Deer Birth Announcement
We have two new fawns! They were probably born Sunday night, July 27, 2014. Both appear normal and healthy.
Last year we regularly saw a doe in our fallowed cow pasture, and in July, she bore a fawn. Last winter several deer began visiting. The group included two yearlings, a pair of two-year olds, and several doe. One of the does looked pregnant. I didn’t see her on Monday, she came alone on Tuesday, and this morning she brought two tiny fawns.
Mule Deer are showing up in yards and gardens across the western U. S. Our continuing drought is limiting forage production, and combined with our incessant pumping, the drought is drying up some springs. We are happy to have deer visit. They are eating our weeds, pruning all of our shrubs and trees, and eating unfenced garden vegetables. They love to help the birds and squirrels clean up the sunflower and millet seeds I scatter each morning.
Western U. S. deer populations are shrinking. Well-known causes include livestock grazing, farming, construction, and hunting. We know that the causes of deer decline including hunting will not stop. These two small creatures could be shot and killed within the next two or three years. Nevertheless, we will continue to provide our bit of support to the deer and we are encouraging our neighbors to do so as well.
