New addition

Don and Allan check out our recent purchase

Here's a picture of the horse trailer that was purchased this month for use at the Reserve. Our board of directors decided to purchase a used horse trailer when funding permitted after the incident last November when our fence was cut and deer escaped or were chased out. Valuable time was lost trying to borrow trailers after telephone tips were received about the whereabouts of the deer.

After repairs and minor modifications, this trailer will stay within the enclosure, doors open, and hopefully absorb the smells of "home" so that if we have to respond to an incident, we will have transportation that is familiar to the animals, and not a cause of added stress.

We also see the trailer providing some shelter and looking further ahead, we will be able to use it to isolate a sick or injured buck so that veterinary care or medication can be administered.

We are grateful to everyone who has purchased antlers, calendars or donated to the Reserve to help make this purchase possible.

Fairmount Homes

Residents, volunteers and staff from Fairmount Home visited the Reserve on Sunday to present us with a $100 donation officially sponsoring "EGee" a deer that many had met last summer on a visit. In return, Jane and Allan presented the residents with the antlers shed by EGee this April. The weather on Sunday was cold and windy, but there were many smiles and the visit took place in between rain showers. Thanks to Marilyn Kellar who organized the fundraising at Fairmount and brought everyone including her grandchildren to enjoy the deer. We hope to see everyone again on a sunnier day!

Thanks to Barry Rogers, Fairmount volunteer for the photo.

May 24th Fundraiser

Monique Cloutier, board member, feeds KoKo

May 24, 2009 was the "Day in the Country" created and produced by Wendy Workman to raise funds for the Reserve. Three local practitioners offered their services in tarot card reading, reiki, chakra reading, etc. to participants who also enjoyed great weather, a delicious lunch and a visit with the deer. Over $700 was raised!

Thanks to Wendy, Cheryl, Erin and Susie and to everyone who attended.

Moki meets Mike again

The presentation:
Don Murphy, left, Moki in the middle, Mike Ivanic, right

Today, Mike and Linda Ivanic visited the Reserve to receive a very special gift -- Moki's antlers which he cast off on April 14, 2009. You may recall that Mike was the bowhunter who single handedly and with great patience coaxed Moki into the horse trailer following the vandalism that allowed him to escape the Reserve last November. Check out the blog entry, "Moki's love story" for all the details.

An email from Jason, antler lover

We just received this email from Jason C. in Chatham, Ontario. Jason has purchased Gulliver's antlers every year for three years and also Murph's antlers for the past two years. By purchasing these antlers, he has supported the work of the Reserve and we appreciate his taking the time to let us know how much he enjoys these unique pieces of art created by our bucks.

I received the package last night. All looks great. I am really surprised the tines on the Gulliver antler, how they are long at the ends and kind of a cluster and twisted. I really enjoy the uniqueness of each antler. I wish I could fill my house with them. My wife might have other ideas. I was looking at the park in Quebec with all the Red Deer, moose, bear etc on the internet and it looks awesome, I really want to go. Have you been there? Do the animals come up to the vehicles as it shows in the website photos? I noticed they talk about fallow deer at this park, are some of them from your place? I would want to stop by your place also if I were going to go to this park.

...Well, as usual keep me in mind next year again. If anything else comes up you think I would be interested in, please let me know.

Thanks alot for all the antlers and years of enjoyment I will get from them.

Take care and talk to you soon

Fellow Canadian -- Jason C. and family

Update: Antlers, Mike's condition

We are happy to report that all the bucks have dropped their antlers. The process began on April 6 with Gulliver and ended on April 21, 2009 with the last set being cast off by Spike who we think is the youngest. It's always a relief when the whole herd is without antlers and on the same "playing field".

Mike, who was suffering from a large abscess on his left side at the beginning of April, is doing well these days. Time and nature took care of the growth and the only side effect seemed to be a delay in his casting off his antlers.

For those of you interested in stats, here's a comparison of dates from 2008 to 2009:

Gulliver -- April 10, 2008/April 6, 7, 2009
Max -- April 14, 2008/April 10, 2009
Mike -- April 16, 2008/April 19, 2009
Bash -- April 18, 2008/April 8, 2009
Murph -- April 19, 2008/April 7, 8, 2009
George -- April 22, 23, 2008/April 15, 2009
Buddy -- April 25, 26, 2008/April 14, 2009
KoKo -- April 29, 2008/April 15, 2009
EGee -- April 29, 2008/April 21, 2009
Moki -- April 29, May 1, 2008/April 14, 2009
Spike -- May 3, 20008/April 21, 2009

Antler sweepstakes winner!

Gulliver won the lottery again this year dropping his left antler at some time early this morning. When we checked him this afternoon, he was still holding on to his right antler.

Here is the list from 2008. The warmer weather this year has prompted the casting of Gulliver's antler four days earlier than last. We believe that the oldest buck casts off his antlers first, needing more time for the full rack to develop and harden by August in time for rutting season. By this list, Spike is our baby. Status in the herd may also affect the order that the antlers fall, who knows?

Gulliver, April 10
Max, April 14
Mike, April 16
Bash, April 18
Murph, April 19
George, April 22, 23
Buddy, April 25, 26
KoKo, April 29
EGee, April 29
Moki, April 29, May 1
Spike, May 3