Deer

They finally got a break!

We are almost in the middle of march so I think it's safe to say the deer got the break they needed. The winter has been below normal on the severity index letting the animals travel and feed without to much problem. The last snow storm we received is going fast and bare ground is showing everywhere. The traditional deer yards have very few animals in them if any making it harder for the coyotes to target and kill them. Many of the locals who feed deer have said the number visiting is less than half of what they had last year. Both Dave and I have talked to the wildlife biologist in our area at great lengths on the subect of suplemental feeding. The IFW still is against the practise for numerous reasons some of which we agree with . The number one problem with feeding in my opinion is the fact that people are drawing the animals to areas to close to roads and houses. Everyone wants to see the animals they think they are saving and in fact by bringing them close to major roads they are putting them at risk. Deer are no match for the bumper of a vehicle and always end up the loser. Even if the collision is minor an injury at this time of year is almost always fatal. Coyotes target animals who are sick or injured and have a uncanny way of telling just which ones they are.
When it comes to feeding deer everyone should answer a few questions to themselves. First do I have a safe place away from houses and domestic pets to place the feed. Second will the deer visiting have to cross any roads at all to come to feed. Third am I willing to make the financial committment that it takes to feed for at least 100 days.[A deer will eat about 2 pounds of feed per day]. And fourth will I get to attached to the animals I am feeding as a live deer has no owner wether it is on your property or not. Don't get me wrong I agree wholeheartedly with feeding, provided it is done in the right way. So if you decide to feed in the future answer the 4 questions above and make the right decision.