NEVER TRUST A REINDEER IN RUT! Rut refers to the male behaviour in the breeding season. Rut is preceded by the antler calcifying (hardening) and being rubbed clean. This process often literally happens overnight. At that time, the bull reindeer becomes more aggressive. He can turn from this friendly calm animal to one that needs to be approached with caution. At this point the antlers should be removed for the safety of yourself and the other reindeer as well as to preserve your fences since they often like to 'work out' on the fence. As they go deeper in rut and particularly if there are females about the bull is a dangerous animal, exhibiting unpredictable behaviour. Being tamed and/or trained does not reduce the danger - in fact it generally makes it worse since the bull than has no fear to hold him back. If he happens to percieve you as competition or a threat of some kind the bull is ready to attack. Reindeer owners have been injured by their 'friendly' reindeer gone bad. This is triggered by a hormone cycle. Once 'rut' is over this feisty bull reindeer will go back to being a calm, friendly animal.

Page updated Nov. 2004