Other names
Inspiration
In this game, one person acts like a deer grazing in the forest while a bunch of hungry cougars slowly stalk closer, hunting the deer.
Themes
Stealth, Balance, Strategy, Agility, Wide angle vision, Audacity, Awareness, Listening
Group size
8-16 players
Timing
5-10 min/round
Play area
Forest
Energy
Med (walking, stalking)
Age range
5+ years
Start formation
Scatter
Equipment
NONE
Hazards/safety
- Cougars rushing and essentially “tackling” the deer when they get close. Emphasize this is a STALKING, not a RUNNING, game.
Instructions
- The basic premise of this game is that one person pretends to be a deer browsing in the forest. Everyone else is a cougar, and all the cougars start by making a big circle around the deer, at least twenty LARGE steps away. When a facilitator says “go”, all the cougars stalk closer and closer to the deer, with the goal of tagging the deer without being “busted.”
- The key element of this game is STALKING, not RUNNING. Cougars must have at least one foot on the ground at all times.
- In this game, the deer only recognizes MOVEMENT as a threat, meaning: if a cougar is visible to the deer (standing totally in the open), the deer won’t recognize it as a threat so long as the cougar stays totally still. Still, there is benefit for the cougars to seek out and use cover (trees, bushes, etc.) as this lessens the chance that the deer will see them moving.
- If the deer sees a cougar moving, the deer should clap its hands once to get everyone’s attention, then immediately point at the “busted” cougar. Busted cougars need to take ten LARGE steps away from the deer, then can resume game play. This is to simulate the idea that the cougar’s hunt was unsuccessful, and in the real world, the deer would have run away.
- The deer is welcome to rove throughout the forest, moving away from suspicious areas and seeking cover if needed.
- Eventually, successful cougars will stalk within a few feet of the deer, and finally move close enough to gently tag the deer on the back or shoulders. Cougars should not rush towards or “tackle” the deer.
- Once a deer has been successfully tagged, positions can reset and a new round can start. It can be fun to move to a different forest area or terrain type for the next round.
For the game to be fun for everyone, it’s crucial that the deer is realistic and fair. It’s recommended that at least for the first few rounds, ONLY guides act as deer, at least until the children understand how a “good” deer acts in this game. Tips on being a “good” deer:
- Remember that the goal of the deer is to “make a fun game for everyone,” NOT to “never be caught.”
- The deer should crawl on the ground on hands and knees and pretend that they are intent on browsing for food. They should frequently lower their head to the ground and pretend to nibble on plants (the deer’s vision is often impaired at this time, which gives the cougars opportunities to sneak closer).
- The deer SHOULD often, and suddenly, look up and examine the forest around it, especially if there is noise or movement nearby. When the deer looks up, wise cougars immediately freeze.
- When deer are agitated, they will sometimes snort with their mouth and nose, and stomp their feet on the ground. This can serve as a warning, or to provoke another creature. In this game, if the deer has reason to be suspicious, it should snort and stomp – this often causes children to laugh and, therefore, be “busted.”
- Besides movement, there is one other way the deer can “bust” a cougar: eye contact. Explain that eye contact is a unique and recognizable phenonenom, and if the deer looks at a cougar and the cougar is looking back in its eyes, the cougar is busted. Cougars need to train themselves to NOT look at the deer’s eyes.
Modifications