It used to be the geese that nibbled our grass/clover. The grounds crew sure has changed as we changed our environment. Deer have a territory that includes forest and our grass/clovered lawn.
I know they tell us we need not feed them until February when food is scarce, but we are happy to provide sanctuary on our acreage. They do not feed exclusively at the feeder. They rip away at the grass, nibble weeds, chomp on various garden plants, and cover a wide range of territory on our property, but seldom graze far. I have been up on the ladder working, turned around as I felt someone watching me!
Communication
They comunicate through smells, body language and sounds. Stamping to warn Oliver away, and snorting at other times. They are very wary, especially if they/we hear gun fire. Their ears are always directed towards sounds. They seem to understand the car noises and are less vigilant, if they aren't at the roadside. I have watched them from my front door as traffic slows, drivers honk, and cars scream to a stop.
Food and digestion
Our deer feed is a MNR-created recipe found at our local seed company. We put out black sunflower seed for the birds, cracked corn in the mix for the mourning doves and turkeys, as well as shelled peanuts for the woodpeckers, niger seed for the finches. It is well worth it to watch them! Deer eat acorns, nuts, aquatic vegetation (see our bog!), green plants, fruits, grasses, and nibble tree branches. They do not have incisors, but rip away at the greenery.
They eat quickly, between 2 - 4 kg. (5 - 9 lbs.) per day, taking off to digest regurgitated food in their 4 (count 'em!) stomachs. They are able to digest cellulose, unlike the rest of us.
Strength, beauty and speed
Deer can jump over 2 metres high (8 feet), leap 9 m (30 '), and run up to nearly 60 km/h (36 mph). They swim, and I've seen a regular, worn deer path through our bog. They range between 45 and 136 kg. (100 - 300 lbs.) between the smaller does and larger bucks. I am amazed at their size, which is why there is night danger and much signage in Ontario.
Seasonal behaviour
Our three are made up of two does, and a fawn, who is almost as big as her mother. I love watching mom groom her. I think there is a lone doe, but it is hard to tell! They pretty much look alike. In fall, the bucks are not eating much, as they are in rut. They secrete hormones, which mark their territory. In winter, deer gather in herds.
The does hang out together in groups, as do the bucks, wth 3- 5 males together, all fighting for power. Once rutting season is over, winter comes and the bucks lose their antlers.
Visit Fallow Deer Reserve, and the article/photo to read more: Rut 101. She has a close up photo of her male!
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| They watch Joey carefully! |
Communication
They comunicate through smells, body language and sounds. Stamping to warn Oliver away, and snorting at other times. They are very wary, especially if they/we hear gun fire. Their ears are always directed towards sounds. They seem to understand the car noises and are less vigilant, if they aren't at the roadside. I have watched them from my front door as traffic slows, drivers honk, and cars scream to a stop.
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| FAWN in the middle! |
Food and digestion
Our deer feed is a MNR-created recipe found at our local seed company. We put out black sunflower seed for the birds, cracked corn in the mix for the mourning doves and turkeys, as well as shelled peanuts for the woodpeckers, niger seed for the finches. It is well worth it to watch them! Deer eat acorns, nuts, aquatic vegetation (see our bog!), green plants, fruits, grasses, and nibble tree branches. They do not have incisors, but rip away at the greenery.
 |
| N. Ontario sign |
Strength, beauty and speed
Deer can jump over 2 metres high (8 feet), leap 9 m (30 '), and run up to nearly 60 km/h (36 mph). They swim, and I've seen a regular, worn deer path through our bog. They range between 45 and 136 kg. (100 - 300 lbs.) between the smaller does and larger bucks. I am amazed at their size, which is why there is night danger and much signage in Ontario.
Seasonal behaviour
Our three are made up of two does, and a fawn, who is almost as big as her mother. I love watching mom groom her. I think there is a lone doe, but it is hard to tell! They pretty much look alike. In fall, the bucks are not eating much, as they are in rut. They secrete hormones, which mark their territory. In winter, deer gather in herds.
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| She's watching for Oliver! |
Visit Fallow Deer Reserve, and the article/photo to read more: Rut 101. She has a close up photo of her male!
Deer population
It seems that the deer population has diminished in Ontario. Hunters tell us that they go out and only see deer once in ten visits.
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| Alway watching, scouring the forest for predators. |
CBC radio news told us that the deer population has gone from 12 deer/km2, to only 3.
Hunting regulations are not simple, for many reasons.
Ensure that you know the regs. in your area (Ontario).
The season is open here for two weeks, Nov. 1 - 14, but only bucks, with antlers, are allowed to be taken.
Hunt safely and know what lies beyond your immediate view.
Read, Muskoka Outdoors for more info.
Bill Anderson provides reminders for hunters:
- Bow hunters can still hunt at this time, but they need to wear hunter orange
- Ontario hunters can not use real deer urine products as scents and attractors
- There is a hunter orange requirement in Ontario
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| Looks like she's ready for show |
4 comments:
Great pictures -- you almost have a full time job keeping your critters fed and healthy. Thanks for sharing.
We have deer in our yard, too. I was musing with dh if we should feed/water them due to the drought. Not sure what to put out. Dh doesn't want them to come up to the house so I'd have to carry it to the back.
Well, Sallie, once a day we feed the deer. The birds we do every other day. The blue jays are merciless and take everything, hiding it in trees, nooks and crannies for a 'rainy' day!
It's true, Junosmom, bad to feed them as they'll become tame soon. There is a natural eb and flow of population, with lime disease, food and habitat scarcity, hunting. We don't make much difference to our three, but they are healthy with store-bought, MNR-recipe, good food. Our granddaughter just loves watching them.
We don't feed deer intentionally, they simply enjoy eating my decorative plants! Once, a deer felt that I was intruding on it's cache of my Day Lilies and lunged towards me. When another deer came along it jump right on it, pounding it's hoofs on the intruders rib cage! I didn't realize how aggressive they can be after the initial stamping and snorting warning.
So watch your back Jenn!!!
P.S. Is Oliver part Labrador?
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