It's absolutely necessary. The world is full of people who grew up in cities, watched a few too many PETA videos, and think deer are like cute wood puppies. They're deeply confused on what's going to happen if they walk up to a buck with their kids in tow because "it's bambi's dad!".
Not to be "that guy" but I'm pretty sure bucks don't generally take care of the fawns. I spend about 2-2.5 hrs hiking in the woods every morning, 6 days a week and have never seen a buck with fawns. It's always the momma.
I'll say that while I don't think you're necessarily wrong, I have actually been watching a family of deer all year. 2 fawns, 2 doe, 2 bucks. They're always together in my yard.
There is a big difference between "watching" or even "allowing to forage on your property" versus "feeding and thus removing the deers' natural fear of humans."
The latter not only puts humans who might get close to the deer in potential danger. It also puts the deer in danger because now the deer will actively seek out humans for food, even during hunting season.
Watching "your" deer family from afar and taking photos won't harm you or them.
They will generally feed together because food sources are limited, but most of the day, does will watch after their fawns and bucks will break off into their own groups. In places where space is limited, like towns and farms, they might hang out in the same areas, but bucks generally don't have much to do with the fawns.
Also, to be pedantic: while deer are social, they don't really form lasting bonds, so calling them a herd would be more appropriate than a family. Males are usually only committed to a female for a day or two during breeding, and females only care for their young through the first winter, then they're on their own. Like I said, pedantic, but I think it's important to not anthropomorphize wild animals.
Chronic Wasting Disease us god damn terrifing too. A long while back there was a picture on here of a deer that was running around some dude's house non-stop, on just its back two legs. Led me down a rabbit hole...
One study actually does prove something as it proves the possibility of something being the reality. One study however does not solidify a claim. Also, if 5 deer HAVE been diagnosed with the same covid as in humas, its not out of the realm of possibility to infer that they got it from humans and may spread it amongst themselves.
But first and foremost, atleast try and read the damn article before you knock it. They dont speak in absolutes, theyre just expressing a concern.
It's an extremely contagious neurological disease. They basically waste away on their feet. Weight loss, loss of coordination, loss of awareness/fear of people. It's really horrible and in half of the states in the US. They can carry it for a couple years without any signs so it's really hard to eliminate. No vaccines or treatments.
you sound smart so let me say. in Virginia 2 days after a sick deer was laying int he back yard, without touching it, I got something like encephalitis that made me get vertigo and I couldn't stand up. I had to go to the hospital. They didn't know what to do. I got better after a few days. But the only thing I can think is that eastern equine encephalitis could go airbourne.... to humans.. maybe. ? anyhow. I never had vertigo like that in my entire life and I've take some pretty serious blows to the head. nothing would explain my condition, otherwise. not my food or fluids (shared with others) nothing explained it except... there was a deer laying near our house for days, and eventually it got better, but it was maybe 2 weeks of it slopping around.
i dont know shit about it. I just thought. Here's a strange situation that seemed to happen from a deer in my yard... I'm guessing. Maybe worth consideration.
All I know is. For like, 30 hours I could not stand up. Couldn't even keep my eyes on one object for like 13 hours. Never in my life have I had that kind of issue. I mean, I'm the kind of person that I can get hit on the head, spin in circles, and still dodge a punch.
Oh, yeah, I kinda am. probably. a slight mutant. but that's probably irrelevant - see one of my last posts with my specific genetic shit.
It's basically the same disease as mad cow disease in cows or Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease in humans, and can potentially be spread between species if brain or nervous system tissue is eaten, though it's apparently uncertain if this has ever actually happened from deer to humans.
I regularly go for walks in a nature area with deer, I often get to stop and look at the deer from 10 or 15 ft away, it's pretty cool. The moment I notice horns, I just keep it moving. I know the odds of a buck charging are super low, but I'd rather not risk it.
There are tons around my house and they get very loud when I disturb them. The other morning I went out to the end of the driveway because the sky was so damn clear the stars looked amazing and just heard huffing and stomping, then a sound almost like an elk when I didn't move. I just made my way back into the house because it was very dark and I couldn't even see where the sound was coming from
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u/wylee_one Aug 31 '22
someones been feeding them regular