Snowy Deer

[CaraRose]

Catching up on my backlog. From the first snow storm of the season, December 4. Went to the nature center. Some lady ignored or didn't read the sign and opened the gate to let a whole horde of deer in just before I left. They keep the gate closed to limit deer entering the preserve due to the overpopulation and overgrazing damaging the preserve.

I'm not big on the policy since there's a breeding population inside and keeping the gates closed is a short term approach that's now being implemented long term. Eventually the ones inside are going to breed up to unsupported levels. Though I think they may find other, less easy ways in and out. But if that's what they're implementing, we ought to respect it.

I saw Bum Ear outside a week later, so at least some of them were able to get out again.

1


2 This is the smallest of the three really big bucks


3 I'd think all that snow on the antlers would get annoying


4 One of the two biggest bucks. Bum Ear and this guy are about the same size.


5


6 2 year old, maybe? Cute little guy.


7 Whatcha mean it's for the birds??


8 I've nicknamed this guy "Bum Ear" since he has a bad ear that just hangs. One of the two largest bucks in the area. Wonder if he and the other big boy had a few battles that snapped that antler tine.


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10 Bum Ear from behind


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12 One of the does


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15 A few does were still outside by the rock fountain


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[Eric D]

Mighty nice neighbors to have....nice series!

[billy320]

Great Shots !!!

[paulnj]

Very nice series of deer images.

I would think they will actually kill or otherwise remove the deer inside after a study to be honest.

[CaraRose]

Very nice series of deer images.

I would think they will actually kill or otherwise remove the deer inside after a study to be honest.

They've been trying to do a cull for years. The community spazzes any time it comes up and immediately quashes it.

It pisses me off since the folks who are against a cull don't ever bother to pay attention to the consequences of allowing the deer to overpopulate out of control. They don't notice the dead buck that's in one corner of the nature center right now, or the yearling that was dead last winter... both I'd guess starvation. And they don't see the yearling covered in blood, or the doe that was hobbling around all last spring and summer with a bad leg, both probably after run ins with cars.

Argh.

[paulnj]

As a nature and animal lover, which are qualities we surely share, let them know that state biologists can surely suggest ways to save the understory in the preserve , while providing those deer with the life they deserve. Whether tranqing them for removal , herding them out or a CULL , deer can not go over populated in a fenced area for too long before numbers get too high and all you have is barberry and mature trees(no new growth to replace old growth). As you are aware, starvation is a major concern also and it's a fact it is or will happen .

I assure you, I have seen what the treehugger group can do to property with the "poor deer" battle cry. 3000 acres of very little understory and of that 700 acres is fenced in with 8 foot high barberry bushes, nonnative weeds, 100 yr old trees and not one single 2 year old tree or older...UNTIL THEY REMOVED THE DEER COMPLETELY.

[CERAMICMIKE]

Lovely images, Cara. I really must try to get a few images of our deer from the nearby Wyre Forest. I have tried, but they are very skilled at avoiding people and camera lenses.