Tourist Hand Feeds Wild Deer

While visiting a small town in British Columbia, this tourist had the opportunity to get very close to a small black tailed deer. The deer approached the tourist on its own, the tourist did not chase down the animal. Black tailed deer that inhabit the woodlands of the Pacific Northwest are actually a subspecies of mule deer. The black-tailed deer lives along the Pacific coast from northern and western California and north to southeastern Alaska. East of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada Ranges in Oregon and California, black-tailed deer are replaced by mule deer which have a different tail pattern. While enjoying the swimming pool at the motel, with his family, the tourist noticed the deer walking down the driveway of the motel, and towards the main office. Seeming very calm, but not too tame, the deer continued as though looking for someone. An office attendant came out from within a small room on the outside of the motel, with some type of grain mixture. The tourist was asked if they would like to feed the deer, at which he obliged. Knowing it is not common practice to feed wildlife, nerves were slightly on alert. After a few minutes of seeing how the deer was reacting, coming in close, but not too close, the deer would take some of the grain moisture from the tourists hand. The deer was very gentle, and almost vacuumed up all the feed in the hand. The main diet of these deer is quite simple, so this mixture was quite fine for the animal. During the winter and early spring, they feed on Douglas fir, western red cedar, red huckleberry, salal, deer fern, and lichens growing on trees. Late spring to fall, they consume grasses, blackberries, apples, salmonberry, salal, and maple. A family member of the videographer has a home in this small town, and deer have been seen standing on their hind legs , reaching high into an apple tree to get some apples for a snack. Although very beautiful animals, they can be a nuisance for those growing vegetable gardens in such towns. The deer can jump quite high, gaining access to bountiful gardens even when fenced. This day was one of excitement and an opportunity for some great photos. Remember, feeding wildlife can be dangerous. Always be cautious.