Oh, Deer, They're Back

The deer have enjoyed the fact that we have lush green grass in our yard, nice shrubs, trees with yummy summer growth and mostly…. that we haven't been home for weeks and they could enjoy it all in peace! Now, they aren't so happy!

They have been making themselves at home in our yard. So much so that I had to pick up deer poop with the doggie pooper scooper! Picking up deer poop? Has Dreaming totally flipped out? If I tell you that Gypsy 'deerly' loves wearing it, does that help explain my behavior?! By the way, did you know that if deer eat foods with high moisture content, like the lush green grass in our yard, their poop will be in large clumps and not the usual pellets? Trust me. I know. Oh, and thank me as I didn't take pictures of the almost 3 gallons of the stuff I picked up just outside our back door!

Moments before I took this picture the bucks had been inside the picket fence area of our yard. Of course, once I got the camera they had responded to Tucker's barking and they were heading out.

Tucker's  hearing is amazing. He will let me know, even in the dark of night, that a deer is walking by. Tucker is also amazing in that he knows he is not supposed to bark at night. He will woof very quietly until I thank him for letting me know, and tell him to go back to bed. At least he complies with that instruction better than he responds to my directives to come! I am cautious in letting the dogs out to chase the deer as I don't want a confrontation. I get the deer started on their way, and then let Tucker and Gypsy escort them off the property.

Yesterday morning we had a bit of snow falling. When I looked out to the front of the house I saw three does bedded down. They were very much aware that we were in the house, since Tucker told me of their presence.

Last night Tucker let me know someone was out front.  We had a bit of a staring contest before he turned and walked off. The deer aren't very afraid. In fact, they are downright bold!

This is not a win-win situation. I am not thrilled that they are hassling my plants and making attempts at fertilizing my lawn. They are not thrilled that we are back in residence. I hope that since Tucker is so noisy, and we make a team effort to drive them off,  that they find it more peaceful to find some other place with lush grass and yummy shrubs!