MY DEAR DEER UPDATE WITH DEER TIPS

The fawns scamper across my backyard like teenagers off to a pep rally. Despite a few scares–days when I didn’t see the

Mama Deer

Mama Deer

emaciated-looking mom in my yard–Mama deer has been here too.

But I’m still concerned about her.

After I wrote “Oh Dear, My Deer” about how worried I was for the little deer family, readers’ comments rivaled the debt ceiling negotiations in their diverse perspectives.

On my Facebook wall, one friend wrote “I am so DISTRESSED” and went on to say she hoped I’d been serving milk and cookies to the deer (or something like that; I spent 20 minutes searching for her exact comment.)

By contrast, my friend Jane wrote on my blog:

I can’t believe I’m trying to find ways to keep deer away from my hydrangeas (just bought coyote urine) and my brother never wears short sleeves or short pants because he worries so much about deer ticks and you are encouraging them so close to your house. Deer bring nothing good. Get rid of them! Soon!

Another comment, from my friend Lise, confused me at first: “What is the deer-equivalent of matzoh ball soup?” I thought oh, she wants me to make deer soup. Ew.

But now I realize she was suggesting I make deer-friendly matzoh ball soup to help plump up the malnourished-looking mother deer.

I did not make soup, but I did place in the yard a pan filled with water.

Even though I haven’t seen my dears today, I phoned The Second Chance Wildlife Center, believing that nearly a month is long enough for the deer to be in residence at my residence.

Happily, David Stang answered my call and I couldn’t wait to share the 411 with you!

David first tip is is no such species as deer ticks and in fact, the most common way to get ticks is from mice. I don’t like cats, but I like ticks even less. Is it time to get a kitten?

Also, if you want to keep the deer from eating your azaleas, try feeding them deer chow, which they may like better. Just buy a bag for $10 and scatter it on your lawn.

David had great news for Casey, who has been banned from even the front yard, because it has deer droppings that he likes to eat. Deer droppings, according to David won’t hurt him. “It’s like putting some hay in the blender,” he said.

Severa; deer wizards have advised me to leave the yard gate open so the deer will leave. I asked David what he thought about leaving the gate open. He replied, better to keep it closed; they can jump the fence if they want and the closed-in yard will protect them from dogs (and I’m thinking coyotes).

David noted he would be pleased if a deer family like mine were to settle in his yard.

one of the teen twins; blurry I know--I have a tremor

So I can sit back and enjoy my deer, though now I’m worried they’re off to greener pastures, as I haven’t seen them all day :(

UNRELATED ANNOUNCEMENT: SEE MY FAVE HEALTHY RECIPES

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