Rick Liblong: Lamenting the fate of our dear deer 

When I was a youngster, I loved Walt Disney’s animated feature film “Bambi.” It was refreshing and informative as little Bambi, the white tail deer, cavorted around the meadow and forest with his mom and their other animal friends. 

That is, until we hear Bambi’s mom yell, “Faster, faster, Bambi! Don’t look back! Keep running, KEEP RUNNING!” A shot rings out from an unseen hunter and Bambi’s mom is gone. 

I still tear up at the thought of that scene. 

For years, Sue and I have enjoyed the sight of numerous white tail deer in our neighborhood and back yard. Some are big bucks with large antlers, some are like Bambi’s mom, some are spotted young fawns like Bambi himself. Sue and I refer to all of them collectively as our “Bambis.” 

We live in an urban neighborhood, not a forest. But there is a wooded area next to us that provides lots of green foliage and water for our four-legged friends. We call it the “deer diner.” 

Often several times a day we see our herd of Bambi’s family traverse our yard on their way to the diner. They sometimes stop to enjoy some of the lush green grass in our yard or munch a few leaves from one of our trees. We’re happy to provide a little nourishment for them. 

While they are not tame, they seldom spook if we step out into the yard. They look up, check us out and usually resume dining. They are, in my humble opinion, beautiful, majestic creatures. I have never hunted deer and can’t imagine wanting to kill or even harm one of them. 

However, I am aware that they can cause problems in an urban setting. Motor vehicles and deer are not a good match. The deer often cross the streets or highways nearby and are struck by a car. The results can be disastrous or deadly to both deer and people in the vehicle. 

The deer can also carry the ticks that cause lime disease. And they love to munch on our neighbor’s pretty flowers. 

The call of the wild being what it is means that the more deer you have, the more deer you’re going to have. Not quite like rabbits, but they do multiply. Consequently, every so often the county decides to thin the herd. They contract with skilled bow hunters or marksmen and reduce the numbers. 

I understand why this has to be done but it rips my heart out. I wish Bambi and the gang could somehow practice birth control on their own. Yes, I know that’s silly but … 

Mother Nature, indeed, as wonderful as she can be, can also be cruel. The planet’s operating system is survival of the fittest. 

For example, we have foxes in the neighborhood. We call him Br’er Fox after a classic animated trickster villain from Disney’s 1946 film Song of the South. It’s fun to watch Br’er Fox run through the yard flashing his big bushy tail. But Brother Fox and Bunny Rabbit can’t seem to co-exist. Br’er is bigger and faster so it’s bye-bye bunny. 

So, while I have to live with the situation, I don’t have to like it. Meanwhile, Sue and I will continue to enjoy the fond memories of our four-legged friends.