After breakfast on a recent morning, I glanced out the window and spotted a deer at the far edge of our field, approximately 300 yards away, where an open hillside borders the woods. I grabbed my binoculars for a better look and noticed something smaller move near the deer. At first I thought that I was looking at a doe and a fawn, but when the smaller thing ran away from the deer, it looked too dark in color to be a fawn. As I focused the binoculars, I realized that it was a turkey, and it wasn't alone. At least six turkeys were romping around the deer which, on closer inspection, turned out to be a young buck, either a spike horn or a fork horn. The buck kept trying to feed, while the turkeys seemed determined to prevent him from feeding. Every time the buck lowered his head to feed, the turkeys, apparently young birds, rushed in to hassle him. The buck hooked at them with his antlers and kicked at them with his hooves, sending the birds into retreat. Whenever the buck lowered his head, the turkeys charged in again. This went on for several minutes, long enough for me to hand the binoculars to my wife, so she could observe the event. Eventually the buck disappeared into the woods and the young turkeys rejoined a flock of 3 adult hens and at least a dozen youngsters. The flock lined up in single file and marched in formation out of sight.

This was the first time I¥ ever witnessed a squabble between deer and turkeys, but it's not the first time that I¥ seen wildlife confrontations. Many times I¥ seen a large group of crows (technically called a murder of crows), harassing an owl, diving and cawing at him until the owl, reluctant to fly during daylight, grudgingly retreats out of the area. I don blame crows for this behavior, because during nighttime owls sometimes hunt crows, ambushing the smaller birds on their roosts as they sleep.

Another interesting encounter I observed was when two spike horns sparred in a cornfield. When one of the little bucks won the contest, he was so impressed with himself that he jumped upon the back of a nearby doe. Not at all impressed with the victor, she kicked back with both hind hooves, sending the buck somersaulting over backwards. M

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Michael Hahn Band varies in size from a duo to a six-piece band, depending upon the size and budget of the venue. They love to make music for any occasion. For bookings call 802-754-8889.Upcoming Gigs:
Penelope Newcomb's Halloween Party in Charleston 6 to 9
Bull Wheel at Jay Peak on Saturday, January 31 from 4 to 7

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