Deer hunting was once a huge adventure. It required planning, preparation, and travel. The huntable deer herds were in more remote places. Trophy critters were even deeper in the forests.
Today, there are more deer than ever before. Thanks to the efforts of sportsmen and wildlife managers, there are places where wildlife can thrive.
Deer are great survivors and can adapt quickly to new habitats, no matter how small. Just 3 acres may supply the water, food, and habitat for survival. Sometimes these homes are next to yours.
In the deer world, survival teaches lessons. If the critter does not learn them, they lose and die. The survivors teach the next generation the ropes. Wild critters have memories from extreme experiences.
Many Montana cities are becoming deer habitat. Shrubbery, and friendly people often welcome these wild neighbors. Culling hunts, trapping, and other methods have been used to thin these city herds.
Recently, we have had a young buck move into our neighborhood. We see the forky mulie about every other day. His one antler is bent, and still covered in velvet, perhaps from some crazy encounter with a truck, fence, or pet. He has been vacuuming up the crab apples on my front yard. My neighbor has an 8 foot fence that has failed to deter deer from jumping over it. He has had deer in his yard in the past.
We have seen deer in the past, but normally late in the winter. A small male black bear also once strolled down the road, through the development. Our neighborhood is fenced and has half acre lots. 300 plus homes are built in a maze that people find hard to navigate.
Deer in close quarters can be a health concern. Diseases can be spread between animals, car strikes can cause injury, rut behavior can become violent. Deer belong in the wild and not urban centers. Deer can also defend themselves against dogs or threats. A swift kick could kill a pet or kid.
I hope that this young buck survives and finds his way back to some real deer habitat out of the neighborhood. He seems to understand how to deal with people’s dogs and fences. No trucks have come close to hitting him yet. We haven’t seen any does, but they are commonly seen a few miles away and may show up for the Rut.
Oh Deer!
Montana Grant
