September 9th, 2007 Deer

This is an article on one of my favourite animals - the deer. There is a mystical feeling to look out your window on a cold winter night and see deer in your yard. At first you think you’re seeing shadows, and you look away, but as your eyes adjust to the darkness a beautiful scene unfolds before you. There is a herd of deer, young and old eating or just resting beneath the trees. In the silence of winter, under the light of the moon you feel like you are a part of something magical. Then you go back to your warm bed, as they move on searching for food and somewhere to rest and feel safe. Watching the deer helps me through the long dark winter. I think of them as a gift, a messenger in the night.

Stranger In The Woods A Photographic Fantasy by wildlife photographers Carl R. Sams and Jean Stoick is a story for young and old alike. I first saw this book in a Minnesota bookstore and was almost moved to tears by it. I quickly wrote up a suggestion card for the library to purchase it. The story begins after a winter snowfall when there is a newcomer in the woods. The stranger is a snowman, and we see how the birds and animals react to this new arrival. The photographs are beautiful, bright and colourful and show winter at it’s best. We also carry the movie on dvd.

If you are a baby boomer you probably grew up with the Disney movie classic, Bambi. And so did your children. And so are their children. As a child my sister and brother in law took me to the theater, but I was too young to really remember it. Many years later I purchased the video for myself. It is a tale about friendship, adventure, growing up and the harsh realities of life, such as losing your mother. In the end it is really about the circle of life - life, death, and the new generation that follows. The library carries the movie on dvd and videorecording. Why not share the magic all over again, you'’re never too old.

The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, won her a Pulitzer Prize in 1939. I haven't read the book, but last year I came across the movie on TVOntario. I was taken in by this classic tale of a young boy who takes in an orphaned fawn. It is the story of a boy who's heart's desire was to have a pet of his own. The fawn becomes his best friend and helps him to grow up. Living in the backwoods of Florida in the late 1800's his family faced many challenges, such as bears, wolves and elements of nature. But as the fawn grew it became a problem, when it started eating the family's crops. What happens next reminded me of the movie Old Yeller. It is a heartwarming tale. The library carries The Yearling on dvd , as a cassette book and in book format.

Another children'’s book with beautiful photos is Whitetails: Whitetail Magic For Kids by Tom Wolpert. It is a book about the habits of deer and depicts the first year of a fawn’s life. It is filled with interesting facts. If you’'ve ever wondered how they stay warm in the winter, it is because of the hollow hairs on their coat. It keeps them dry and warm. In the depths of winter they will eat tree bark, certain tree needles and twigs. And I've found they seem to really enjoy pumpkins. This year they appear to have actually planted some for me, from the seeds.

If you don'’t like deer as much as I do, the library carries Deer Proofing Your Yard & Garden by Rhonda Massingham Hart. It offers advice for your flower garden as to what deer do or don't like to eat. You should avoid favourite plants such as hostas and daylilies and use deer resistant plants such as zinnias and delphiniums. There are also deer repelling plants such as lavender and thyme. If you are raising fruit or vegetables, it says they don'’t like to eat garlic, rhubarb and pumpkins. I guess this is an indication of how hungry they get in the winter, because they sure enjoy eating the frozen pumpkins I leave out for them after Halloween. They also don'’t like certain smells. You can try tactics such as hanging fabric softener sheets or bars of soap from your fruit trees.

If you're looking for articles about deer visit the Virtual Collection on our website and try one of the indexes such as Ebsco Animals. The virtual collection is available 24 hours a day.

Still on the theme of deer, this is a bit of a stretch, but what'’s yellow and green and runs like a deer? Why it’s a John Deere tractor of course. For information on John Deere collector clubs visit http://www.greencollectors.com You can find information on shows and museums and even shop online. The library carries a few John Deere repair manuals and some of the history of the tractors.
I hope you've enjoyed this article and perhaps you too look forward to seeing the deer this winter. I never tire of these beautiful, graceful animals. If you're on the highway this fall, keep your eyes open for them and drive carefully.

Karen Craib, Library Technician