This is the perfect title for a book on deer, because living here in semi-rural Connecticut, we would see our fair share of deer as we drove around at dawn and dusk. Then when we tried to plant a garden, we saw the evidence of their work–footprints in the dirt and nibbles at the leaves. The morning glories that we trained on a trellis this summer only bloomed at the top of the trellis, because the deer ate all the way up both sides.
We would always see the results of deer presence in our yard, but until this last year or so, never actually saw the deer, which I thought was unfair.
I love to see deer. There is something so graceful and strong and beautiful about them. As I said, last year we started to see them more frequently, eating the evergreens on our property during the snowy winter.
In The Hidden Life of Deer Elizabeth Marshall Thomas writes about her observations of the deer population on her property that she was able to monitor specifically as a result of putting out corn for them in a season when the acorns, their usual winter diet, were scarce.
I found this book to be completely readable and fascinating. She takes a balanced look at wildlife, noting how humans effect wildlife and the effect that wildlife has on humans as well. Reading this book answered many questions that I had, such as “With a 40 pound barking dog in my yard, why do the deer come at all?” The answer is that they do not feel threatened by a barking dog. She is the enemy they know, and in fact serves to alert them of the stealthier, more potentially dangerous enemies (other dogs and people). The couple of times I’ve seen deer in the yard at daylight, I’ve always looked for the dog, and I’ve usually found her up on the back deck, watching them and staying very still, or waiting to be let in the house. She is no threat to them, and they obviously figured that out accurately.
In Marshall’s effort to understand deer, she even goes out with a hunter. She understands that hunting is a part of the life of deer, with humans being natural predators, and she is not necessarily firmly against it as one might suppose.
For that reason, this book might make a great gift for a hunter or nature-lover.
We have a copy to give away to one of you (U.S. or Canadian shipping addresses). Just leave a comment here, and we’ll announce the winner on November 11.
The winners of the Waiting for the Owl’s Call giveaway are #6 Jen @ Happy Little Homemaker, #12 Penny Hull, and #22 Nicole C. The winners of The Swiss Courier are #1 Katy, #4 Stacy, #8 Jenny, #39 Anita, and #46 Nancy.
Seeing deer and other wildlife (foxes, pheasants, wild turkeys) is one of the things that Jennifer Donovan loves about living in Connecticut. She blogs about her life at Snapshot.
My husband is a hunter. We live in the woods and often see deer, now that the horses are gone.
This would obviously be a very interesting read for us. Thank you!
I love deer as well, and I grew up seeing them in the backyard. I remember a book I was given when I first learned to read about the white-tailed deer that lived in our region. I’d love to read more about them!
Sounds like an interesting read. A different perspective to consider.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
My father-in-law is a FANATICAL hunter. I would love to win this book for him!
I would like to toss my name in for a chance at winning. Thank you.
We see deer at a friend’s house in rural washington, almost always at dusk. Sounds like an interesting book!
I have seen this book at the bookstore and thought it looked good. After reading your review, I really want to read it. Please add my name to the drawing. Thank you.
I have someone who would love this for a Christmas gift.
This books sounds very interesting. I love seeing the deer. They have Albino deer up North. I have yet to see them.
We see deer all the time, because we have woods all around our house. Love to read this book. Please enter me. Thanks!
Wow! I’m glad to have won The Swiss Courier. 🙂 Does that mean I’m disqualified from winning other books? I hope not! 😉 (Please consider this my entry if I qualify… thanks!)
roseinthemorning [at] gmail [dot] com
I’d definitely be interested in reading this one, given my long history of “deer in the back yard.” 🙂 Thanks!
Just started seeing deer at my new job, would love to read this, thanks for the giveaway
I grew up in Va where deer are plentiful, now we live in a part of Texas where the deer have virtually disappeared so I would love to have this book.
Looks like a great book.
enter me please
keep up the good work jennifer!
i love to read [email protected]
As long as Bambi’s mother doesn’t get killed, I’m in.
sign me up….
I live in Canada, and it is currently Deer Hunting Season here unfortunately. Hubby and his buddies get all riled-up, while I mope at home because I get hurt easy at anything being shot.
roxxyroller(at)hotmail(dot)com
This looks like a wonderful read.
We do hunt deer but not the ones that live in the woods behind us. They come out a lot in the spring to eat the berries and in the fall to munch on apples and persimmons. We prefer to hunt on national forest land.
We like deer, sounds like a good read, thanks.
We also live in a semi-rural area and would enjoy reading about our gentle neighbors. Deer have surprised us by sheltering in the old barn during snow storms.
Live in the country and love watching the deer but they do alot of damage to my plants and trees but I’ll put up with that just to have them around.
We see a lot of deer, too, and my daughter and I would both love this book. Thanks!
We live in a semi-rural area, with a herd of deer close by. Thanks!
I am also entranced by deer and would love to read this wonderful book! Thank you!
We also have evidence of deer on our property, but never see them! Oh, we see tons along the road as we drive into town, but never as they are biting into our fruit trees’ dividends or leaving their droppings behind…
Posted about this at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/11/hidden-life-of-deer.html
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
I’d love to win. My dad hunts and my son is fascinated by deer.
Thanks for the chance.
Thank you for bringing our attention to this book. Our family loves nature and we don’t get to see deer where we live. We would love to learn more about them.
My parents live in a rural area and deer visit their property all the time. This would be a fascinating read. Thank you for the chance to win.
I live in a similar semi-rural town in mid-western Connecticut. We also can’t grow anything outside because the deer will just eat it. My husband asks me why I bother planting deer food whenever I try. The only thing I can plant are daffodils. And just like you, our big yellow lab does nothing to keep them away. So I just watch them wander through our woods and on our lawn looking for food.
I would love to be entered in your draw for this book. Thanks.
I know someone who would love to have this book as Christmas gift.
Would love to read, Thank you
Thanks for the giveaway.
I love deer, but I will have to admit that they damage my garden too. I also hunt.
My secret hobby is watching the deer that congregate on my lawn at sunrise! I must read this book! Thanks.
I am an avid outdoor person and spend lots of time hiking and backpacking. I think I would enjoy reading this book. Thanks.
Have a couple of dozen that live in the neighborhood. Put deer corn out to feed them and enjoy watching them as they move through in the early morning and evening.
Yes deer are beautiful and irritating at the same time. I would love to read about this perspective.
I would love to add this to my book collection.
Looks like a good book.
I would love a chance to win. Thank you.
Sounds good..would love a chance to read it!
i would love to read this,we as well live in rural area in south alabama.Deer are seen often here(as well i like to leave some extra food in winter)..
thank you
alwaysatryin at gmail.com
i live in northern ny, proper book for the place and the time of year
[email protected]
I’d love to win this for my hubby cause he is a hunter.