Some nights I'll notice deer in the fields, usually heading to or from the river before they head back in the hills for sleep.

Tonight was interesting. I went out for a walk and noticed that, about 30 feet away from me in our yard, some deer were watching as I left my house. I gave a little happy bird call to let them know I was alright (or something, lol) and then had a little stare down for about 5 minutes before I headed off for a walk downtown. Upon my return I noticed one particularly interested fawn (i don't know much about deer, but it was small) was actually sitting in my lawn, closer to the road than before like he was waiting for me to come back. At least, I like to think he just sat down and waited for me to return. I stopped, did my little call again and watched him for a few minutes before walking inside.

So I'm pretty happy about bonding with this deer, and I was wondering what types of food I might offer in the lawn to have her come back and visit regularly? I know deer are awfully skittish, normally, but this one seemed to like me.

We feed the deer on our hill cracked corn from the farm feed store. You can also get small stock feeders there. We fill the feeders everyday at the same time, 5:30 PM, and the deer are waiting in the yard for us. Do not assume the only deer you will have at the feeder is the little fawn. In a very short time you will have all its relatives coming in for dinner!

A more natural way to feed deer is to sow clover. My choice is Ladino Clover because it stays green all year. You can get it at Main Street Seed And Supply (link below).

No doubt there will be people posting telling you not to feed the deer, and I would agree if it is going to pose any danger. That being said, we have lived on our hill for 34 years and have created a wildlife sanctuary on our seven acres. Additionally, our surrounding neighbors have joined in with us so we have a total of approximately 40 acres as a protected sanctuary.

You can live in harmony with nature but you have to do it wisely. A final word of caution .... fawns are still with their mothers and will be for at least another six weeks to two months, so do not make any attempts to go near your fawn. Those mamas get very upset if they feel their baby is in possible danger!

Good luck with your wildlife!!! :-)

Lyn in Ohio

thanks for the advice. these deer cross a semi-busy road (still away from the main part of town) every evenning, rain, snow, or shine, to get water from the river. I think I will talk to my dad about sowing some clover in some areas we had perviously just mulched yearly. I was also thinking it would be neat to set up a bird / squirrel feeder in our yard, and a deer feeder would go along nicely with that I think.

I will take care to stay further away from that lovely fawn in the future. His mother wans't in sight oddly enough.

Apples. Throw some apples out for them.

A friend of mine use to hand feed them apples. Its not recommended but you can toss a few out in the yard for them.

Word of warning. do some reasearch about feeding deer. Its really not good for them. Im not going to go into specifics but generally its not a good idea. Especially those feeders. Deer are browsers. Meanign them meander throught the woods and stop for a bite here and there. If you put out a feeder then you a lot of mouths in the same spot. The chances of viruses and deceases speading Greatly increases.

If you want to feed them then please plant a crop for them to spread out and eat or leave them to browse on natural vegetation.