Tag Archives: deer

BUCKS IN RUT: ‘TIS THE SEASON

Yesterday, Robbin and I were checking the cows and calves on the Paregien Ranch while putting salt and mineral out when we ran into these two bucks and some does.  Because they don’t get much hunting pressure and familiar with our comings and goings, the deer are fairly tame.  Add the bucks’ tunnel-vision this time of year and it’s as if we weren’t even there. Robbin took the video from her cell phone.

We didn’t see many deer this summer due to the tall feed as a result of last year’s abnormal rainfall, so it was encouraging to know that their basic breeding routine has not been interrupted by all the drama and tragedies around the world—something solid to depend on.

GRAZING GRANITE

Up here, the deer unafraid.

We freeze together

to see who melts away first.

 

 

Velvet in the Wild Oats

 

 

Good to see a couple of bucks in velvet this morning, especially close enough to photograph with a cell phone while we were hauling some young cows up the hill to replace the old ones we took to town last week.

 

NO WASTE

 

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Hanging with the does
that lick the last alfalfa
leaf behind the cows.

 

TRESPASSING

 
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We look both ways
at the end of the road,
the well-honed edge

of commerce and convenience,
trucks and traffic
across the bridge—

river without water.
In their own world,
some deer forget:

quick scramble of hooves,
a clatter slipping
on concrete and asphalt.

We look both ways
wanting wild cover
and shade, leave

great hearts behind
to trespass
into an urgent world.

 

SUNNY SABBATH

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All-day tryst in the middle
of milling cattle upon the green,
it could be spring in December—

good sign after two dry years of hay,
something normal like bucks in rut.
Mounting and breeding surround us,

black bulls weave through the bunch
with urgent optimism and aplomb.
No forecast fog, rain, or snow.

Monday gather. Tuesday picnic
upon the green with the neighbors
bringing horses to brand some calves.

 

IN THE SYCAMORES

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All of the young bucks
know their place and wait
for business to pick up—

for the boss to be gone
with work of his own
calling him away, far

enough that he won’t know
what they’re up to.
They spar a little, rattle

thin horns, bide their time
in the thick of November—
like it’s always been.

 

WPC— LIKE DEER

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We flee into the wild
when found, rushing
for the moment to forget.

 

 

WPC—’Split-Second Story’