Grumpy Old Ganz
Friendship and Trust Forms a Bond
According to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, the average lifespan of a whitetail buck is roughly three years while a doe is six years.
Just a few days ago, I noticed movement along the tree line after I finished mowing and sat on the deck...
Then I saw “Mule Head” nudging this year’s fawn into the yard. With some additional coaxing and a hard push, the fawn cleared the wood line and was fully in my backyard.
Shortly after, “Mule Head” again pushed another one into the yard. Suddenly, an explosion of seven fawns broke through the tree line…running, bucking and having a grand time investigating every inch of the yard, as their mothers grazed on the freshly cut grass.
I found this extremely interesting, and the fawns absolutely hilarious! One came so close that had I put my hand down I would have been able to touch its nose.
Turning my attention to the does, I saw “Runt” and her older sibling. Both had a pair of twins, adding to “Mule Head’s” triplets.
Time passed and the does summoned their young as they slowly returned to the woods.
After they disappeared I began to wonder where “Beavis” and “Butt-Head” were? They were “Mule Head’s” twin bucks from last year.
It didn’t take long to get my answer! They both walked out…in full velvet. They began nibbling on the grass and browsed along my tree line.
After the pair retreated into the woods, I began to ponder how long “Mule Head” had been around and maybe a few of the others?
I went to my computer and looked at pictures I had saved. I could identify “Mule Head” in photos from four years ago. That meant her mom first showed her the “sanctuary” approximately five years ago.
With my love of photography and wildlife, I acquire a much closer perspective sometimes. When you’ve watched an animal grow and thrive for so long, it’s hard not to develop a relationship with them. Trust and friendship evolves, which forms a bond that I find fascinating!
Comments