by Jan Fielden
The deer are everywhere on the ranch! It is so exciting to see a doe and her little ones jump up and run when we come down the road through the Sweet Gum Grove. The grass is so high that sometimes all you can see is the Momma’s head but then the little ones jump up and off they go. We have what I have come to believe is Bambi’s grandchildren. They seem to live on this ranch and would have only gotten that from their Momma (Bambi) and her daughter.
Last week I came through the Sweet Gum Grove on the tractor and interrupted their little morning nap in the small little circle close to the Hay Meadow. Momma gave a signal which I couldn’t hear maybe because of the tractor or maybe they don’t give loud signals but from the time the Momma turned and looked at me to the time the babies jumped up was not more than 15 seconds.
So far, these three have stayed close to the house at least that seems to be where we see them the most often. However, they could be wandering to the back pastures and, in fact, there are a lot of deer back there. We have always believed that because we don’t hunt them and don’t allow others on our land to hunt, the deer feel safe here. They are something to behold. They can jump a fence standing right next to it. They don’t need to get a running start, it is just, bloop, up and over! I think we have a bigger herd in the back pastures though as I have counted up to 7 before. Nice to have wildlife on the land at the Red Oak Ranch.
