chew on the tip of an over-head branch of any major scrape greatly increasing the amount of crushed fiber ends.

- most bucks drool drops, and even long strings, of saliva during the rut.



Preputial Gland- Location: tip of buck’s penis sheath

- may add additional pheromones to the buck’s urine



Interdigital Glands- Location: between the deer’s two center toes

- grayish secretion that has the consistency similar to the wax of our ears.

- as the deer walk they leave a trail of scent, this is how they track each other.