Resident Whitetail

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You cannot see it very well in the picture but directly in the middle of the photo is a whitetail deer.   

As a consequence of the size of the animal I initially figured it for a buck that had shed its antlers.  However, after an extended four day weekend of patient observation I have theorized it is a doe - a very pregnant doe.  Which would explain the girth on the animal.  Viewed broadside Jill declared it the ‘size of a cow’. 

In any event, we’ve been fortunate to observe this animal regularly as it seems to have chosen the tall grass north of the house to be its bedding territory.  Home turf so to speak.  The deer comes and goes but always returns - spending most of its time in plain view of our curious observations.  The deer is hunkered-down when the sun goes down and is up and browsing when the sun rises. The binoculars haven’t seen this much use in years.   

If the dogs and I run out for a walk or a run with the four-wheeler the big doe warily scrutinizes us from a stationery position.  On one occasion when the dogs were snuffling around in the grass they came within 150 yards of the animal.  In response the deer simply slow-bounded in the direction of the creek – returning after the dogs had left the scene.    

Yesterday we hypothesized it might be sick or injured.  Having glassed it at length and watched it through a telescope the injury theory is inconclusive.  It sure looks healthy fat and sassy.  I’ve watched any number of deer over the years but not the same one under these circumstances.  This phenomenon is new to me.     

Will it persist?  Stay tuned…