startled was a really good way to describe me when turning the corner at the end of my orchard, having left the far gate open to get in, here's an almost adult deer running around inside the fence with me. Deer came out of woods, walked three hundred feet across the fields, and right in the door. Now that's inquisitive and/or he could smell something good to eat in there. No fruit, fruit leaves apparently beat forest leaves because those deer want to get in.
So...I rev up the motor on the mower and head towards the deer, which now panics and bounces off two sides of the fence without damage thankfully and finally got turned around and realized the way out, making a beeline for the woods. I'm in there making all kinds of noise with the JD diesel mower and in he strolls.
I guess i have to shut the gate behind me.
Which reminds me of current discussions of critters getting inside. Leave the gate or door open, for sure doesn't take even the bigger critters long to get in. Am thinking of the cute little bright green gecko that stared at me in front of the toilet one morning. At least I hope he ate a spider or two while he was inside. Adorable little critters, I always try to preserve them. Now the deer, that's just venison steak on the hoof to me. And I probably had legal cause to shoot it because it was inside my property doing damage, somewhere... I've never shot a deer in my life. Keep telling my neighbor to set up a .30 cal on a tripod.
Ed
