This past week one of our local citizens hit a deer not too far down the highway from our home. It was near ten o'clock at night, plenty dark, and up she comes out of lower field, smack into the vehicle. There is very little warning when these things occur. Yes, it was a fatality! Of course it was taken care of, according to the laws, etc, by the proper authorities. The dented car, that is something the driver must handle. This is a frequent occurrence for those who live next door to deer and other wildlife. It is ingrained into driving habits to watch for deer, racoons, skunks, pheasants, even elk.
We recently had an article in our local paper warning motorists that the "deer are now down from the mountains." Obviously the writer doesn't live in local deer country. The deer haven't been "up" in the mountains. Up in the mountains there are cougars and wolves that consider venison a good part of their weekly menu. These critters are protected by laws. Some of our residents who live up on the mountainsides have found they can't keep outdoor cats to combat mice because the cougars wipe out the cat population. The deer have gotten so that they stay close to human habitat, it is a form of protection, better to take their chances crossing the highways than being brought down by their natural predators. There are coyotes down here, but they must not be quite as threatening.
The deer have discovered that,contrary to the wildlife experts, they can eat hay, green or dry. Our orchards offer fruit, on the ground and as far up as their necks will reach, apples, pears. During the winter they also have the plus of salt that builds up next to those highways, used to clear the road of ice and snow. Salt is a good thing, and this is an easy source.
I love living among the wildlife, but it has its challenges. Just let's get the real picture of how it is. It is fun to see a deer reaching up to pluck an apple off your tree, but only if there are lots of apples. It isn't fun when they eat all your strawberries, tomatoes, whatever they develop a taste for. It is always necessary to "watch out for the deer" when driving, day or night, no matter what season it is. Sometimes watching out isn't enough! We share the homeland, all year round.
