This is the third in my series "Getting to know you" as in the first of the series, it is intended to bring attention to some of the animals of our forests, I hope you enjoy the series, have fun with the puzzles and learn something new, while participating in this great sport of geocacheing.
Stop That guy he's making off with the cache.
As you can see this fellow was rooting around and got the cache hooked on a tine of his large horns, when he realized it was there he gave his head a shake, the cache went flying, and I was able to retrieve it. The cache is a regular lock n lock container painted camo. and contains an assortment of trading items and an appropriate FTF prize.
This cache is dedicated to the keen sensed but inquisitive Mule Deer: The cache is not at the posted co-ordinates, in order to locate the final cache you will need to read the text below. Take the first digit of both the numbers that represent the approximate days of the gestation period, multiply this number by 10 and add the result to the last three digits of the posted North co-ordinates, let this represent ABC. Now take the two digits of the first number that represents the approximate time after birth the fawns are weaned, multiply this number by 10, then add 36, now subtract the result from the last three digits of the posted West co-ordinates, let this number represent DEF. The cache is located at N49 04.ABC W121 42.DEF.
The cache is located near a de-activated FSR (Borden Creek FSR). Drive to the suggested parking area, follow the trail heading along the west side of Borden Creek, before it swings to the right, you will see just how high the water has been at some time in the past, quite impressive for a small stream. This is an interesting trail which takes a NW direction, and continues on after reaching the cache.
The mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a deer whose habitat is in the western half of North America. It gets its name from its large mule-like ears. Its closest relative is the Black Tailed Deer. The two species often share natural habitats, and can be mistaken for one another. The most noticeable differences between the two are the color of their tails and their antlers. The mule deer's tail is black tipped. Mule deer antlers "fork" as they grow rather than growing and expanding forward. Each year a buck's antlers start to grow in spring and are shed after mating season from mid-January to mid-April. Mule bucks also tend to grow somewhat larger than their white-tailed counterparts, particularly in cold climates, and have somewhat more prominent ears.
Instead of running, mule deer move with a bounding leap (stotting) with all four feet coming down together.
Seasonal Behavior:
In addition to movements related to available shelter and food, the breeding cycle is important in understanding deer behavior. The "rut" or mating season usually begins in the fall as does go into estrus for a period of a few days and males become more aggressive, competing for mates. Does may mate with more than one buck and go back into estrus within a month if they do not mate. The gestation period is approximately 190–200 days, with fawns born in the spring, staying with their mothers during the summer and being weaned in the fall after approximately 60–75 days. A buck's antlers fall off during the winter, to grow again in preparation for the next season's rut.
I took this picture from my canoe at about 20ft in Manning Park a couple of years ago. Look at the size of those ears.
Foraging:
Mule deer prefer "edge" habitats and tend to move up or down with their preferred foods. Mule deer rarely travel far from water or forage, and tend to bed down within easy walking distance of both. Young mule deer and does tend to forage together in family groups while bucks tend to travel alone or with other bucks. Most actively foraging around dawn and dusk, they tend to bed down in protected areas mid-day, but will also forage at night in more open agricultural areas or when pressured by hunters. Repeated beds will often be scratched level, about the size of a washtub. Temporary beds will seem little more than flattened grass.