Thursday, October 25, 2007

Deer in My Backyard

I know a lot of people will think I am nuts for saying this, but I really like having deer in my backyard. I just wish I would see them once in a while. I know they're coming because I've seen the evidence:

Hoofprints everywhere in the yard

LOTS of poop (I can put this on the garden for fertilizer, can't I?)
Also enjoyed by my dogs as a tasty snack!

And how about this ground birdfeeder tray--totally licked clean! (This is what the feeder looks like every morning.)

The deer only visit at night and I've only seen them a couple of times by chance when I'm putting the dogs "out for a whizz." Then the deer are most likely to be seen under the apple trees feasting on apples that have fallen on the ground. I suppose that's their dessert after eating all the birdseed in the trays!

14 comments:

entoto said...

The deer are eluding you, aren't they? First at the deer blind and now in your own yard. That is some serious adaptation to us, perhaps.

KGMom said...

Ruthie--I agree that it is neat having deer around. I suspect I feel that way since it is such a rarity. We have had deer this year, and have lived here almost 30 years and have NEVER had deer.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the update on Lynne's mom I'm so glad you did that for me.
Lots of evidence of deer in your yard some not so delightful, but it is a fact of life. Put the trail cam out and get some pictures of those elusive deer.
MOM

Jayne said...

Well, the proof's in the pudding...err...poo! :c)

Lisa at Greenbow said...

We don't have deer in our garden but many other critters come by and leave their uhmm "treats" for Luna. UGH...

Susie said...

Once in a while we have deer in the green belt behind us. They never come in the yard though. Our son, who lives in the country says they absolutely destroy his garden.
I love seeing them though...
xo

Anonymous said...

Without a doubt you have deer in the back yard! lol

RuthieJ said...

Hi Trixie,
You're right, those deer have adapted very nicely. The area where we live is becoming fragmented as far as the woods are concerned, so they are probably trying to figure out where to go and stay safe. There was a big doe dead alongside the highway on Tuesday morning when I went to work. I hate to see that--especially when I know it was probably one of "our" deer.

Hi Donna,
I'm glad you enjoy seeing them also. There was a feature article in our local newspaper about how deer right in town have become a problem in Rochester neighborhoods too. It's pretty evenly divided on neighbors who love them or hate them!

Hi Mom,
You're welcome.
The trail camera will come back home as soon as deer hunting season is over--right now it's out doing the real job Rick bought it for.

Hi Jayne,
LOL - you got that right! Now in addition to dog poop I have to scoop deer poop!

Oh Lisa, I have the same yucky problem, only my dogs roll in the other "treats!" What's a mother to do??

Hi Susie,
My garden is pretty close to the house, so the deer haven't discovered it yet. I'll have to see what next season brings....

Hi Mon@rch,
Yup - the pictures don't lie and that's definitely not from a rabbit!

Ruth said...

I see fresh deer tracks and pellets frequently by the river. I know they come there at dusk and dawn. Where do they hide afterwards. Last winter I followed fresh deer tracks in the snow, there were no leaves on the trees, and I couldn't see them.

Meggie said...

Ruthie: I was just thinking that it's time to start putting out the corn for the deer at my place. They come to the porch and eat the birdseed out of my hanging feeder. I am able to get a glimpse of them from time to time, so there's no guessing involved.

Larry said...

Why not get a bunch of bruised apples and make a nice pile. Deer love apples don't they?

Marsha said...

Looks like you have lots of fertilizer for your lawn ;-) We have seen deer come out of the fields around our place but have two outside dogs whose presence must keep them from my garden.

I look forward to seeing a photo of them here one day.

RuthieJ said...

Hi Ruth,
The deer are hard to spot sometimes. They can stand so still and blend into the background easily.

Hi Meggie,
That's pretty cheeky when they come right up to your front porch! It's good that you can put out corn and try to keep them out of your birdfeeders.

Hi Larry,
When I do get the chance to see them, they're always out under the apple trees eating what's on the ground. They DO love apples!

Hi Marsha,
My dogs live indoors, but I'm sure they would chase the deer if I let them out while the deer were in the backyard. You're fortunate the dogs keep them from eating your garden.

Mary said...

I'm with you, Ruthie. No matter what they eat, I'd love to know they are there. Sweet.

So we just keep dipping into our wallets to afford wildlife. Every cent is worth it.