The bucks have shed their antlers (except for Buddy) in the following order:

Moki, April 6
Bash, April 9-10
Max, April 11
Mike, April 11
Spike, April 11
Murph, April 12
EGee, April 15

Minutes of the sixth Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 in Kingston, Ontario

Present: Don Murphy, President, Jane McDonald, Treasurer, Allan Park, Head Deer Keeper,
Lorraine Alderman, Annie Wilcox, Board Members
Regrets: Wendy Workman
Guest: Tasha Stewart

The meeting was called to order at 5:00pm. The Agenda for this meeting was approved as well as the minutes of the 2011 Annual General Meeting held in February 2012.

The President welcomed all present and thanked Allan and Jane for work this year. He urged the deerkeepers, Jane and Allan to prepare a list of projects, needs for the year and suggested: 1) feeding troughs, 2) leaking barn repairs 3) east side shelter. For good reasons, i.e. the health of the deer and new work commitments, his labour was not needed this year, but is always there if needed. A hay donation from neighbours may be forthcoming in 2013 from hayfields owned by Emerald Murphy. Annie Wilcox mentioned a Napanee connection if a source of square hay bales becomes hard to find.

Copies of the financial statements for the period January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012 were distributed to those present by the Treasurer, reviewed and accepted. This period saw no expenses in snow removal and last year’s payments to the vet, Dr. Brian Willows, covered the one time we needed to consult with him this year. Antler sales continue to provide almost 50% of our income. We had to purchase hay this year and were pleased with the quality of hay from Bernie and Josh Vanderzande. We have purchased 50 additional bales stored in the Vanderzande barn if winter lingers much longer.

The Head Deer Keeper thanked the Board and Don for his help repairing the barn doors in the summer. He reported on the good health of the herd with one exception…a cough noticed when hay started being fed (November) in Murph has not worsened. Vet suggested could be hay allergy or not serious chronic condition. Lorraine recommended horse anti-histamine powder in food as possibility if condition worsens and Allan agreed to check out with vet if this would be recommended for deer. Visits are welcome especially in the period April-August when deer are in velvet antlers. For safety, no hand feeding when deer are in hard antlers to prevent injury to hands and fingers of guests. Board members are invited to bring guests whenever suitable and it is not necessary to contact Allan and Jane beforehand if no feeding is to take place. Two other needs could be added to our list: 4) snow shovelling team to help create deer paths whenever there is a large amount of snow, 5) clean fill or rocks to cover the old dump so that snow fencing can be removed. Allan also shared a recent request for information about relocating zoo-raised whitetail to our sanctuary by Zoocheck. We were honoured to be contacted by this organization.

Board of Directors and Officers, 2013. The following were nominated to serve as officers in 2012: President: Don Murphy, Secretary: Wendy Workman, Treasurer: Jane McDonald.The nominations were approved by unanimous vote. Annie Wilcox and Lorraine Alderman agreed to continue serving as board members and we welcomed a junior member, Tasha Stewart, age 14, to the board.

Budget 2013. Presented and approved.

Wish List Summary:
1) Create a strong, feeding trough system
2) Repair barn roof leaks
3) Build east side shelter
4) Recruit volunteers for snow emergency team
5) Advertise or seek out clean fill (soil, rock) to cover dump contents) and remove snow fencing

The meeting was adjourned at 6:15pm.

Our AGM will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at TirNaNog in Kingston at 5pm.

This Winter (January and February until now) has been tough with high winds, large snow dumps and freezing rain. We are feeding the deer hay and grain every day (approx 500g) of corn, oats, dairy ration and sugar beets and this seems to be working well. It seems to be the best protection for all kinds of bad weather and allows the deer keepers to sleep at night.

Thanks to Michele and Eddy, we are out of antlers for this season. We are told that there are problems shipping animal products such as antlers out of the country. Because we are a charity, we are not able to offer them to our friends in USA or Australia. Sorry..

Since our last entry in July, the rains have come and the bucks are enjoying the grass sprouts that have emerged — it looks like spring all over again.

Also the bucks have begun to lose velvet, and the hard, sharp antlers that they will live with until next spring, have been revealed. Hormone levels are up as the bucks approach the fall rut. We hope there isn’t too much fighting this year as the antlers, especially the brow antlers, are very sharp and potentially lethal.

]]> http://www.fallowdeerreserve.org/2012/08/shedding-velvet-losing-drought/feed/ 0 http://www.fallowdeerreserve.org/2012/07/drought-conditions-causing-some-concern/ http://www.fallowdeerreserve.org/2012/07/drought-conditions-causing-some-concern/#comments Sat, 21 Jul 2012 12:35:04 +0000 Jane McDonald http://www.fallowdeerreserve.org/?p=375

We are facing some issues with lack of rain that has seriously affected the deer’s pasture but are happy to report that all 8 bucks are faring well. The lack of rain has reduced the number of insects bothering them this year, so that is one of the few benefits.

We have implemented the following measures:

1) There is some green pasture left (not much), so the deer are not eating hay but we are offering them a small amount to see if they are interested. When they show any interest, we will begin offering them more hay daily.

2) We are feeding them carrots and/or apples every day and a corn/oats mixture every other day.

3) The well has not yet run dry. We are offering them fresh water every day. Unused water helps to create some green pasture.

4) We have been trimming maple trees and offering the bucks branches that they devour and enjoy.

Any other suggestions are most welcome. Doing some rain salutations and dances, too!

Bash and Murph, April 2012

The whole group has dropped antlers, earlier than ever, with Mike being the last one.  Allan has found each pair and also was present when one of Mike’s antlers fell — a first for Allan!  We are selling antlers (except EGee’s) for $100 a pair. It’s a great way to support the herd. Last year we sold out so let us know if you want a pair. We just sold Bash and Murph antlers to Jason C. who has been a regular buyer since 2007. Thank you, Jason. Another regular since 2010, John C., has also told us he will purchase a pair. Photos of the shed antlers for sale are available, just ask. If available, you will also receive a picture of the deer wearing his antlers. Because they started dropping them so much earlier this year than last, my photo gallery is not complete this year.

Just after each deer loses his antlers, he tends to hide in the trees away from the group in fear of being defenseless. Now that only Mike is left with his antlers, there is less fear and they are hanging out together near the barn again.

Emma & EGee, just after losing left antler, April 6, 2012

2012

1.Bash, March 31

2.Moki, April 3

3.Murph, April 4

4.Buddy, April 4

5.EGee, April 5, 6

6.Spike, April 7

7. Max, April 7

8 Mike, April 11

2011
1.Moki, April 8
2.Bash, April 8, 9
3.Mike, April 13
4.Buddy, April 14, 15
5.EGee, April 16
6.Spike, April 16
7. Max, April 16
8. Murph, April 21, 22

2010
1. Moki, April 6
2. Bash, April 6
3. Murph, April 8
4. Buddy, April 12
5. Mike, April 15
6. Spike, April 15
7. Max, April 15, April 16
8. EGee, April 18

Moki dropped his antlers on April 3 and Murph followed him today. Three sets down and five to go.Moki dropped his antlers on April 3 and Murph followed him today. Three sets down and five to go.

Bash lost his set of antlers on Saturday, March 31, 2012. This is the earliest ever, another testament to the early spring warmth we have been experiencing this year. Even he seemed a bit surprised and at one moment he started to challenge Max to a fight and was about to charge forward when he suddenly remembered he had no antlers and began a hasty retreat. Allan had no trouble retrieving the antlers. Bash has retreated to the east end of the Reserve away from the others.