SUNNYSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD - While the elk rut has wound down and life among the herds is settling down and returning to a more placid existence, another of our neighbors has geared up and is in full swing. 

The mule deer season typically begins around mid-October and lasts into the beginning of December. Specific times depend on location, with some ruts beginning as late as December or early January in the southwestern US, but locally, ours is currently at about its peak.

Mule deer are one of the more commonly seen members of the deer family in this area. While elk tend to be a bit more wary of humans, mule deer, like the moose, are not nearly as shy of humans and our habitations, and can be seen most anywhere, typically in smaller herds.  

Since the rut occurs towards the end of hunting season, we are lucky to be able to enjoy some of the action a bit more up close than with the elk, since the deer are so much less leery of humans. As with the elk, the mule deer know where they are safe from hunters, and can often be found frequenting yards and neighborhoods at this time of year, bringing their rut fairly “close to home” for us to observe.

Rut activities of the mule deer have some basic similarities to those of the other members of the deer family. While not nearly as dramatic as the bugling of the elk, mule deer bucks do vocalize their intentions with grunts, snorts, and a guttural clicking sound used when they find a doe that is ready to mate. Sparring is also common among the bucks, and as the rut gets into full swing, actual battles between competing males can be observed as they vie for their dominance and right to pass along their genes.  

One trait that mule deer and white-tailed deer share that differs a good bit from their elk and moose kin is the obvious swelling of their necks. While the larger members of the family may increase neck size to a small degree, both mule deer and white tails exhibit a much larger swell – in some cases, nearly doubling the usual thickness of the neck. This swelling and increased muscle mass, driven by a large seasonal boost of testosterone, provides extra strength and support as the bucks spar and battle. It also likely aids in a buck’s attractiveness as a mate to the does.

During my many years of living in the Sunnyside neighborhood of Nederland, I have had the great pleasure of enjoying these beautiful neighbors at all times of the year. The “neighborhood” herd has been a common sight as they ambled from yard to yard. In my 15+ years, they became an extended family to me, I got to know the elders early on, and spent time with many generations as they grew up. This relationship, and their understanding that I was not a threat, allowed me some incredibly intimate experiences.

This image was captured during my last year in the neighborhood, and one of the most amazing for me in terms of observing the autumnal behaviors of the herd. They had been spending the better part of a week among the immediately surrounding homes and yards, often bedding down in my own yard for the night. I was able to enjoy most of those evenings with the camera, out on either my front or back deck, as the clan casually grazed while a few anxious young males attempted to attract a mate.

The first night I personally witnessed their “arrival” for the week, the main herd of does was being followed through my side yard by a handful of younger bucks. Not long after I made my way outside to spend some time with them, this handsome elder strode through the brush into view. 

Being one of the herd alphas, his presence immediately caused an alert, sending everyone into a bit of a scurry for distance, including myself. With a few pronounced grunts and snorts, he confidently strode towards the does, keeping a sharp and wary eye on me as he let everyone know who was boss.

No battling took place that evening, as he was obviously regarded as the “top dog” by all clan bucks. His was a stunning and commanding presence on the stage that was my home. I still look back with an awed memory, recalling the beautiful and impressive drama unfolding as the clan interacted in this annual ritual.  

This evening and the following few days stand as one of my all-time favorite intimate encounters with our spectacular wild neighbors here on the edge of the wilderness. 

For additional information about James DeWalt Photography, check out https://jamesdewaltphotography.com.