Size Matters
This Columbian Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) is one of several that have visited my yard here in the middle of Anacortes, Washington. They appear to be abundant all over Fidalgo Island. My previous home on the south shore of the island was literally on a deer trail. They were daily visitors year-around. I have now lived in town for three months, and observed the same behavior here. I recognize three adult does and one young buck along with three fawns from this season. This mature gentleman that visited yesterday afternoon was new to the yard. His thick neck and well-developed antlers indicate a male ready for the mating season. He came out of the woods chasing a doe. When she eluded him, he spent some time in the lawn appearing befuddled. He looked around as if trying to decide what to do next. You will notice something else peculiar about this guy, as I did. Some kind of net material was firmly tangled in his antlers. I couldn't tell i