Deer Hunting Season--Stay Safe Babies

Well, here it is: deer hunting season in the northland of Minnesota in November of 2015!

And luckily, for these triplet babies and mama, only bucks can be taken this year.

Mama deer with with her triplet fawns crossing our driveway in Angora, Minnesota on August 10, 2015.

As you might remember, I first saw these kinda rare triplets at the end of my driveway on August 10, 2015.

It’s quite common for whitetail deer to have twins, but a bit rarer to see triplets, so I feel blessed to have watched these guys grow up on our property.

Luckily, I have been able to take more pictures of them, tracking their movements and walking throughout the property over the last several months.

Doe with her spotted triplet fawns August 24, 2015 in our field in northern Minnesota.

Here they are again in the field out behind our house on August 24th, with their spots beginning to fade, but still visible.

I got too close with the camera and spooked the mama deer and her triplets October 2015.

I spooked the little family when I got too close to them on October 24th. They have been growing quite a bit over the last few months.

I haven’t been feeding them at all, but will start feeding them again during the winter, when times are tough and food is scarce.

I did notice, though, that there’s still one of the triplets that’s a little smaller than the other two.

Doe with deer triplets in late October 2015.

This picture was taken a bit later on October 30th; they’ve been growing quite a bit.

They have been running around chasing each other and even posturing a bit for dominance.

It’s so enjoyable for me to sit on the back deck and watch their antics.

What a treat for me; they seem to realize I’m not a threat and have been sticking fairly close to the house.

Mama doe with her triplet fawns in November 2015 on opening hunting season. Babies and mama are OK, since it's only buck season in Minnesota this year.

This is the most recent picture I’ve taken of the triplets and mom, from the 2015 deer-hunting season opening day.

With the ban against shooting does this year, and bucks being the only ones to harvest, these babies are safe with mama for at least another year!

Hopefully, they will all watch out for cars and wolves too and live to be big, strong, healthy deer.

Believe me, I’ll be watching for any shed antlers from them to use in my antler basketry. But of course, at this young age, I can’t tell what sex the triplets are.

Perennial garden getting prepared for winter with hay mulch. November 2015.

I sure do hope they stay away from my perennial flower and herb garden, too. But it’s already been one of their favorite places to walk through, no matter what I put up to deter them.

See all the “caution” ribbon? Like the deer can read, huh? I’m covering the garden with hay in just a few minutes to protect my perennials from the cold winter temps. This is just more of the blessings of country life that we all love and adore. :~)