I woke up this morning and there was a yearling mule deer looking in our window.
The deer and three others had apparently made their way up a nearby sagebrush draw and were browsing on brush and also on the seeds left by birds at the bird feeder.
What was apparent was how these deer seemed relaxed on the edge of the subdivision. They have worn trails in the sagebrush which shows that they use them year in and year out.
What also is important to note is that there is not another Foothills subdivision for about 2 miles. Yes, there is a 2-mile-wide natural wildlife corridor between the subdivisions.
That is the key to development in the Foothills. We need big wildlife corridors going from the Boise River to the Boise Ridge. With wide corridors, deer can roam naturally and can have more open space to avoid humans.
I've been watching this small deer herd for years. They know where to find food. They know where to bed down at night to avoid the wind and weather. They know where they can get those extra munchies, like the cracked corn left for the quail and the sunflower seeds in the bird feeder or the peanut butter left for the squirrels.
The point is, wildlife can coexist with humans if we give them big enough natural areas between the roads, houses and other development. These natural areas need to be rehabilitated with bitterbrush, sagebrush and rabbitbrush to create good winter range.
Squashing housing developments together only forces out the deer. Maybe we need a law mandating two-mile wildlife corridors in the Boise Foothills.
The deer like it.
Wildlife corridors important
Submitted by Zimo on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 8:22am, updated on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 8:24am
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Avoid Humans
Zimo,
Your story is evidence deer (& other wildlife) don't necessarily want to avoid humans and subdivisions.
The green grass and the arborvitaes are quite tasty to them, not to mention the stuff you and your neighbors put out for them and their friends like peanut butter. Hint: a fed bear is a dead bear.
So a two mile corridor is not going to make much difference. They don't need it. they are just fine hanging out in your yard while there is a 2 mile corridor adjacent to you. Why are they not using the corridor to do their thing? Because your neighborhood is more tempting.
I disagree, a key to foothills development is not a 2mile corridor. If a person advocates supporting wildlife it ought to be develop the neighorhoods with wildlife in mind, i.e. deer resistant plants in the areas they are not wanted and deer habitat in areas they are wanted. Build the community park with some thickets for wind protection for the deer. Just expect deer will visit to poop on your lawns, eat the bird food, craze your dogs, and browse on your landscape shrubs. Make HOA rules not to harrass the wildlife.
Deer don't need a corridor. They will adapt to our civilization as long as we tolerate them. Evidence- deer at Albertson's parking lot, bears at East Jr High, racoons everywhere, quail everywhere (less this year).
In your perfect world of giant sagebrush corridors-- the deer will travel (at night) in and along the edge of the neighborhoods. They certainly won't stay in the corridors- ie the deer in your window. Why worry about insisting on such a big corridor?
I'm just waiting for the wolves to cruise through Parkcenter. ;-)
Aren't...
you there on the weekends?
;-p
Yaah, I got yer drift.
Deer got thrown out of a Boise bar...
It was drunk, obnoxious, annoying chicks and refused to leave the stage or sing it's karoke selection, "Tiny Dancer". Boise Police were notified and removed the offender at 12:17 am Friday morning. He is lodged in the Ada County Jail awaiting arraignment. He was subsequently charged with using false ID claiming to be "Blitzen" from "North Pole". Other charges were not disclosed immediately due to concerns over proper jurisdiction.