Deer are Wild Animals. Please do not hand feed them.

[madhtr]

I thought about the best place to post this thread, and this is the best I came up with. If anyone can advise me as to a better place to post it, I'm open to suggestions. I lived in shannondale for about 10 years, and I now live in Riverview Park. I've been in the area for about 15 years. I am an experienced deer hunter.

This morning at about 07:50, I was walking our small dog in riverview park, when I saw a herd of deer in the woods. One large doe, at least one fawn, and several smaller does. The large doe began stamping, and WALKING TOWWARDS me. The entire herd then began to follow me down the street from the side of the road. I stomped and yelled, and the herd just came closer. I continued walking, occasionally stopping stamping and lunging towards them in a 'threatening' manner, intending to scare them off. They eventually stopped following me.

About 6 months ago, a doe and a spike buck were in my old neighbor's open yard (the house is now unoccupied). My 9 year old son was in the road just across the street, and the buck stamped, did not flag, and beagn APPROACHING my son.

We all love wildlife, but that's exactly what it is, wildlife. Deer are supposed to fear people. If they become tame, they become more unpredictable. A whitetail buck can weigh 250lbs or more, and our kids, that weigh considerably less are out playing in the community.

I'm not yelling at anyone or trying to flame anyone. I'm just making a suggestion for the safety of ourselves and our children. I have been hunting and watching deer in the wild (and in different communities) for 30 some years, and NEVER in my life have had them stomping thier hooves (a threat response), and then FOLLOWING me. I cannot magine any reason for this, except that some of us, obviously with no bad intent, are 'taming' them, one way or another. Just a theory, do what you want with it.

Thanks for you consideration

[KatherineA]

This has happened to me, particularly with young bucks. They are big and not knowing what they will do is disconcerting.

[Willis]

Good advice. The best rule of thumb is to avoid ALL wild animals. Aside from the physical danger-Deer, Raccoons, Opossums and the like (not to mention Bears and Coyotes and other carnivores) can inflict serious damage-wild critters also carry various diseases we don't want to experience.

Since the deer aren't acting criminally. I think this thread would be appropriate in our General Chat forum, Mad.

[Ricky]

I don't hand feed deer. I use a fork. It's easier to keep control of the meat and juices.

[charliepff]

LOL, I was thinking the same thing.

[Tony]

Should be another good hunting season hereabouts.

Somehow I doubt anyone on the mountain is "hand" feeding them with their actual hands - if only for the reasons you mention (scary!). But lots feed them with corn, salt licks, and gardens because they like to see deer. I have no idea what a reasonable solution would be. I know every time another "cute deer in the yard" video is posted I'm one of the few that are willing to come out and say what a Really Bad Idea that is. And I always catch hell for it.

[Marty]

We've experienced the stamping before too. My husband had a tense moment with a buck in our yard a few years ago. He stamped right back at the deer, although he says he wouldn't've done that if he hadn't had a shovel in his hands, and the deer backed off.

[Mountain_Nomad]

............................................Mooore willlld deer










...........................................Hunting Season 2012; The Year the Deer turn the tables.

[LFE]

There are plenty of folks around here put piles of apples and or corn out just so they can watch an arrow or bullet hit the deer at close range (yes, there are plenty of folks that just feed them to watch them as well). Baiting however is legal in WV making deer without fear something we have to live with.

[KatherineA]

Yes, I had a neighbor who did that so he could bow hunt from his trailer window . . . . nice (not).

[cindylu]

Yes, I had a neighbor who did that so he could bow hunt from his trailer window . . . . nice (not).

entrapment!!

[LFE]

Images for far side bummer of a birthmark

[Ricky]

When you're poor and hungry, you do what you gotta do.

[rooneymom]

When you're poor and hungry, you do what you gotta do.

Just don't forget to dump the carcass on the side of the road.

[madhtr]

... Since the deer aren't acting criminally. I think this thread would be appropriate in our General Chat forum, Mad.

LOL, no problem willis, TY

[charliepff]

Just an FYI, baiting is only legal on private property or if you do not get caught. It is making them really friendly, except for the doe with the two fawns hanging around here. She is very protective.

[Tony]

It seems to me baiting would have the opposite effect. Those taking the bait most readily would be the first removed from the gene pool.

[Ricky]

I'm guilty of being a hunter that's used a deer feeder that dispenses shelled corn at certain preset times. I've also used apples to bait deer in as well. Anymore I'll throw out a couple dozen apples in the general area where I plan to hunt a few days before rifle season. With times being tough and work being priority I only get to hunt so much throughout the season. If my odds of at least seeing a deer are increased by a handful of apples being slung around I'll do it.

[madhtr]

My 2 cents ... I've never baited deer (for hunting), but I don't see an issue with it, especially if you are feeding your family with venison. I agree with Tony, deer under (hunting) pressure are not what I think I'm seeing here. I'm a rifle hunter (haven't ever hunted with a bow), but mebbe a few of you bow hunters taking a some of them out this coming season on your property would be a good thing ... Mebbe I'll even get a bow and try my hand at it. A lil hunting pressure on these deer might go a long way towards restroring thier proper 'fear' of humans. Just my opinion, cheers

[Ricky]

Deer are smarter than you think. Where most people form the opinion that deer are stupid because of how willing they are to approach humans in residential areas aren't considering all things. Those deer have grown to understand that around houses, cars and other such civilized things that there is little risk of them getting hurt/killed because when they've gone out on a limb and explored those places they were probably welcomed with nothing more dangerous than some looks and a couple camera flashes. In the woods, deer are on edge. There are predators in the woods. The deer you witness in your yard eating your rose garden is not the same kind of deer that hunters (especially bow hunters that need them up close for an ethical shot) see when we're hunting - even if it's the exact same deer that we're talking about.

As usual though, your mileage may vary and this product may contain nuts.