Steps of a Deer

Steps of a Deer



Today as I walked along a freshly groomed snowmobile trail enjoy the unusually warm February day I came to notice the prints left by a deer that had traveled before at some point during the day. It could have been hours before or mere moments for all I knew but I was certain it was a path we had shared today.



As I continued down the trail my mind increasingly began to wonder where the deer had gone and what a day might be like in the woods if I were a deer. As I looked around there was not much that looked appealing to eat. There was lots of snow that covered the Earth below my feet and hiding any grass that may be worthy to eat. I could chew on bark or maybe nibble on some pine needles. What is that the deer eat?



Soon enough the prints left the trail for a path that was a well worn and had seen many other deer over the course of the winter. I stood and pondered. Where did the path go? A place to sleep, a place to eat? The only way to know was to follow along and see what was further on down the narrow path leading away from the man made trail.



I placed my first step and sunk only a little and then the second, and finally the third which didn’t sink at all. The path was just as firm as the trail. Hoof prints were easily visible but over time they had packed the snow. I walked slowly to try to stay on the narrow path but soon faltered and found myself thigh deep in the snow. I was amazed how deep I went and wondered how long it had taken to make this path so sturdy. It must be followed after each snowfall to keep it well packed. The deer seem to groom their trails too.



I regained my footing up onto the narrow path and continued to walk slowly. I had to duck here or there for a branch hanging low or a twig sticking up from below. I finally came across a place where some deer had come to rest as their scat lay in a pile right on the path before me. I guess a difference or two from the man made trail but then again if we had to step in the deep snow to take care of business I wonder how many of us would.



I continued to walk and soon saw paw prints beside the trail. They were those left by a Coyote some time ago. They continued beside the trail and even the coyote had left behind a present of scat. Full of hair from something it had eaten along its journey through the woods. A sign that life isn’t always pretty here in the woods were I walk on this warm day. We all must eat and we all have our place on the food chain. Life goes on and Nature has its way.



The path headed for a thicket of trees and so I headed there as well. I heard a noise and off scattered a couple deer that where hidden there right before my very eyes. Off they went bounding so gracefully as only deer seem to do out of the thicket and away from me too. I passed through the thicket and found a place all trampled down and much larger than the little path I had just come from just a few steps before.



Now I had entered the place of gathering. This is a place where the deer “yard” and have some protection in numbers or so it would seem. I explored around and found other paths that led to this well hidden place within the thicket.

The trick now was to remember which path was the one for me to head back out to the groomed trail. Lucky for me my boots prints are slightly different then the many hoof prints and soon I was on my way back.



I was about midway back to the trail when I felt eyes upon and after a few more steps I knew it was not my mind playing games but it was that extra sense I feel when I am connected to the World that I love so very much. I stopped and stood still but my heart beat raced faster and faster still. I slowly looked making sure to check each spot thoroughly and soon my eyes met those of a red fox 15 yards away peaking around a tree. As soon as our eyes met my heart began to slow but apparently his did not as he sprang away sprinting across the snow. It was so nimble and quick as it bounced between trees and never broke through the snow. Gone in a flash through the forest to a place unknown as I stood and smiled as yet another fox had escaped the lens of my camera.



I soon was back on the trail and heading to my car. I wondered how it must be for a deer or a moose when something chases them during the winter. They only have a chance if they can stay on their path or one of ours it would seem. Off the path and into the deep snow where the going is slow and draining on anything stuck in it. Something I know from the many times I have tried to go places with no snowshoes only to turn back and go get them. I am no match for waist deep snow and I doubt the deer or moose is for very long either.



Nature has a way and in the end it works out as it is supposed to for the circle of life to keep going. Today I was lucky enough to take the steps of a deer as part of my journey through life and learn a few things along the way. I come away with a greater appreciation for the cycle of life and the steps of a deer.