Long Island Deer

[dpg]

Originally Posted by webmaster

I took this picture on Long Island in the 90's, before they first thinned the herd. As you can see, the deer had no fear of me and would look for and approach cars looking for a treat. When they did thin the herd it must have been easy pickins.

I too recall some years back going to the island and bringing them marshmallows and other treats. Some would come right up to the open car window and take them from your hand. I suppose I was adding to the issue of them getting used to easy food but at the time it was a kick to do. I'm all for keeping them "thinned" out for their own good but it just seems sad to not see them around like years past.

[tis]

I remember that. It was hard to drive through. The deer were everywhere.

[Nagigator]

We would go down to Long Island around dusk, throw some apples on the side of the road, and wait for the deer. It wouldn't take long, they would come out of the woods to eat the apples. I got some really great photos of deer this way.........

[Pricestavern]

3 years ago there were a lot of deer on Rattlesnake. Our neighbor actually went into his workshop under his cabin in the Fall and surprised a fairly large group of deer taking shelter there! When we went up in the winter later that year, there were deer tracks all around our cabin.
2 years ago, suddenly there were none to be found. It was thought that the coyotes scared/ate them off the island.
This past summer, while hiking the island trail, we spotted two good sized bucks keeping an eye on us as we passed by them +/- 100 yds away.

Like the acorns and the black flies, it all cycles. Am curious to see the situation up there this February during our annual snowshoe trek out there.