Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

KoKo's Christmas wish

May your antlers never be entangled in a fence
May your brothers always be there beside you
May your path be one of peace and free of ice
May your blessings be many
May your hay always be sweet

Calendars 2010 are ready!

Our 2010 desktop calendars are ready. For only $20 you receive calendar and an income tax receipt for $10 as we are a registered Canadian charity.

The handy coiled calendars have 13 different photos of our bucks and indicate important dates in 2010 and for the Reserve. A great gift.

To order, send cheque or money order for $20 Canadian dollars per calendar, payable to Fallow Deer Reserve, c/o 204 Simmons Road RR2, Odessa ON K0H 2H0 Canada.

We appreciate your support!

How to feed a fallow deer

Dear Karen,

Thanks for your email. You don’t mention where you are but we are guessing in New England somewhere? We were happy to hear that you have more than one animal. As you know fallow deer are herd animals, so we are always sorry to hear about a lone animal.

Our deer have pasture from April till November and are fed hay in the winter months.

We do not recommend bread as it can ferment in the stomach and you have no way of knowing how much yeast, sugar, etc. is contained in one loaf or another.

We feed our deer whole corn (about 2 cups each) once a week as well as carrots and apples. They will also eat barley and oats in the winter. We have heard of their liking pumpkin but we haven’t tried it. After eating corn the bucks become very energized and will push and shove each other, so it is best for the keeper to stay out of their way. They will also push and shove to get to the corn.

Apparently there is a special enzyme that the deer have to develop in order to digest corn completely. So introduce the corn gradually in small amounts once a week working up to the 2 cups. Also spread it out in small separate piles on the ground, so that each buck gets a small amount. They love corn and will eat every kernel

At first we did hand feed some of the bucks. However, now we try very hard not to hand feed and to put all food on the ground. If the deer associate your hands or body only with food, they can become aggressive when wanting food and go for your hands/body with their heads. This not fun when they have a full set of antlers and you do not. This is especially true of fallow deer bucks during mating season (fall/early winter) but it can happen at any time. Generally the bucks will not eat too much during the rut as their throats swell up, but this does not mean they are not hungry or potentially aggressive.

Please do not consider castrating the bucks if they are over 3 months of age as this causes them disfigurement and pain. Some people believe this is a good way to curb aggression. It is better to respect their wildness and learn how to work around it. Even if these animals came from a farm, they are not domesticated, in our opinion, and people have been injured by not understanding this, especially during the rut or when the animals are under stress when being moved.

We also supplement their diets with a block of blue salt and a mineral lick (18 protein). The mineral lick is always available to them but is used most as the antlers are growing from April to August. The licks are always placed near water. Each animal drinks about 1.5 litres of water per day.

Hope this helps. Please let us know if there is any other information you need. Most of initial information came from the book, Fallow Deer, written by Norma Chapman and her husband last updated in the 1990s. You may find a copy online.

Jane McDonald & Allan Park, Deer keepers

All Grown Up

Here's a photo of Spike taken today -- one of two young bucks who we guessed were about 2 years of age when they became part of the Fallow Deer Reserve herd. He has certainly grown up and is entering his prime. If you check out the photos of Spike from 2006 you will see how fallow deer bucks mature, how antlers and body change and grow. This photo also gives you a good idea of how the rut changes a buck's appearance. Everything bulks up!

Blog Action Day

We are happy to participate in today's worldwide Blog Action Day for Climate Change by posting this entry and directing you to the website of the organizers.

http://www.blogactionday.org

Rut behaviour

Dangling dilemma

Here's a good look at the dilemma that Bash is in these days. Usually we see a buck with velvet one day, then a few strands, then the velvet is gone. Bash must have started thrashing off his velvet too soon as it came off in pieces that have been dangling from his antler beams for several days. Hopefully he will be shred-free by the end of the weekend as he certainly is anything but comfortable.

Perfect resolution

Broken piece from left antler

KoKo

This photo (taken August 23, 2009) shows KoKo doing quite well, still with shreds of velvet at the base of his antlers. If you look closely, you'll see that his left antler is missing its tip. During the combined efforts of Allan and KoKo to escape from the fence, the "hook" must have been weakened. Yesterday morning, Allan found it in the place where KoKo likes to chill out. Here's a photo of that piece, too.

We had been considering ways to try to cut off the "hook" so that KoKo couldn't hook himself on to anything, but once again, nature takes care.

Close Encounter

Yesterday afternoon, Allan and I decided to take a walk inside the enclosure for no particular reason (or so we thought).

In the morning, Allan had noticed that Murph had lost most of his velvet and we wondered if there were others in the same state. From observation in the years past, all the bucks seem to lose their velvet within one week towards the end of August.

We came upon KoKo behaving oddly near the fence in the east marsh area and quickly realized that one of his oddly curved spellers (points) of his antler was caught on the fence. He was twisting and bucking in all directions and could not get loose. The curved point had effectively become a hook.

The possibility that he might break his neck occurred to both of us. A buck at the Scotland Road farm had been found dead after having caught his antler in fencing, but we had never seen our bucks engage with the fencing at the Florida site other than to stick their noses through for apples when visitors come.

Allan came to KoKo's rescue by quickly getting outside the fence, waiting for a moment when KoKo stopped fighting/twisting, and then pulling the antler "hook" through the fence, then down, then pushing it away. KoKo ran off and we left him to calm down. The area near the fence where he was caught was beaten down from grass to mud. It was obvious that KoKo had been attached to the fence for some time.

This morning Allan saw the buck being somewhat shy and standoffish, but alive and well.

Lessons for KoKo: Adapt to the shape of this year's antlers and avoid any close encounters with the fence.

Lessons for Deer keepers: During the period when the bucks shed velvet from their antlers, increase number of daily fence-line inspections. Always take gloves and wire cutters. Be aware of and respond to subtle messages, quietly transmitted. They may have a purpose.

Hey hay

Allan & Murph get ready to unload

Murph & Don in the loft..

The hay (about 300 bales) is safely in the barn and this is quite a feat given the extreme wet and unseasonably cold weather. Emerald "Murph" Murphy, 81, Don's father, is seen above helping out. Most of this year's hay comes from his field, cut and baled with his equipment, pulled by his tractor. We are very grateful for Murph's help again this year.

Also we received 100 bales from Bruce Burt's field in Wilton which was cut, baled and transported to the Reserve by Bernie Vanderzande in a rare moment of non-rain! Thanks to both these gentlemen for their generosity. Bruce, 94, has not had a great year suffering a stroke in January. We were very surprised and delighted that he remembered the bucks and their need for hay amidst other worries.

It's always a good feeling to know that there is enough feed in the barn in July to see the bucks through to next April. At least one warm thought on these cold, wet days of the summer of 09.

New addition

Don and Allan check out our recent purchase

Here's a picture of the horse trailer that was purchased this month for use at the Reserve. Our board of directors decided to purchase a used horse trailer when funding permitted after the incident last November when our fence was cut and deer escaped or were chased out. Valuable time was lost trying to borrow trailers after telephone tips were received about the whereabouts of the deer.

After repairs and minor modifications, this trailer will stay within the enclosure, doors open, and hopefully absorb the smells of "home" so that if we have to respond to an incident, we will have transportation that is familiar to the animals, and not a cause of added stress.

We also see the trailer providing some shelter and looking further ahead, we will be able to use it to isolate a sick or injured buck so that veterinary care or medication can be administered.

We are grateful to everyone who has purchased antlers, calendars or donated to the Reserve to help make this purchase possible.

Fairmount Homes

Residents, volunteers and staff from Fairmount Home visited the Reserve on Sunday to present us with a $100 donation officially sponsoring "EGee" a deer that many had met last summer on a visit. In return, Jane and Allan presented the residents with the antlers shed by EGee this April. The weather on Sunday was cold and windy, but there were many smiles and the visit took place in between rain showers. Thanks to Marilyn Kellar who organized the fundraising at Fairmount and brought everyone including her grandchildren to enjoy the deer. We hope to see everyone again on a sunnier day!

Thanks to Barry Rogers, Fairmount volunteer for the photo.

May 24th Fundraiser

Monique Cloutier, board member, feeds KoKo

May 24, 2009 was the "Day in the Country" created and produced by Wendy Workman to raise funds for the Reserve. Three local practitioners offered their services in tarot card reading, reiki, chakra reading, etc. to participants who also enjoyed great weather, a delicious lunch and a visit with the deer. Over $700 was raised!

Thanks to Wendy, Cheryl, Erin (http://www.self-insights.com)
and Susie and to everyone who attended.

Moki meets Mike again

The presentation:
Don Murphy, left, Moki in the middle, Mike Ivanic, right

Today, Mike and Linda Ivanic visited the Reserve to receive a very special gift -- Moki's antlers which he cast off on April 14, 2009. You may recall that Mike was the bowhunter who single handedly and with great patience coaxed Moki into the horse trailer following the vandalism that allowed him to escape the Reserve last November. Check out the blog entry, "Moki's love story" for all the details.

An email from Jason, antler lover

We just received this email from Jason C. in Chatham, Ontario. Jason has purchased Gulliver's antlers every year for three years and also Murph's antlers for the past two years. By purchasing these antlers, he has supported the work of the Reserve and we appreciate his taking the time to let us know how much he enjoys these unique pieces of art created by our bucks.

I received the package last night. All looks great. I am really surprised the tines on the Gulliver antler, how they are long at the ends and kind of a cluster and twisted. I really enjoy the uniqueness of each antler. I wish I could fill my house with them. My wife might have other ideas. I was looking at the park in Quebec with all the Red Deer, moose, bear etc on the internet and it looks awesome, I really want to go. Have you been there? Do the animals come up to the vehicles as it shows in the website photos? I noticed they talk about fallow deer at this park, are some of them from your place? I would want to stop by your place also if I were going to go to this park.

...Well, as usual keep me in mind next year again. If anything else comes up you think I would be interested in, please let me know.

Thanks alot for all the antlers and years of enjoyment I will get from them.

Take care and talk to you soon

Fellow Canadian -- Jason C. and family

Update: Antlers, Mike's condition

We are happy to report that all the bucks have dropped their antlers. The process began on April 6 with Gulliver and ended on April 21, 2009 with the last set being cast off by Spike who we think is the youngest. It's always a relief when the whole herd is without antlers and on the same "playing field".

Mike, who was suffering from a large abscess on his left side at the beginning of April, is doing well these days. Time and nature took care of the growth and the only side effect seemed to be a delay in his casting off his antlers.

For those of you interested in stats, here's a comparison of dates from 2008 to 2009:

Gulliver -- April 10, 2008/April 6, 7, 2009
Max -- April 14, 2008/April 10, 2009
Mike -- April 16, 2008/April 19, 2009
Bash -- April 18, 2008/April 8, 2009
Murph -- April 19, 2008/April 7, 8, 2009
George -- April 22, 23, 2008/April 15, 2009
Buddy -- April 25, 26, 2008/April 14, 2009
KoKo -- April 29, 2008/April 15, 2009
EGee -- April 29, 2008/April 21, 2009
Moki -- April 29, May 1, 2008/April 14, 2009
Spike -- May 3, 2008/April 21, 2009

Antler sweepstakes winner!

Gulliver won the lottery again this year dropping his left antler at some time early this morning. When we checked him this afternoon, he was still holding on to his right antler.

Here is the list from 2008. The warmer weather this year has prompted the casting of Gulliver's antler four days earlier than last. We believe that the oldest buck casts off his antlers first, needing more time for the full rack to develop and harden by August in time for rutting season. By this list, Spike is our baby. Status in the herd may also affect the order that the antlers fall, who knows?

Gulliver, April 10
Max, April 14
Mike, April 16
Bash, April 18
Murph, April 19
George, April 22, 23
Buddy, April 25, 26
KoKo, April 29
EGee, April 29
Moki, April 29, May 1
Spike, May 3

Signs of spring

Our first visitors this year were Ethan and his family, a sure sign of spring ... trying out the well, resting at the picnic table and taking a look at the antlers dropped last season with George in the background. Thanks to Ethan's Aunt Cynthia who donated a large bag of whole corn to the Reserve.

To all those who wish to visit, please be reminded that the Reserve is on private property and trespassers will be prosecuted. Visitors are welcome only if they phone ahead first to arrange. (613) 386-3673 or email jmcd@reztel.net. After the events of November when vandals cut the fence, we have increased security and ask for your understanding and respect for the safety and well-being of the deer.

The Deer Keepers

Breakfast Winter Mornings

Winter mornings -- cold temperatures and lots of snow... this is the pattern of this month at the Reserve. Fortunately we have a dedicated deer keeper in Allan Park who shows up every morning at daybreak to check on the bucks, make sure their water is ice-free, feed them hay, and make sure no animal is missing or injured. Each animal gets plenty of fresh hay because it is spread out and available to all.

In the lower picture you can see KoKo enjoying the mineral lick that provides the bucks with essential vitamins and minerals and the blue salt lick is in the foreground.

The biggest natural hazard seems to be ice. Gulliver was limping earlier this week probably from a fall but in a day or two he was back to normal.