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Author
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Topic: deer dynamics
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cgm
Member Posts: 465
From: Wimberley
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted October 06, 2005 07:51 PM
 
I feed a herd of about 20 deer: 8-10 does, 5-7 fawns, 3 bucks. They don't all appear at the same time so it's hard to get an accurate count. I'm curious about many things & maybe someone can help me with that. Some of their coats are still very tawny; others have turned various degrees of grey. The bucks don't seem to be as intimidated by the does as during the past few months. I know that one evening I counted 7 spotted fawns, but now only see about 5. Their spots could have faded but it's hard to get a real inventory. The bucks seem to be a bit more assertive with the does - rutting season????I know it's been a tough summer for our wildlife & am delighted that I can provide for them. I do not feed them corn; just deer chow & they seem to thoroughly enjoy it. I'd appreciate any feedback,
CGM
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Felicity
Member Posts: 53
From: Wimberley
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted October 07, 2005 04:54 PM
It's time for deer to change into winter coats. It does seem to happen quite quickly. We have fawns around here and the first 2 babies to appear last spring have no spots at all by now. They look like delicate little miniatures. I don't know if spots disappear at x number of weeks or if it depends on weather, etc. Maybe somebody else can tell you.The bucks here are getting more assertive. I know from experience the gentle little boys of the spring can undergo a personality change you wouldn't believe. I'm going to be much more careful around them for the next few months and enjoy them from a respectful distance. If one gives me that stamp, stamp warning with a front foot, I'm outta there you can bet. Or even a dirty look - I'm gone. I think I read a posting about feeding deer somewhere else in this forum. I'm not sure but I think it's not a good idea. The deer we have here like to nibble on what nature has provided - that's how we get to see them. They really are beautiful and we enjoy them too.
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cgm
Member Posts: 465
From: Wimberley
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted November 20, 2005 12:58 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Felicity:
It's time for deer to change into winter coats. It does seem to happen quite quickly. We have fawns around here and the first 2 babies to appear last spring have no spots at all by now. They look like delicate little miniatures. I don't know if spots disappear at x number of weeks or if it depends on weather, etc. Maybe somebody else can tell you.The bucks here are getting more assertive. I know from experience the gentle little boys of the spring can undergo a personality change you wouldn't believe. I'm going to be much more careful around them for the next few months and enjoy them from a respectful distance. If one gives me that stamp, stamp warning with a front foot, I'm outta there you can bet. Or even a dirty look - I'm gone. I think I read a posting about feeding deer somewhere else in this forum. I'm not sure but I think it's not a good idea. The deer we have here like to nibble on what nature has provided - that's how we get to see them. They really are beautiful and we enjoy them too.
Where have all the "boys" gone? Last week, the bucks would arrive at feeding time, not all 5 of them, but several. One magnificent 8 point was chasing the does, head down, snoring & stomping the ground as he ran. But, other than the smalles buck, a 2 point, I haven't seen them in over a week. The does tolerate the young buck, "Gimp", at the trough, then one of them will chase him off. The does also seem to be more assertive with each other. So, where are the "boys"?
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Bubba
Member Posts: 10
From: Wimberley
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted November 20, 2005 07:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by cgm:
Where have all the "boys" gone? Last week, the bucks would arrive at feeding time, not all 5 of them, but several. One magnificent 8 point was chasing the does, head down, snoring & stomping the ground as he ran. But, other than the smalles buck, a 2 point, I haven't seen them in over a week. The does tolerate the young buck, "Gimp", at the trough, then one of them will chase him off. The does also seem to be more assertive with each other. So, where are the "boys"?
KA-Boom!!!
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kayh
Member Posts: 118
From: Wimberley Texas USA
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted July 29, 2010 11:39 PM
cgm.......you posted about feeding the deer a while ago. I'm wondering if you are still feeding them and if so.....have you had any of your neighbors complain about it?
I adore the deer and when I moved here, they looked pathetic. Some looked like they were on deaths door, in fact. I began feeding them a good diet and before long....we had a beautiful herd. Healthy babies have been born and they are all healthy and seem to be happy wildlife. But I'm having some issues with a couple of neighbors suddenly NOT wanting me to feed the deer. I only feed on MY property. While I don't want issues with anyone....I'm very upset over this and don't understand why anyone would be disturbed over feeding deer that are NOT going anywhere. This is their home and was their home way before any houses were built. Any advice? Thanks in advance.
kayhley
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Mr Chievous
Member Posts: 144
From: Wimberley, TX USofA
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted July 30, 2010 03:58 PM
The self-absorbed nature of man to think that his intervention in nature is benefit to the process is really something to behold. An here we have a shining example. I'd like to first mention that just because you're doing something on your property, doesn't mean it has no effect on your neighbors. It's a little concept that most people find unimportant despite their weekly church gatherings. Using your logic, it seems it should be permissible for folks to feed the wild animal of their choice as long as it's done within the confines of their property. Feral cats are a good choice. Maybe someone should also take care to be sure the coyote population isn't floundering. After all, this is also their homes too. There are good reasons that people are discouraged from feeding deer. A quick web search will probably explain it. If not, try giving Lakeway City Hall a call and see what their thoughts are on deer feeding. More than anything, I'm especially curious about what your idea of a good diet is for the deer.
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Miss Chris
Member Posts: 345
From: Wimberley, Texas
Registered: Nov 2006
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posted July 30, 2010 04:08 PM
Humans are kind of strange the way they will pick a wild species to feed (deer)and abhor and kill mindlessly other species (coyotes). Some folks in a town in Michigan started feeding the geese and ducks. The geese and ducks decided not to migrate in the winter because they were getting fed. The birds became so numerous that they destroyed a small lake with all of their feces. Then the people tried to figure how to get rid of them. You can imagine how that all ended up.
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cgm
Member Posts: 465
From: Wimberley
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted July 30, 2010 04:49 PM
I stopped feeding the deer years ago. I finally accepted the logic in not doing so. And, realized that I was being very self serving as watching them at the trough was my entertainment. I still enjoy watching them but have given up my need to be their benevolent benefactor.What finally turned me around was when a friend of mine caught me at King Feed with a bag of Deer Chow & asked me how I was going to feel when the deer population became so out of control that they would have to be "slaughtered". It was little harsh but it got my attention. [This message has been edited by cgm (edited July 30, 2010).]
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kayh
Member Posts: 118
From: Wimberley Texas USA
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted August 01, 2010 01:25 AM
I want to thank you all for your advice....You are right. It is/was for my enjoyment. I cannot argue with your logic, that is for sure. I guess I will have to do as you have done and stop feeding them. The LAST THING I ever want to do is harm them in any way. Thank you again.......
k
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Reddog
Member Posts: 534
From: dripping springs, tx, usa
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted August 02, 2010 10:45 AM
Since I don't live in Wimberley proper, and all my neighbors, what few there are have large tracts of land; deer are fed. Yep some of it's for hunting purposes by the neighbors. For me, by setting up a couple of food, water and mineral block sites, it keeps them away from the garden and off the front porch.But in an area such as Woodcreek, well, Bambi and car isn't a good combination for either. Then there are ticks, and bucks in rut.
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jerry
Member Posts: 156
From:
Registered: Aug 2009
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posted September 12, 2010 09:35 AM
Lengthy article in the 9/1 View in the Guest Column by Richard Sullivan that deals with the consequences of feeding the deer - very bad and I wish Hays County overall would come up with a ban, leaving an exemption for the deer lease people if that what it takes to get it done.
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jerry
Member Posts: 156
From:
Registered: Aug 2009
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posted August 09, 2011 04:23 PM
Getting harder to keep from feeding the deer but I do put out a big tub of water in the shade and it is pretty much empty every morning. I have been feeding the birds or was until the squirrels figured how to do their acrobatics and empty the feeder.
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