The 2013 Pennsylvania firearms deer season came to an end at nightfall today. When I crawled out of my warm bed this morning the sky was clouded over and just before dawn snow began falling. Throughout the morning snow showers intermittently filled the air with steady snow beginning soon
after lunch.
Throughout the day the occasional sound of gunfire, muffled by the falling snow, thudded in the distance. With the winter storm upon them I found some deer feeding in heavy cover where they were protected from the cold wind.
On this particular afternoon the deer were feeding on the dried leaves of wild sunflower. This year we experienced a near total failure of the acorn crop.
As darkness descended the most dangerous time of the year for our local whitetails passed. Although there are a few weeks of archery/flintlock hunting season for them to contend with after Christmas, the winter weather will be a greater threat than the hunters.
Some great, tight, shots on those deer. Can't beat a long lens for wildlife.
ReplyDeleteSo glad they are having some respite. It does look like winter feed will be scarce for them. I do so like these deer in the snow shots.
ReplyDeleteNice shots Coy. I'm getting soft as I get older. I think when you spend time close to an animal you can't help but become attached. I'm glad rifle season is over.
ReplyDeleteNice shots, Coy. Love that last one.
ReplyDeleteAwesome shots of the deer! I can not wait to see the end of the bow season in Maryland..
ReplyDeletenice photos, save the biodiversity ,save the deer.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful animals. These are wonderful captures. I imagine the deer population will be suffering, along with other species, from the scarcity of acorns.
ReplyDeleteIf it's not guns than it's the weather.Wildlife has a really hard time of it,especially in winter.
ReplyDeleteAwsome Pictures!
ReplyDelete